22 April 2021
Pre-meeting Chatter! Is it really snowing? When is everyone coming back up? Happy Earth Day!
Buckets on the Table: Merry Springs (drop off donations to Kim at the bank in Camden –next to Hannaford- or mail to PO Box 1033, Camden 04843 – or website donation site using the donate button).
Poem for the Day: Bob Holmes, I’m Proud to be a Rotarian! (Mark Coursey – regarding my anxiety about this meeting) - Next Week – JP Fecteau
Sponsor Minute: Leamon – Maine Boat and Home Show! August 13-15th this year. Lots of great vendors, in a modified event (due to covid). We staff the ticket booths (and will again this year). Silver Annual Sponsor.
Speaker of the Day: Ian Stewart/Coastal Mountain Landtrust
Director of CML, Round the Mountain Trail! Clean water, recreation, open space…forever. Happy Earth Day, even more today than usual. Landtrust, a nonprofit organization, is trying to create a deep connection between people and the land! More people have been getting out on the trails this year. Maine released a land conservation plan this year, Federal released plan for conversation of land and water as well. Climate resilience and animal preservation is why we need to conserve lands. We have 11% conserved in our local areas currently. We need 25%. Camden/Rockport is in the 20’s right now. 21% of Maine is preserved. Landtrust protects big open spaces, stewards the land and encourages people to care about the land. They have around 200 volunteers right now.
One focus area, large and undeveloped, includes Bald and Ragged Mountain, Mirror Lake and Grassy Pond as well. A lot of conservation is occurring here now. Off the Beaten Path group worked on building the trail. 8.5 miles of trail, it’s wide and smooth, very gradual slopes. Parking Lots are included, though maybe a bit small, nice problem to have! Portions of trail are ADA approved, garden area included. Bridges available where needed. Mile markers will be placed, the surface is gravel. Nice flow and interest to the path designs but with good site lines to see what’s coming up around the turns! 2 climbs are present on the trail. Phase 1 is complete, phase 2 starts in June, phase 3 begins as soon as possible! 738 donors raised $5.4M since 2016, $10.5M donated since 2003 with $175,000 remaining. Looking for community donors for mile markers!
Committee Reports:
Looking for committee leads for next year, looking for interested folks who want to participate. Some Big rolls to replace. Treasurer, Membership, Public Relations, Secretary…Reach out to Mark, Ken or Lisa!
Book Club: (members also include Camden Club) May 11th, last meeting til September! Tana French, The Searcher. Contact Kristen for link! Booklist is on the website!
Community: Next Habitat Project will be in May 1st, 0830 to noon. (June 12th is next!) Let Tim Dresser know if you are interested in hanging out with some builders! (Philbrick Ave, Rockland) Come Join Us! The Yard Sale is June 5/6. May 6 begins our Matching Funds Event with UMC. Fence Project is beginning, working with Interact and Peter for painting! Should be complete by end of May. Yard Sale June 5-6 and will be selling space for locals. There will be an early bird hour for a $5 fee, same setup as last year (MRC). Set up on June 4th!
Membership: Looking for an interim lead for this. A co-chair is in the wings but still need another chair!
Satellite: Contact JP for the link to attend. Roadside clean up April 23 and 24th. George has sent out the link. Earth Day Clean Up in Camden, April 23-24, starting at 9 am. May 6th outdoor meeting!
Next Week’s Speaker: Greg Marley/NAMI Maine