The Beaches Conference 2017 - A Huge Success

Every year since 1999, teams of citizen scientists have been measuring monthly changes in beach elevations as part of the State of Maine Beach Profiling Program. In 2005, the Maine Geological Survey (MGS) supplemented this data with annual GPS-collected shoreline positions. Combined, these 2 datasets allowed for a better understanding of how Maine’s beaches are changing. Since 2001, this information has been shared through the biannual Maine Beaches Conference, open to the public and attended by a diverse group of typically over 200 people. MGS has been summarizing observed beach changes in a report that is released in conjunction with the conference. The Beaches Conference 2017 was held on July 14 in Wells, Maine and featured 85 presentations and 33 exhibitors, the largest agenda of any conference to-date! In 2017, New Hampshire beaches were included in part of the Beaches Conference program and their beach monitoring program, designed after Maine’s, was also showcased. Topics presented and discussed ranged from geology, water quality, wildlife, outreach and education, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor beaches, to recent legal developments on beach ownership. MGS produced 10 posters summarizing beach conditions and trends, and provided presentations on the status of Maine’s beaches through 2017. Major contributors to the conference included the Maine Coastal Program, Wells Reserve, Sea Grant, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and many others including the private sector. A summary of the current “health” of Maine’s beaches can be found on the web at http://digitalmaine.com/mgs_publications/519/. The full State of Maine’s Beaches in 2017 report is available in its entirety at http://digitalmaine.com/mgs_publications/518/. Trends over the last two years showed improved beaches overall and identified areas of significant erosion and accretion. The full report includes shoreline changes at popular state park beaches such as Popham Beach and Mile and Half-Mile Beach at Reid State Park (see figures below). As is no surprise, stretches along Popham Beach continued to change dramatically while most of Reid State Park was quite stable. Presentations will be available in coming weeks at the conference web site https://www.seagrant.umaine.edu/maine-beaches-conference. Conference presentations from 2013 and 2015 are also available on a diverse range of topics through the Maine Sea Grant web site. Maine Sea Grant provided a brief audio recording of plenary talks sessions archived on their Coastal Conversations radio program and hosted by WERU. The radio podcasts webpage can be accessed from the Coastal Conversations website: http://www.seagrant.umaine.edu/coastalconversations. This podcast includes a “State of Maine’s Beaches” report by Peter Slovinsky of the Maine Geological Survey.

Maine’s 28th Annual Open Farm Day a Success!

Over 80 Maine farms were open to the public on Sunday, July 23, for the 28th annual Open Farm Day. Open Farm Day is an annual family event that connects consumers with the men and women who help produce their food. Farms throughout Maine open their gates to offer the public an opportunity to learn about the business of agriculture. Farms had a variety of offerings, including: barn and field tours, demonstrations, displays, animals, crops, refreshments and farm-raised products for sale.

State Park Offerings to Include Food Trucks, Canoes, Kayaks & Paddleboards!

The Maine State Park Experience now includes Food Trucks! This summer, food trucks began selling homemade foods at Range Pond and Crescent Beach State Parks on select dates in August. If successful, this new service will be expanded to other state parks and historic sites in 2018. Kayak Rentals & Guided Tours by Maine Kayak at Colonial Pemaquid Maine Kayak now offers kayak rentals and guided tours accompanied by a licensed Maine guide with a wealth of knowledge about the sport of sea kayaking and the coast of Maine. Kayak rentals are available seven days a week all summer from 9:00am to 5:00pm. To learn more about Maine Kayak adventures and rates visit Maine Kayak online or call them at (207) 677-3455.  Register now with Maine Kayak for the Historic Pemaquid Paddle & Walk at Colonial Pemaquid on 9/2/2017

Paddleboard Rentals and Sea Kayak Tours by Portland Paddle at Crescent Beach

Portland Paddle is now offering paddleboard rentals at Crescent Beach. Discover the joys of stand-up paddle boarding as you glide across protected waters near the beach. Rentals from 9:00am to 5:00pm every day. Free daily paddleboard lesson for ages 12 and up at 11:30am.

Also offered are guided sea kayak tours accompanied by a licensed Maine guide with a wealth of knowledge about the sport of sea kayaking and the coast of Maine. To learn more about Portland Paddle adventures and rates visit Portland Paddle online or call them at (207) 370-9730.

Canoe, Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals by Ring's Marine Service at Range Pond

Ring's Marine is now offering canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals at Range Pond State Park on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00am and 5:00pm. To learn more about Ring's Marine, rates and reservations visit them online or call them at (207) 865-6143.

Maine Forest Service Wildfire Crew in Montana

Wildfire crews from the Maine Forest Service have been working in the state of Montana, providing much needed support to that state’s firefighting resources. Led by Maine Forest Ranger Mike Daigle of Fort Kent, the 20-person Type 2 IA (initial attack) crew was assigned to the Bitterroot National Forest near Hamilton, Montana. The DACF’s Maine Forest Service has been partners with the U.S. Forest Service and other states for decades in sending incident response resources to national forests, parks and other states fire agencies during critical wildfire and natural disaster events.

The crew from Maine was comprised of three forest rangers and 17 “call when needed” firefighters from all over the state. Aside from providing emergency response to Montana, our rangers and firefighters receive valuable training and experience while assigned to these fires, making them more skilled and prepared for similar incidents here in Maine. All of the expenses incurred for these mobilizations are reimbursed by the host agency. So far, our crew has responded to three lightning caused fires in the steep, rugged terrain in the Bitterroots. All of these fires were quickly contained to less than one acre. With this, our crew did exactly what they were sent there to do. Maine forest rangers have also been assigned to incidents in California and Georgia so far this year. 

Ranger Color Guard Participates in ‘Maine Day’ at Fenway Park

Maine Forest Service Rangers were selected to represent Maine during pre-game ceremonies on ‘Maine Day’ at Fenway Park, August 6, 2017. The Boston Red Sox ultimately defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-3.

Colonial Pemaquid 17th Century Encampment Event

NEW HARBOR, ME – Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site in New Harbor hosted a 17th Century Encampment on July 29 and 30. Five hundred and eighty visitors were able to “step back in time” and explore 17th century life on Maine’s coast. The 12th annual living history encampment, on the site of one of New England’s earliest English settlements, was open to the public and included a special musical performance. Reenactors portrayed the lives of the English, French and Native people who lived, worked, and fought on these lands. Demonstrations included fish processing, blacksmithing, coopering, rope making, cooking, and provincial militia firearms drills.

Questions or Comments? Email us at dacf@maine.gov