Join Loon Echo Land Trust’s community hikes throughout March in Bridgton, Casco and Sebago to get outside, enjoy the snow and make connections. Visit lelt.org/events to learn more. Contributed / Loon Echo Land Trust

Get outside with community hikes throughout March

Loon Echo Land Trust offers four hikes or trail walks through the month of March, with snowshoes available to borrow for free.

Join a casual meet-up at Pondicherry Park at 12:15 p.m. Monday, March 13. No registration is required. The group will meet at the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge entrance to the park.

On Friday, March 17, at 10 a.m., go for a 1.5-mile hike on an easy slope at Mayberry Hill Preserve in Casco.

Celebrate the Spring Equinox on March 20 with a hike up Bald Pate Mountain. Meet at 4:45 p.m., bring a flashlight or headlamp and a favorite poem or quote about spring to share.

Celebrate the Spring Equinox on March 20 with a hike up Bald Pate Mountain. Contributed / Loon Echo Land Trust

Finally, join LELT Stewardship Manager Jon Evans at 10 a.m. March 24 for an educational walk around Tiger Hill Community Forest in Sebago to learn about signs of invasive pests like the emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid.

To learn more and to register for applicable events, contact maggie@lelt.org or visit lelt.org/events. In case of poor weather, cancellations will be posted on the website and the LELT Facebook page.

Leadership award
deadline extended

The deadline for nominations for the Al Glover Nonprofit Leadership Award has been extended to Friday, March 17. The award, named after Bridgton resident Al Glover and sponsored by the Bridgton Lions Club, honors an individual who has given outstanding service to any of the nonprofit organizations serving the greater Bridgton area. The person nominated may be a staff member, a volunteer or a board member.

The organization’s board should forward their nominee’s qualifications via regular mail or email to Bridgton Lion’s Club, Al Glover Award Committee, P.O. Box 103, Bridgton, ME 04009 or brentuchon3@gmail.com.

The final selection will be announced by April 10 and the winner will be honored at a dinner on May 8. The organization they represent will receive a $1000 grant.

Chewonki mammal
program at library

The Chewonki Natural History Traveling Program, “Mammals of Maine,” will be held at the Bridgton Public Library from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 29. The interactive program introduces participants to mammals native to the state and how they live, adapt and play unique roles in the local ecosystem.  The program features a live animal, and skulls, skins and other items also will be available to study. There’s no fee to attend, but only 30 spaces are available so those interested are encouraged to reserve a place by contacting the library at 647-2472, bplreference@bridgton.lib.me.us, or to stop by the library circulation desk.

Grants support
eco programs

Projects at two local nonprofits have been chosen to receive 2023 Casco Bay Community Grants awards from the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership. 

Lakes Environmental Association received a grant for “Woodland Owner Appreciation Day” to connect forestland owners to natural resource professionals to promote the benefits of keeping and maintaining forests on their land.

Loon Echo Land Trust will use its grant for “Community-Led Open Space Planning in the Lake Region of Maine,” to  support the planning process and opportunities in Bridgton as well as in Casco. LELT also hopes to develop a model that can be used in other Lakes Region communities.

The Community Grants program aims to support partnerships and projects that promote community involvement with Casco Bay and its watershed.

 Perri Black can be contacted at perrilb@gmail.com.