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Wildlife Park Press ReleasesFor Immediate Release Contact: Lisa Kane Telephone: (207) 287-3303 June 1, 2011 - Biodiversity Institute @ Maine Wildlife Park Sat. June 11 May 23, 2011 - Ancient Ones Living History @ Maine Wildlife Park Sat. June 4 May 16, 2011 - Annual Friends Plant Sale @ Maine Wildlife Park May 28-30 May 10, 2011 - On Saturday, May 21st, from 11am-2pm, staff from WIND OVER WINGS, a raptor education center, will be the featured presenter. May 3, 2011 - On Saturday, May 14 from 11am-2pm, staff from the UMAINE 4-H CAMP at BRYANT POND will be our featured presenter. April 25, 2011 - Bear Bonanza happening from 11:00am to 2:00pm, Saturday May 7 April 12, 2011 - The Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 in Gray will definitely be opening for the 2011 season on Friday April 15th this year. April 6, 2011 - The Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 in Gray will be making every attempt to open for the 2011 season on Friday April 15th this year. November 3, 2010 - Thursday, November 11 - Veterans Day/Closing Day for the Park October 12, 2010 - 2010 HALLOWEEN-FEST - Friday & Saturday, October 22nd & 23rd August 30, 2010 - Rick Charette Concert, Saturday September 11, 11am-12noon, rain or shine August 30, 2010 - National Grandparents Day – all day! August 23, 2010 - Landscape for Wildlife with Skillins Greenhouses August 9, 2010 - Freeport Wild Bird Supply August 3, 2010 - Maine Bowhunters Association Youth Archery July 26, 2010 - Honor the Animals Native American Pow Wow July 19, 2010 - Biodiversity Institute July 12, 2010 - Wear Your PJs Night Visit - Saturday July 24th 7:30pm-9:30pm July 7, 2010 - Maine Warden Service Day June 22, 2010 - Meet a Live Bald Eagle June 17, 2010 - The Ancient Art of Falconry June 7, 2010 - Tim Sample and MDIFW Day– A special combo on Saturday, June 19th! June 1, 2010 - Fly Tie and Cast with Sebago Trout Unlimited May 24, 2010 - Trails End & Avian Taxidermy May 18, 2010 - Friends Annual Plant Sale May 10, 2010 - Loki Clan Wolf Refuge May 4, 2010 - Endangered Species Coalition April 26, 2010 - Learn About Lobsters April 21, 2010 -Moose Madness Day April 5, 2010 - Maine Wildlife Park opening Thursday, April 15; new exhibits and audio tour! The Maine Wildlife Park is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The park exists to promote an understanding and awareness of the wildlife, conservation and habitat protection programs and projects of MDIFW. A summer series of wildlife exhibits and demonstrations provided for our visitors are offered throughout the season at the MAINE WILDLIFE PARK, located on Route 26 in Gray. 'Summer Wildlife Days' are held on consecutive weekends through the summer, and are sponsored by the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park. Presenters featuring a variety of wildlife topics set up their exhibits and demonstrations from roughly 11:00am to 2:00pm (unless otherwise noted) on most Saturdays and some full weekends. We encourage our visitors to stop by, observe, ask questions and even participate in some activities. A popular and unusual ‘Night Visit’ is also scheduled, when the park opens on a moonlight evening for a Saturday July 16th ‘All About Owls’ Night Visit with the owls of Chewonki: from 7:30-9:30pm. The ever growing and very popular “Halloween Fest” will run on both Friday and Saturday nights this year, October 21 and 22, from 6-9pm. The Wildlife Park Nature Store is full of new wildlife and nature merchandise for all ages; and the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park ‘Snack Shack’ sells ice cream, soda and light snacks, with all monies raised donated to the Wildlife Park for wildlife exhibit improvements and new construction. The Maine Wildlife Park has over 30 species of native wildlife on display, plus wildlife gardens, nature trails, a fish hatchery and other interactive exhibits and displays. The park is open daily from April 15 through November 11th from 9:30am-4:30pm; visitors must leave the premises by 6:00pm. Admission to the park is free for ages 3 and under; $5.00 ages 5-12; $7.00 for adults, and $5.00 for seniors. Groups of 15 or more are $3.50 per person. Bring a picnic and spend the day! Family and Community Season Passes are available, and are an incredible bargain for families and groups that visit the park several times over the course of the summer. For more information about any of these programs, please call the Maine Wildlife Park at 207-657-4977; or visit us out online at www.mainewildlifepark.com , www.mefishwildlife.com or on Facebook! GEMS OF ROUTE 26: Rich in culture, ecology and history, the Maine Wildlife Park, Shaker Village, Poland Spring Inn and Resort, Poland Spring Preservation Society, Poland Spring Preservation Park, Harvest Hill Farm and the grounds of McLaughlin Garden truly are “The Gems of 26.” Western Maine. Route 26 connects Western Maine to the rest of the State via Maine Turnpike’s exit 63 in Gray; meandering through gorgeous countryside and boasting culturally, historically, and ecologically significant attractions. Just thirty minutes north of Portland, a family can spend a day or several days visiting all five important and interesting destinations for very little money – a true value. www.gemsof26.com Biodiversity Institute @ Maine Wildlife Park Sat. June 11 On Saturday, June 11, from 11am-2pm, meet some of the folks from Maine’s Biodiversity Institute in Gorham - a leader here, in many areas of the country and the world in creative and interactive science education. Biodiveristy works hard to personalize wildlife issues among students, educators, scientists and the public. By harnessing the power of state-of-the-art technology, people are connected to wildlife and ecological science through the use of BRI wildlife webcams, with 24-hour live streaming video of nesting eagles, loons, osprey and peregrine falcons. This is coupled with unique, dedicated blogs by expert BRI scientists to better educate the viewer. BRI is also proactive in reaching out to the community by presenting at schools, lake associations, and other public venues. As our society struggles to maintain clean and healthy ecosystems, the powerful and neutral tool of science should be more utilized. BRI is part of a paradigm shift to change the interplay of science and decision-making. BRI scientists are uniquely qualified to translate scientific data into usable information for policy makers and stakeholders, as well as schoolchildren and their teachers, as they grapple with the daunting environmental challenges of our day. Join a BRI investigator with an interesting display focusing on this group’s work with Maine wildlife, from loons to osprey, to peregrine falcons and eagles. www.briloon.org Ancient Ones Living History @ Maine Wildlife Park Sat. June 4 For much of the day on Saturday, June 4, THE ANCIENT ONES, a living history group in full period dress, will set up a real Living History Camp from the late 1700s - 1800s They will put up a canvas tent & keep a variety of demonstrations going on all day long, including fire starting, cooking, trading, tomahawk throwing, flint knapping, flintlock muskets, weaving and the like. Come to see what day to day life in Maine really looked like 200 years ago! There will be many great photo opportunities; and the option to try several of the activities. www.theancientonesofmaine.com Annual Friends Plant Sale @ Maine Wildlife Park May 28-30 From Saturday May 28th through Memorial Day Monday, the 30th, the FRIENDS OF THE MAINE WILDLIFE PARK will be conducting their annual and extremely popular annual plant sale. The Friends volunteer group helps out the wildlife park in so many ways; this year fundraising specifically for a new mountain lion exhibit – on which work has already begun!
Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park's greenhouse Learn more about the Friends’ ongoing projects and enjoy great bargains on spring plants, including annual and perennial flowers, vegetables & floral baskets grown in their own greenhouses! Just in time for spring planting and Memorial Day baskets, these healthy lush plants will be available all day each day. Any that are left over will continue to be sold in front of the Snack Shack well into June or until they are gone. www.friendsofmainewildlifepark.com On Saturday, May 21st, from 11am-2pm, staff from WIND OVER WINGS, a raptor education center, will be the featured presenter. Hope Douglas founded this nonprofit organization about twenty years ago. Recently relocated from Connecticut to central Maine, this nonprofit raptor education center’s goal is to provide audiences with close up opportunities to see & learn more about our feathered predators.
Peregrine falcon Live birds featured today will include an Eastern Screech-Owl, a Peregrine Falcon (the fastest animal on earth), a Red-tailed Hawk & a Great Horned Owl - who will amaze you with her ability to flap her wings silently.
Screech owl All of these birds are ambassadors for their species, overcoming serious permanent injuries to lead them into their lives in education. www.windoverwings.org On Saturday, May 14 from 11am-2pm, staff from the UMAINE 4-H CAMP at BRYANT POND will be our featured presenter. Have you been looking for a great summer camp experience for your kids? Bring them to the park today to try activities such as ‘Geology Rocks!’, ‘Fire & Forts’; & a ‘Wild Things’ Scavenger Hunt to get a taste of the fun your kids could have at summer camp on beautiful Lake Christopher in western Maine. For over 50 years, the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond (formerly the Maine Conservation School) has strengthened children's relationship to the natural world with a combination of inspired outdoor fun, practical woods-wise skills, and "hands-on" conservation education. Helping young people learn to take care of our natural world and themselves when they are in it are our most important goals. www.extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond Bear Bonanza happening from 11:00am to 2:00pm, Saturday May 7 The kick off day for the Maine Wildlife Park’s weekend summer event schedule is Saturday May 7, with a Bear Bonanza happening from 11:00am to 2:00pm! The park’s 3 resident black bears are fully awake after a long winter’s sleep. Full size mounts of an IFW black bear and a grizzly bear on loan from Nokomis High School will be exhibited, and there will even a 6’ x 7’ polar bear rug with other polar bear artifacts from Bowdoin College’s Peary-Macmillan Arctic Museum on display for the day! Bowdoin will also have several large mounted photos of polar bears in their native environment. Maine Wildlife Park Mascot Kennebago Bear and the Maine Forest Service’s Smokey the Bear will make appearances several times for photo ‘opps’ with the kids! Smokey Bear will have a limited supply of Smokey Bear Sillybandz for children who agree to help him prevent forest fires. The Forest Service will also have their Wildland Urban Interface Simulator set up - a new educational display that shows homeowners how to mitigate the dangers of wildfire near their residences. The ModelTech U-Wise wildfire simulator uses simulated fire, smoke and lightning to generate scenarios showing what happens when a wildland fire occurs near a home. It also demonstrates how quickly fire can spread to homes without adequate defensible space. Using a remote control, a Forest Ranger can create a simulated lightning strike on a tree causing smoke and fire near the model house. Various moveable models, such as an oil can and barbecue grill, shows how objects can increase danger near a home. This display is used a part of an comprehensive prevention program to demonstrate to homeowners how they can reduce the risk of a wildland fire damaging or destroying their residences, by using proper building materials and maintaining adequate defensible space.An IFW Bear biologist will have the ‘tools of the trade’ used to manage our black bear population – the largest on the eastern seaboard, and chain saw artist Tim Picket will be chain saw carving a really tall bear from a 10 foot tall standing white pine tree trunk - right in the middle of the picnic area! Athletes from the UMaine Black Bears and the Bowdoin College Polar Bears are making appearances as well! There will be a variety of bear – related games and activities for the kids. Bring a lunch and your cameras to enjoy the bonanza of bears today! The Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 in Gray will definitely be opening for the 2011 season on Friday April 15th this year. There is still some deep snow in shaded areas, the parking lot may be a bit soft, and all the nature trails may not be open, but for the most part the park is readyto start the season! With over 104,000 visitors in 2010, we are looking forward to welcoming both returning and new folks this year. Visitors will be enjoying the 6 new small mammal exhibits featuring porcupines, fisher, woodchuck, raccoon, skunk and opossum. Under construction this year is a new mountain lion exhibit, funded by the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park. The free, guided audio tour of the park’s exhibits accessible via visitor’s own personal cell phones has been updated for 2011. Last year over 7100 people dialed in to hear more about our wildlife. After dialing the access number, 207-228-1700, a short recording gives fun wildlife facts, information and history about the individual animal(s) you are watching. The only charge is based on the minutes plan with the cell phone service provider. The kick off day for our summer event schedule is May 7, with a Bear Bonanza! Full size mounts of a black bear and grizzly bear will be exhibited, and there will even a polar bear rug and other polar artifacts! Bear Mascots Kennebago Bear and Smokey the Bear will be available for photo ‘opps’! An IFW Bear biologist will have the ‘tools of the trade’ used to manage our black bear population, and chain saw artist Tim Picket will be chain saw carving a bear from a 10 foot tall standing white pine tree trunk right in the picnic area!The wildlife park will be open just in time for school vacation week in April, so pack up the kids and a picnic and plan a day long visit. There’s plenty to see and do, with lots of room for the kids to roam. Hope to see you this year!
The Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 in Gray will be making every attempt to open for the 2011 season on Friday April 15th this year. However, because of continuing deep snow cover and temperatures that are limiting melting, we are advising our visitors to check our web site at www.mainewildlifepark.com or call 657-4977 to make sure we are able to make our traditional opening date. We are making every effort but the weather needs to cooperate with us! With over 104,000 visitors and another record-breaking season in 2010, we are looking forward to welcoming both returning and new folks this year. Visitors will be enjoying the 6 new small mammal exhibits featuring porcupines, fisher, woodchuck, raccoon, skunk and opossum. Under construction this year is a new mountain lion exhibit, funded by the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park. The free, guided audio tour of the park’s exhibits accessible via visitor’s own personal cell phones has been updated for 2011. Last year over 7100 people dialed in to hear more about our animals. After dialing the access number, 207-228-1700, a short recording gives fun wildlife facts, information and history about the individual animal(s) you are watching. The only charge is based on the minutes plan with the cell phone service provider. The kick off day for our summer event schedule is May 7, with a Bear Bonanza! Full size mounts of a black bear and grizzly bear will be exhibited, and there will even a polar bear rug and other polar artifacts! Bear Mascots Kennebago Bear and Smokey the Bear will be available for photo ‘opps’! An IFW Bear biologist will have the ‘tools of the trade’ used to manage our black bear population, and chain saw artist Tim Picket will be chain saw carving a bear from a 10 foot tall standing white pine tree trunk right in the picnic area! The wildlife park plans to open just in time for school vacation in April, so pack up the kids and a picnic and plan a day long visit. There’s plenty to see and do, with lots of room for the kids to roam. Hope to see you this year! Thursday, November 11 - Veterans Day/Closing Day for the Park The Maine Wildlife Park will close for the 2010 season on Thursday, November 11th at 5:00pm. Since Thursday is also Veteran’s Day, the park will recognize and thank all past and present Maine military personnel and veterans for their service to our country by offering them an individual free adult admission to the park on our final day of operation for 2010. For the 2nd year in a row, the wildlife park has seen increased overall attendance, with record-breaking numbers at big events such as the annual “Nite Hike’, Pow-Wow, Rick Charette concert and Halloween Fest. We would like to thank all of our patrons for visiting us during this season, and hope to see everyone back in 2011. So, there are only a few more days to see and photograph our big bull moose sporting a 53” rack of antlers. You can also check out the bears, fattening and furring up for their winter sleep, appreciate the deer with their rich brown winter coats and full sets of antlers, and admire the foxes and coyotes in their luxurious winter fur. 2010 HALLOWEEN-FEST - Friday & Saturday, October 22nd & 23rd The ever growing and very popular 7th annual “Halloween-Fest” will run on both Friday and Saturday nights this year, October 22nd and 23rd, from 6-9pm under the light of the rising full moon. Adults and kids alike should wear their costumes and get into the spirit of Halloween, while enjoying a crisp fall evening with our wildlife.
This year there will be 2 Haunted Hay Rides running simultaneously every 5 minutes from 6-9pm. Wander throughout the park by the light of dozens of jack ‘0 lanterns, take the Leaf Pile Plunge, Hunt for Eerie Night Noises, Listen to Spooky Stories, join the Costume Contests, try out Pumpkin Bowling, have your Face Painted for Free; and enjoy Cider and Donuts at the Snack Shack. Everyone can have their pictures taken with our mascots Moxie Moose and Kennebago Bear in full costume!
We strongly suggest you bring your own flashlights with batteries fully charged! The park will provide red cellophane to cover your flashlight beams, which will help improve your night vision. The regular admission fee will be charged for these special night visits. This special program will be postponed from Friday to Saturday if raining hard; call the park automated voice mail @ 657-4977 for up to date information on the days of the festival. The Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open for snacks and souvenirs! Rick Charette Concert, Saturday September 11, 11am-12noon, rain or shine As a singer and songwriter, Rick Charette has been capturing the hearts and spirits of young and old alike with his delightful and inspiring children's songs. His performances blend original contemporary pop music and lyrics with imaginative activities that generate all kinds of audience participation. Many of the songs he will perform at the park will be about all kinds of Maine Animals!
Last year, over 1000 people came out to hear Rick and see the show under the tall white pines of the Park picnic area. This year’s show should be even better! Rick graduated from the University Of Southern Maine with degrees in Music Education and English. Elementary teachers across the country use his music in their classrooms to enhance and facilitate their language arts programs. He has been a featured speaker at the Northeast Whole Language Conference, a keynote speaker at the National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference in Washington, D.C. as well as other education conferences around the United States. Rick Charette travels throughout the U.S. and Canada performing at schools and concert halls. His music has been featured on Peter Pan and Walt Disney Records and been cited in Entertainment Weekly and Billboard magazines. The television broadcast on NBC-TV affiliates in New England entitled "An Evening with Rick Charette" won the National IRIS Award for programming excellence. His music receives airplay on such radio networks as KTOO-FM, Juneau, Alaska which syndicates its program "We Like Kids" on 35 public radio stations around the U.S. Concert excerpts of his songs are a regular feature on "The Learning Channel" (national cable). Rick has released ten albums, two children's picture books and two live concert videos, which are distributed nationally and have sold over a quarter million copies to date. Rick will sign autographs and sell CDs after this live show. Regular park admission fees will be in effect. Bring your cameras and your lawn chairs! This wonderful children’s concert is locally sponsored by Gray Physical Therapy, US & Co. Computers, Harvest Hill Farms and other local businesses. The wildlife park is grateful for their support! National Grandparents Day – all day! On Sunday September 12th and in honor of grandparents everywhere, the Maine Wildlife Park will offer free admission to Grandparents today who are accompanied by their grandchildren; while regular entrance fees for all other family members will be in effect. The first Governor, Arch Moore, established ‘Grandparents Day’ in 1973 in West Virginia. In the same year, a state Senator introduced a Grandparents Day Resolution in the United States Senate. The resolution languished in committee while its grassroots supporters turned to the media to garner support. They also began contacting governors, senators, and congressmen in every state. They sent letters to churches, businesses, and numerous national organizations interested in senior citizens. In 1978, five years after its West Virginia inception, the United States Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation. (September was chosen for the holiday, to signify the "autumn years" of life.) Today millions throughout the United States observe this event, begun by only a few. Make a plan to bring your grandparents, and the grandkids to the wildlife park for this special day. Landscape for Wildlife with Skillins Greenhouses On Saturday September 4th, from 11am to 2pm, expert native landscaping staff will be on hand from Skillin’s Greenhouses in Cumberland with a variety of potted native shrubs, trees and plants that are suitable for planting in your yards; and are great for providing wildlife food and shelter as well! Songbirds, small mammals and even some reptiles and amphibians can benefit from providing the proper natural food, water and shelter in ‘micro-habitats’ around your home. In addition, these plantings can beautify your property; and provide windbreaks or heating and cooling benefits to your home. Fall is still a fine time to transplant new shrubs and trees, and better yet, this great selection of native plants will be ON SALE!! Skillin’s will also have handouts and other native ‘wildscaping’ information available. You can also visit the wildlife park’s Demonstration Wildlife Garden, and Wetlands and Wildlife Trails, to see and learn more about the native plants that benefit a variety of Maine wildlife. Freeport Wild Bird Supply Do you enjoy observing wild birds? Do you feed the birds? Do you enjoy watching backyard birds and wildlife? Then this is the demonstration and exhibit for you! On Saturday August 28 from 11am to 2pm, meet Jeannette and Derek Lovitch, owners and operators of Freeport Wild Bird Supply - Maine's source for all of your birding and bird-feeding needs, from seed to binoculars, feeders to gifts.
Hairy woodpecker at a feeder Locally owned and operated, Freeport Wild Bird Supply strives to be more than a place to buy seed, but a place to make friends, exchange information, and enjoy birds and nature together. Jeannette and Derek have developed careers working with birds as biologists and naturalists. Now, they bring their knowledge and passion for birds to Freeport to share with everyone. Maine Bowhunters Association Youth Archery On Saturday August 14 from 11am to 2pm, join Jerome Richard, President of the Maine BowHunters Association, and his wife Tina, both certified Firearm & Archery Safety Instructors for the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; for some hands-on fun with archery! Last year, they had a constant stream of excited kids waiting to try their hand at hitting the bulls-eye. They are certainly hoping for the same or better turn out this year!
Hands on training at the Wildlife Park Archery has had a long history in recreational sports; and participants range from grade-school age children to senior citizens. Archery is an extremely safe sport, easily learned, a great hobby, and is becoming increasingly popular in Maine. The Richards will set up targets, showcase a variety of bows, and provide instruction so you and your kids can try your hands at archery. This is an activity that appeals to families, both genders and all age groups; as well as an extremely fast growing sport; and is a new way to approach both traditional target shooting and hunting opportunities. Come and try it out to see if your family is ready to pick up a great new sport. Honor the Animals Native American Pow Wow On Saturday and Sunday, August 7 and 8 from 9:30am to 4:30pm, representatives of several Maine & New England tribes will be at the park for two full days with native dancers, drummers, craft vendors, singers and traditional food booths. Representatives of the Maine Abenaki, MicMac & Passamaquoddy tribes will be in attendance as vendors and presenters, and Native Americans from other New England states are expected to attend this event in full regalia as well. Special events will be presented throughout each day. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about Maine’s Native American culture and heritage.
Chris, Larry, and Nikki A brand new feature this year will be the set up of a traditional Wiki Teepee, or Wigwam, consistent with one of the types of traveling lodges used by Northeast tribes. Bedrolls, furs, kettle chains and hooks, axes and other camp equipment are a part of this exhibit. Authentically clothed interpreters will be on hand for precise explanations of the entire exhibit; with formal talks given at certain set times each day. Grand Entry is scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday at 12 noon. The Park’s Bald Eagle and Red-Tailed Hawk will be presented and be a part of each at this time. This Pow Wow is one of only 2 in the entire country that has a live bald eagle participating.
Red Tailed Hawk Make sure to take this wonderful opportunity to learn more about the native people of Maine and New England, their traditions, heritage and culture. All proceeds from the Honor the Animals POW WOW are directed towards new exhibits for our wildlife. Regular park admission fees will be charged. (All day Saturday and Sunday; rain or shine). Biodiversity Institute On Saturday, July 31 from 11am-2pm meet some of the folks from Biodiversity Institute - a leader in Maine and in many areas of the world in creative and interactive science education; working to personalize wildlife issues among students, educators, scientists and the public. By harnessing the power of state-of-the-art technology, people are connected to wildlife and ecological science through the use of BRI webcams with 24hr live streaming video of nesting eagles, loons, osprey and peregrine falcons. This is coupled with unique, dedicated blogs by expert BRI scientists to better educate the viewer. BRI is also proactive in reaching out to the community by presenting at schools, lake associations, and other public venues.
Lawrence the Eagle As society struggles to maintain clean and healthy ecosystems, the powerful and neutral tool of science should be more utilized. BRI is part of a paradigm shift to change the interplay of science and decision-making. BRI scientists are uniquely qualified to translate scientific data into usable information for policy makers and stakeholders, as well as schoolchildren and their teachers, as they grapple with the daunting challenges of our day. Join a BRI investigator with an interesting display focusing on this group’s work with Maine wildlife, from loons to osprey, and peregrine falcons to eagles. www.briloon.org Wear Your PJs Night Visit - Saturday July 24th 7:30pm-9:30pm It’s going to be a ‘WILD’ night at the wildlife park when this night hike is held from 7:30pm-9:30pm, Saturday July 24th, under bright moonlight skies. What do your kids do to get ready for bed? You’re invited to bring your kids to the park, wearing their pajamas, for a night visit with our wildlife. Take a short learning tour in our visitor center to find out how our animals prepare for and survive during the hours between dusk and dawn. Watch a special performance by our mascots, Moxie Moose and Kennebego Bear, as they act out what wildlife does during the nighttime hours. Visit our discovery stations to learn about native Bats with a special scavenger hunt, or take a look at what’s inside an owl pellet. You can also find out what wild cats live in Maine and how they are particularly well adapted to the night. You can have your photos taken with our mascots, Kennebago Bear and Moxie Moose, who will be wearing their ‘jammies’ too! Learn more about Maine’s special creatures of the night in the comfort of your PJ’s! We recommend that you bring your own flashlights, and we will cover them with red cellophane to improve your night vision. The regular admission fee will be charged for this special night visit. *Please call the park office with questions if it appears to be raining* (The Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open!) Maine Warden Service Day On Saturday, July 17th from 11am to 2pm, several District Game Wardens will be on hand with the Wall of Shame mobile exhibit, K-9 teams, representatives of the Dive Team and Search and Rescue Team. Learn what it takes to become a Maine Game Warden, and come with your questions for the men and women charged with the protection of the wildlife, woods and waters and people of the state. www.mainegamewarden.com In addition, the Warden Service Museum has been recently updated and refurbished with new exhibits, information panels and a flat screen DVD player showing warden service historical and recent videos. Meet a Live Bald Eagle Join us on Saturday, July 3, with Maine Wildlife Park staffers Pam and Nikki Richardson and live Bald Eagle ‘Lawrence’ from 11am - 12noon, & at 1:30pm, to learn about eagles in Maine.
Photo credit: Deb Plengey; Maine Wildlife Park eagle “Lawrence” (Show times subject to change depending upon the temperature and the eagle’s comfort level) This native Maine bald eagle was blown out of his nest on Little Sebago Lake as a nestling in the infamous ‘Patriot’s Day storm’, and suffered a permanently injured wing. Part of the injured wing had to be amputated, and he was brought to the wildlife park to recover and to begin a new life as an educational program bird. He is now 5 years old, and has the white head and tail of an adult bird. He is impressive to see and photograph up close! The Ancient Art of Falconry
All of your questions will be answered at this fun and interesting event, which is suitable for young and old alike. Bring your cameras for some fantastic opportunities for close up shots of this beautiful bird. Tim Sample and MDIFW Day– A special combo on Saturday, June 19th! Widely acknowledged to be New England’s premier native humorist, Tim Sample’s books, albums, and videos (including four albums and a video for the Bert and I company) have sold well over a million copies. Over the years, Tim has performed thousands of shows in venues as diverse as the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Mall of America, the New York Yacht Club & the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Tim Samples’ show times at the Wildlife Park today will include two 50 minute performances between 10:30am-12:30pm. This family show is locally sponsored by several area businesses and organizations, including the Gems of Route 26, Cole Farms Restaurant and Friends of Maine Wildlife Park. The wildlife park is extremely grateful for their support! These folks, who do not directly financially contribute to our wildlife and habitat preservation programs, need to know more about what the Department does, to ensure their enjoyment of Maine’s abundant wildlife both for now and into the future. All of today’s events are scheduled to proceed rain or shine. Fly Tie and Cast with Sebago Trout Unlimited If you have ever wanted to try your hand at the arts of FLY TYING AND FLY CASTING, the Wildlife Park is the place to be on Saturday June 12th from 11am to 2pm! Members of the Sebago Chapter of Trout Unlimited will demonstrate and invite participation from kids and parents alike to learn these popular fishing arts. Several teenage assistants will be on hand to help visitors with their fly tying and fly-casting techniques. Learn how to tie a fly, and then bring it home with you to try on your next fishing trip. TU will also have a display featuring some of the many fish and habitat restoration projects with which they are involved. A fun introduction to a sport on which you might ‘get hooked’! Trails End & Avian Taxidermy On Saturday, June 5, from 11am to 2pm, come and observe the demonstrations of 2 taxidermists from both Trails End & Avian Taxidermy. Taxidermy is a method of reproducing a life-like, 3-dimensional rendition of a mammal, bird or fish for permanent display. Come and see a variety of examples of this delicate art with local taxidermists Dana Soucier and Tom Berube, representing the Maine Association of Taxidermists. Dana will demonstrate the process of mounting a deer head and Tom will demonstrate how to mount waterfowl, both from start to finish. Bring your cameras to document this artistic work! www.trailsendtaxidermystudio.com Friends Annual Plant Sale From Saturday through Monday, May 29-31, the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park will be holding their Annual Plant Sale. The Friends volunteer group greatly helps out the wildlife park in so many ways; most recently funding the 6 new small mammal exhibits. Learn more about their ongoing projects and enjoy great bargains on spring plants with annual and perennial flowers, vegetables and floral baskets grown in their own greenhouse! Plants will be available for sale all day each day. www.wildlifeparkfriends.org Loki Clan Wolf Refuge Plan a visit to the Maine Wildlife Park from 11am to 2pm on Saturday May 22 for a visit with the folks from the Loki Clan Wolf Refuge, located on the Maine-New Hampshire border. Learn about wolves and wolf-hybrids with this special exhibit. The refuge provides a safe haven for wolf-dogs that have been abandoned or confiscated, where they are able to live out their natural lives in pack situations. All of the wolf-dogs here are housed in large, natural enclosures; an ideal life for these special canines. Although no actual wolf hybrids will be at the wildlife park today, this is a great opportunity to find out more about these animals. Endangered Species Coalition Plan a visit to the Maine Wildlife Park from 11am to 2pm on Saturday May 15 to find out more about National Endangered Species Day with the Endangered Species Coalition. This organization is dedicated one hundred percent to protecting our nation’s endangered species. As a guardian of the Endangered Species Act which is the ‘safety net’ for our nation’s wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction, the coalition represents the millions of Americans dedicated to strong endangered species protections. Learn about the importance of protecting endangered species; and everyday actions that people can take to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife and the last open spaces they call home.
Our Mountain Lion The Maine Wildlife Park is home to several Maine endangered species, including Canada lynx, golden eagle, mountain lion, Blanding’s, Spotted and Box Turtles; and the formerly endangered bald eagle. www.stopextinction.org Lynx National Endangered Species Day is on Saturday, May 21st, is a country-wide celebration of America’s commitment to protecting and recovering our nation’s endangered species. Parks, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, schools, museums, libraries, agencies, businesses, community groups and conservation organizations across the country will hold events to educate the public about the importance of protecting endangered species; and highlights the everyday actions that individuals and groups can take to help protect our nation’s wildlife, fish and plants. Learn About Lobsters Plan a visit to the Maine Wildlife Park from 11am to 2pm on Saturday May 8 to see how the signature dish of Maine, that tasty lobster treat, gets from the bottom of the ocean to your dinner plate. Hear about lobster habits and conservation efforts while learning about hard-shells, shedders, shorts, culls, and keepers. See and touch live lobsters, starfish, crabs, urchins and other sea life that Captain Tom and his crew will bring along to show you!
The Lucky Catch is a 37' Maine-built lobster boat designed to be smooth and stable on ocean waters. She cruises out of 41 Union Wharf in downtown Portland, and during the summer is equipped to carry passengers comfortably and safely around Casco Bay. However, from November thru April, she is still an active commercial fishing vessel. Most Lucky Catch lobster cruises consist of pulling ten lobster traps of five traditional styles. The various components of lobstering are explained while you learn how lobster traps are hauled, set and baited. Brave seamen and women can participate if they like, pants and boots are available on the boat. Landlubbers can learn more about lobster and lobstering at the wildlife park today; but may be tempted to make a reservation to cruise the open ocean once you see the fun you’ll have with the captain and crew of the Lucky Catch! www.luckycatch.com Moose Madness Day The kick off day for Maine Wildlife Park’s Summer Wildlife Days is Saturday, May 1 from 10am to 2pm, with Moose Madness! View the Final Charge, a museum quality recreation of the final battle between 2 adult bull moose that had rammed antlers and become locked together. Usually on display at LL Bean in Freeport, this dramatic display will be at the park through May 9. Maine Wildlife Park opening Thursday, April 15; new exhibits and audio tour! The Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 in Gray will be opening for the 2010 season on Thursday April 15th this year. With over 104,000 visitors during 2009, we are looking forward to welcoming both returning and new folks this year. Visitors will be enjoying 6 new small mammal exhibits featuring porcupines, fisher, woodchuck, raccoon, skunk and opossum. Their old, extremely outdated quarters have been log sided and recycled into a temporary holding area, and will no longer be viewed by the public. Funded by the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park, these 6 new naturalized exhibits are set under the forest canopy alongside the Deer Trail, where the animals can see the sky, bask in the sun and actually climb trees in their new spaces. In addition, we are very excited to be offering our visitors the opportunity to take a free, guided audio tour of the park’s exhibits via their own personal cell phones! Dial the access number provided, and punch in the number of the exhibit you’d like to hear more about. A short recording will give you fun wildlife facts, information and history about the individual animal(s) you are watching. The only charge will be based on your minutes plan with your cell phone service provider. Several new events have been scheduled throughout the summer as well. Our kick off day is May 1, with Moose Madness! View the Final Charge, a museum quality re-creation of the final battle between 2 adult bull moose that had rammed antlers and become locked together. Usually on display at LL Bean in Freeport, this dramatic display will be exhibited at the park through May 9. Other new weekend presentations throughout the summer include the Endangered Species Coalition, Loki Clan Wolf Refuge, Tim Sample, Falconry, Ducks Unlimited, Biodiversity Institute, and Freeport Wild Bird Supply. The wildlife park will be open just in time for school vacation in April, so pack up the kids and a picnic and plan a day long visit. There’s plenty to see and do, with lots of room for the kids to roam. Hope to see you this year! |
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