Live Stake Planting and Invasive Species ID Workshop<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n This event will be held a week (or two, depending on weather) after the live stake harvesting workshop. Attendees will learn proper live staking planting technique and invasive species identification. Together, we will plant dozens of live stakes in eroded areas on LAWPC land with live stakes harvested from the previous workshop! Drinks, food, and planting equipment will be provided. Email Lilit at <\/span>LakeAuburnShoreCorps@awsd.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> with questions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Earth Day Clean Up<\/b><\/span><\/p>\r\n Come join LAWPC staff as we celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up our local park! We’ll gather at Basin Park in Auburn to pick up trash, tend to live stakes, and prune back overgrowth along the North Auburn Dam Trail. Gloves, tools, and snacks will be provided. We hope to see you there!<\/p>\r\n Tree Identification Walk<\/b><\/span><\/p>\r\n Learning to identify trees can enrich your time outside, turning every hike, nature walk, and backyard ramble into a fun exploration. For this walk, we will focus on the subtler aspects of identification that can be overlooked in the summer months when leaves are out in abundance. Materials will also be provided to create bark rubbings, which can be a great reference for future identification. Be sure to wear comfortable walking\/hiking foot gear.<\/p>\r\n This walk will be led by Maine Master Naturalist\u00a0<\/i>Samaa Abdurraqib<\/i>.\u00a0<\/i>Samaa (she\/her) is an auntie, a writer, a bird nerd, and a lover of the outdoors. She is a certified Maine Master Naturalist, which allows her to lead outdoor teaching experiences for people who want to learn about the beings (plants, insects, animals) in this region. Samaa is also a published poet and is the Executive Director of Maine Humanities.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\r\n Vernal Pool Walk<\/b><\/span><\/p>\r\n Come join us for a vernal pool walk to kick off Amphibian Week as we search for amphibian eggs, insect larvae, and other seasonal residents of these ephemeral spaces. We will also discuss the importance of vernal pool habitats and concrete steps people can take to help protect these environments and the creatures that use them. No experience or tools necessary, though we recommend wearing waterproof boots or waders, and clothing that you don’t mind getting a little wet.<\/p>\r\n This walk will be led by Maine Master Naturalist Laurie Holland. Laurie loves to share her curiosity about the natural world with others. Born and raised in Maine, she developed a deep connection to nature as a child exploring the forest behind her house. She has a special interest in dragonflies, pollinators, amphibians, and keystone species like beavers. She volunteers as an on-site naturalist for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s lodges in Greenville, Maine, and leads nature walks for various land trusts, as well as gardening, beekeeping, and hiking in her spare time.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\r\n Stream Explorers<\/b><\/span><\/p>\r\n Curious about what lives in your local streams, and want to get involved in a fun community science project? Stream Explorers is a collaborative project with Maine Audubon and Maine DEP focused on macroinvertebrates and what they can teach us about water quality. Attendees will learn tips and techniques for macroinvertebrate surveying and identification, and get a complete hands-on experience of the process. No experience or tools necessary, though we recommend wearing waterproof boots or waders, and clothing that you don’t mind getting a little wet.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0*Photo by Kathleen Reed<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n Birding Walk<\/b><\/span><\/p>\r\n Whether you’re brand new to the hobby or have been birding for years, join Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission on a birding walk for Global Big Day! Maine Master Naturalist Christine Murray will guide us through the woods and along the trails as we try to spot our feathered friends, many of whom will be returning to or passing through the area on their northern spring migrations. No experience or tools necessary, though binoculars may be helpful if you have them. All are welcome, and we hope to see you there!\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 *Photo by Rob Crosby<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n This walk will be led by Maine Master Naturalist Christine Murray. Christine is a Lewiston resident and an avid birder. In search of new species, she and her husband have explored Maine, up to the North Maine Woods, down to Cape Neddick, and everywhere in between. As a Maine Master Naturalist, she is always looking for opportunities to share her love of nature with others. She also serves on the Stanton Bird Club board of directors.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n Previous Events<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n Plant identification and Live Stake Harvesting Workshop<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Learn about live staking, identifying live staking species, and soil erosion in this outdoor workshop event, led by Maine Conservation Corps steward Lilit Mathieu! During a brief introduction, you will learn about what live staking is and how it combats soil erosion. You will receive a live staking species ID guide to use during the plant ID workshop, then we will start harvesting! Attendees will learn proper live staking harvesting and storage techniques and can take stakes home to plant on their property! Drinks, food, and harvesting equipment will be provided. Email Lilit at\u00a0 LakeAuburnShoreCorps@awsd.org<\/a> with questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Live staking webinar<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n This webinar will provide an in-depth review of live staking, including its purpose, signs of soil erosion, live staking species, and proper live stake harvesting, storage, and planting technique. A meeting link will be sent to you an hour before the webinar. Email Lilit Mathieu at LakeAuburnShoreCorps@awsd.org<\/a> with questions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Do you live within the Lake Auburn watershed? Do you own a septic system? If so, you may be required to have your septic system inspected under the City of Auburn’s subsurface wastewater ordinance. Join LAWPC to learn more about the ordinance and the types of support that LAWPC can provide to property owners. This session is geared toward those in Year 3 of the inspection schedule, though all are welcome.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Are you curious about what wildlife get up to when it’s cold and snowy? Want to know who is making the tracks you see in your yard? Just looking for an excuse to get out of the house? Come join LAWPC and USDA Wildlife Biologist Ben Nugent for a winter wildlife walk! We’ll take to the woods to look for clues about what our furry and feathery friends have been up to lately. Attendees will learn about different adaptations that allow animals to survive Maine’s cold winters, and how to find and decode signs that tell the story of their days.\u00a0RSVP requested for planning purposes. Snowshoes are available upon request. All are welcome — we hope you’ll join us!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Upcoming Events Live Stake Planting and Invasive Species ID Workshop\u00a0 April 18, 2026 (Rain date: April 25)\u00a0 10 am- 12 pm Location: Basin Park, Auburn ME (intersection of North Auburn Road and Lake Shore Drive) RSVP: https:\/\/forms.gle\/YgWggVzzcctuj5Z76 (in addition to RSVPing, please also fill out this form and email to Lilit before the event)<\/p>\n\r\n
Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet for Live-Staking Events<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n
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Septic Program Information Session<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
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Winter Wildlife Walk – Take 2<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
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Winter Wildlife Walk<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
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