OCTOBER 2025 ENEWS
BERWICK, NORTH BERWICK, SOUTH BERWICK, ELIOT, WELLS & OGUNQUIT
| ... For Everyone, Forever! | | |
Tucked under a fallen tree, hidden beneath tall grass off the beaten trail, or glinting among a colony of fungi, glass sculpture treasures are waiting for you to find them this October as part of Great Work Regional Land Trust’s (GWRLT) first Beach Plum Pursuit.
The glass sculpture treasure hunt is slated to be a three-day long event October 24 through the 26, and is being presented by GWRLT and On the Right Path Productions in partnership with the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce as part of the 22nd annual OgunquitFest.
The Beach Plum Pursuit is more than just a treasure hunt, it’s a passion project, and like any passion project, there’s a story behind its conception. This story involves Ogunquit's local luminary Leanne Cusimano.
| | 39 handblown glass beach plums to be hidden on the 3 GWRLT Ogunquit trails October 24, 25, & 26.. Scavenger hunters are invited to participate in the Beach Plum Pursuit to find the elusive fruit. Each glass ornament is sponsored by participating, local businesses or individuals. Those lucky enough to find a beach plum and register it, are eligible to win the grand prize! In addition, Beach Plum Jam is available for purchase at Beach Plum Farm. All proceeds benefit Great Works Regional Land Trust. | | | | |
2025 Wild & Scenic Film Festival Wows Inspired Audience
by Owen Wadlington
On Friday September 23rd, Great Works Regional Land Trust (GWRLT) organized the Wild and Scenic Film Festival hosted at Wells Public High School in the beautiful Olenn Performing Arts Center. The evening’s presentation exhibited a wide variety of international short films focused on the environment, the importance of wildlife conservation, and the significance of human connection with the natural world. The event was sponsored by Eldridge Lumber & Hardware and Kennebunk Savings.
Nine films in total were presented at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival from 4pm to 8pm, with two intermissions held which afforded patrons the opportunity to socialize, buy tickets for raffle prizes, and have some snacks and drinks provided by GWRLT. In total more than fifty locals from across Southern Maine were in attendance of the event, including members of GWRLT’s vital volunteer staff, the land trust’s board of directors, and the employees that help to make GWRLT function.
| | Katherine Derby, GWRLT Staff | | Wells Hi School - Olenn Performing Arts Center | | John Branagan, President of the GWRLT Board of Directors | | UPCOMING EVENTS & OUTINGS | | |
OCTOBER
1
10am - 12pm
WEDNESDAY WANDERINGS
Goodwin Forest, Eliot
6
5:30pm
MOONRISE HIKE/PICNIC
Bauneg Beg Mountain Conservation Area - North, North Berwick
11
10am
MUSHROOM ID WALK W/ NORTH SPORE
Old Boston Preserve, Ogunquit
3pm - 5pm
CORNER POINT BREWING COMPANY MEETUP
Corner Point Brewing Co., Berwick
18
10am
WALKING TOUR IN THE TATNIC HILLS W/JOE HARDY
Tatnic Hills, Wells
24, 25, & 26
8am - Dusk, each day
BEACH PLUM PURSUIT
Ogunquit trails: Beach Plum Farm, Payeur Preserve & Kirkpatrick Woods, Old Boston Preserve
25
10am - 1pm
PUNKINTOWN HISTORY HIKE W/ BRAD FLETCHER
Rocky Hill Preserve, South Berwick
| | |
NOVEMBER
2
10am -
HOW TREES PREPARE FOR WINTER Presentation w/ Eileen Willard
Orris Falls Conservation Area, South Berwick
9
10:00am
EXPLORE BEAVER ACTIVITY AT ORRIS FALLS CONSERVATION AREA w/ Paul Dest
Orris Falls Conservation Area, South Berwick
16
10am - 1pm
TAILS ON THE TRAILS: A PUP HIKE OF GRATITUDE
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Negutaquet Conservation Area, North Berwick
16
10am
Kenyon Hill History Walk w/ Brad Fletcher
Kenyon Hill Preserve, South Berwick
| |
TAILS ON THE TRAILS
Saving dogs and stewarding the trails they can use is as easy as putting one paw in front of the other!
Sunday, November 16, we’re raising funds for 3 Dogs Rescue to support their foster-based rescue, and Great Works Regional Land Trust to support stewardship costs for dog-friendly trails. Both nonprofits are located in southern Maine.
Registration fee includes an orange beanie for the human, and an orange scarf for the pup.
| | | Hunting Season Reminder & New Hoodie in Orange $45 | | |
The GWRLT Fall 25 Hoodie now available for $45
Fall into something comfortable and orange for your next hike while supporting your favorite land trust! Stop by the office at Beach Plum Farm in Ogunquit to pick one up, today.
| | |
We are proud of the work we do to protect land for wildlife habitat that can support the tradition of hunting in our community for generations to come. Each season, we simply request that everyone familiarizes themselves with the following:
- Hunting is prohibited at Beach Plum Farm and the Savage Wildlife Preserve.
- Temporary tree stands are allowed, but must bear the owner's identification and be removed after each hunting season.
- Permanently bolted tree stands are prohibited.
- Trapping, baiting, and target practice are prohibited on GWRLT properties.
- Remember! Hunting is not allowed on Sundays in Maine.
- In addition to our specific limitations, please follow all state and local laws and regulations for the health and safety of our community and our natural resources.
- Hikers and pets should take the precaution of wearing blaze orange, and hunters need to be ever mindful of the presence of hikers on GWRLT properties.
| | |
| |
Trail Maintenance
Stewardship includes lots of maintenance to maintain safe trails for visitors and wildlife. Jack McAuliffe took a photo of a massive fallen ash tree he cut at Negutaquet to reopen a section of trail. Note the chainsaw propped against the log for scale.
If you find an area needing attention, you're urged to report it.
| | | | Fall Stewardship Workdays - Sign Up to Volunteer Today | | |
Sign up to volunteer with Shaun Dillon, GWRLT Property Steward. Unless stated otherwise, they are on Wednesdays. All dates and expected work tasks are subject to change!
- 10/8 Kenyon Hill, Install posts and trail signs
- 10/15 Beach Plum Farm, remove invasive species
- 10/22 Bauneg Beg South, spread woodchips and other trail work
- Tuesday 10/28 Douglas Memorial Woods, install boardwalk
- 10/29 Douglas Memorial Woods, install boardwalk
- 11/5 Newichawannock, trim and blaze trail
- 11/12 Payeur, remove invasive species
| | |
Volunteers are the Magic Ingredient in our Recipe for Land Conservation and Stewardship.
For more information, contact Shaun Dillon, GWRLT Property Steward at 207-646-3604 or email sdillon@gwrlt.org.
| | | |
Thank you to the Wild & Scenic Film
Festival sponsors: Eldredge Lumber and Kennebunk Savings
Raffle donors: BEACHFIRE Bar & Grille, Las Olas Taqueria, Eldredge Fly Shop, Aroma Joe’s, Fogarty’s Restaurant & Bakery, FOTM (Fire on the Mountain), and Bona Fortuna
Because of You, Our Future Looks Bright!
Thank you for the LED lights in our office:
Affinity LED Lights, LLC
JB
Moriarty Electric
| | |
We'd like to recognize the following volunteers from September and express our gratitude to all who put the wind in our sails!
Sandy Agrafiotis
Mr. & Mrs. David Beattie
Donna Beaudoin
Mark & Sue Berman
Kurt Binder
Jude Boucher
Scott Carson
Ben Chase
Multiple Pathways Academy at Noble High School
Brad Fletcher
Jean Demetracopoulos
Amy Dumont
Gary Flashner
Elaine Giangrande
Larry Green
Jeanette Greenlaw
John Hake
Hink Herrick
Bill Hills
Patty Kerrigan
Violet Kulick
Gail Licciardello
Stephen Mallat
Jack McAuliffe
Monica McKenna
Helen Pearce
Amy & Bob Picotte
Susan Pike
Ron Plaisted
Benjamin Porter
Jackie Quinton
Daniel Smith
Juli Stewart
Raymond Therrien
Kate Wilcox
Susan Wiswell
Kristin Woods
Michael Wright
Adrienne & Henry Zwetsloot
| | | Thank you to our eNews Small Business Sponsors | | | | |
