Calendar of Events

Join Bangor Land Trust for a guided snowshoe walk in our Walden-Parke Preserve. We'll take advantage of conditions (whatever they may be!) to explore areas that are wet in the warmer months and observe the tracks and other signs of the many animals that keep busy in winter.

Dress warmly and bring snowshoes if you have them. At present, the snow is hard and not deep so boots (and perhaps ice grippers) are enough, but if we have a substantial snowstorm in the next couple of weeks snowshoes (or skis) may be necessary.

"Expensive, top of the line snowshoes are not necessary," says co-leader Karla Gustafson. "An inexpensive pair of snow shoes like what are readily available in local discount stores (or borrowed ones) will be fine for this sort of short trek. And an old pair of ski poles are great for walking in the snow."

To reach the trailhead, go north on Essex St about 4 miles from the intersection with Stillwater Ave, passing Church Rd on your left. Take your next right onto Walden Parke Way at the entrance of the Edgewood Subdivision. Turn right onto Tamarack Trail and proceed to the cul-de-sac. If you haven't been there recently, you may notice that Tamarack Trail has been extended, but just proceed to the end and you'll see the kiosk.

Leaders: George Elliott and Karla Gustafson

Encountering a black bear in the wild can be a palm-sweating, heart-racing experience -- for both human and bear. Join the Bangor Land Trust's Ryan Robbins for a walk through prime bear habitat and have some persistent myths about this secretive animal dispelled. We'll learn whether mothers with cubs really are more prone to attack (the answer may surprise you), how many bears there are living in the Walden-Parke and Rolland F. Perry City Forest area (you'll be surprised), what bears eat, when they eat, why they hibernate, and what secrets their hibernation may hold for treating some human diseases. We'll also look at bear sign and talk about a whole lot more. This outing has been the Land Trust's most popular in recent years.

The walk will be about two miles round-trip, maybe a little more, maybe a little less. We should be back before dark, but bring a flashlight just in case. No dogs.

Meet at the cul-de-sac of the Tamarack Trail extension, in the Edgewood subdivision, off Essex St and Walden-Parke Way. Walden-Parke Way is 4.06 miles out Essex St from Stillwater Ave in Bangor. Turn right onto Walden-Parke Way. Tamarack Trail will be 1.08 miles on the right. Follow Tamarack Trail all the way to the end. The street has been recently extended, so don't be surprised if you see some signs of construction.

Looking for some local summer fun for the family?  Bangor Land Trust is having a Scavenger Hunt in the woods of Northeast Penjajawoc, entrance located on Kittredge Road (off of Stillwater Avenue, behind Wal-Mart).  This outing is geared for families with kids - to get out in the woods and share some time together.  There will be a trail guide at the head of the trail - where families will pick up their scavenger lists (complete with clues) - and there will be a few more Land Trust volunteers wandering the trails!  But this is a self-paced event.  Do as much or as little as you like.  Unlike other events, this one has a "rolling-start" time from 10AM to 1PM and will conclude at 2PM, Saturday, August 6.  As always, we suggest you wear comfortable shoes, bring bug spray, a bottle of water - and maybe a bag lunch.  The trails are well marked - and all participants will receive their own folding trail guide for future outdoor forays.   In event of rain, event will be Sunday, August

Admit it, they are cute, even if they look portly and waddle rather oddly.  Can a porcupine really shoot its quills?  What can kill a porcupine, and how?  How do porcupines avoid hunting each other?  Learn how the slow-moving, nocturnal rodent makes its way through life in a wilderness full of ruthless predators.  We'll look at porcupine sign while learning how this shy, solitary critter changes its diet to adapt between summer and winter. 

You will need bug spray for this walk, and maybe a mosquito head net.  Binoculars are strongly recommended.  (Rain date is July 24.)  Geared for the whole family!

Meet at the BLT kiosk at the end of Tamarack Trail. To get there, go north on Essex St about 4 miles from the intersection with Stillwater Ave, passing Church Rd on your left. Take your next right onto Walden Parke Way at the entrance of the Edgewood Subdivision. Turn right onto Tamarack Trail and park at the end of the road where you see our kiosk.

Dubbed the "black ghost" of the Maine woods by some, the black bear is one of the forest's most mysterious and often feared mammals. Join amateur naturalist Ryan Robbins, who has been documenting black bears in and around Rolland F. Perry City Forest and the Walden-Parke Preserve for the last six years, to learn about this most revered and feared animal and have persistent myths dispelled. We will talk about black bear biology, behavior, and misconceptions, and visit where bears have been by identifying bear sign. The walk will be approximately 2.4 miles round-trip. We will return at about sunset. But just in case, bring a flashlight. No dogs.

Meet at the Tripp Drive entrance on Stillwater Av

Also known as Moccasin-flowers, Lady's Slippers are a unique member of the orchid family which require highly specific habitats in order to grow. Join George Elliott and Gail Downs for a walk through Walden-Parke Preserve to view the multitude of Lady's Slippers in that area. In the past two years, George and Gail have seen hundreds of dainty pink, white and yellow Lady's Slippers scattered throughout the preserve. Please join us as we go in search of these rare beauties! Remember please to stay on the trails - take home only photos and memories in order to preserve the delicate ecology of the preserve.  As the area is wet, we strongly suggest boots and some bug protection.  Plan about  2.5 hours for the walk leaving from the Tamarack Trail kiosk.

According to The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers (Eastern Edition) Lady's Slippers are described as follows:

Pink Lady's Slipper: Leafless stalk usually bearing one flower, red veined, fissure down the front, approximately 2.5 inches long and 6-15 inches tall with leaves up to 8 inches in length. They are found from Nova Scotia to Georgia and Alabama to Tennessee with sometimes several hundred found in a small area. They grow mostly in dry forests and pine woods.

Yellow Lady's Slipper: Leafy stalk with one or two flowers, about 2 inches long, 4-28 inches tall with leaves up to 8 inches in length. They grow in bogs, swamps, and rich woods.

Showy Lady's Slipper: The tallest of northern orchids, these grow 1-3 feet tall with hairy, often twisted leafy stalk having one-three flowers that are 1-2 inches long with white/rose-pink in front, often veined with purple or deep pink. The leaves are up to 10 inches long. They grow in swamps and moist woods. Beware--the hairs can cause a rash.

For more information on Lady's Slippers please visit:

Meet at the BLT kiosk at the end of Tamarack Trail. To get there, go north on Essex St about 4 miles from the intersection with Stillwater Ave, passing Church Rd on your left. Take your next right onto Walden Parke Way at the entrance of the Edgewood Subdivision. Turn right onto Tamarack Trail and park at the end of the road where you see our kiosk.

Have you ever wondered what all this talk about vernal pools was about?  Do you want to spy on the secret lives of frogs and salamanders?  If so, join us for a visit to a vernal pool on the Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve at a time when we might be able to find egg masses of all three of the common vernal pool species in Maine: wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and blue-spotted salamanders.  Photos and examination of actual egg masses will help you learn to identify the differences among the egg masses of these three species.  If enough people are willing to get wet, we will attempt an inventory of the entire pool. Water level is likely to be higher than your normal rubber boots, so if you want to find egg masses yourself, you will either need to wear waders or get wet (which is what I do).  Lead by Jim Hinds.

Get a jump on spring and join us for a snowshoe trek on the preserve. We will look for signs of spring as well as enjoy viewing how the preserve looks at the end of winter. A copy of the Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve Educational Trail Map will be given to all who come so that they can enjoy future outings at the Preserve. This outing will be a snowshoe trek or a boot trek depending on the snow cover.

Who says you need to drive for hours to enjoy a moderate length hike? With the adjacent properties of Walden Park Preserve, Northeast Penjajawok and Bangor City Forest, there is enough woods right here in Bangor for a 10 mile loop hike. A shorter option will also be available. Bring water, a snack, hiking boots and warm layers. We'll cancel or reschedule if rain threatens, so check this page Sunday morning. [Weather looks good: mostly sunny, temps in the 40's. We're on!]

Meet at the BLT kiosk at the end of Tamarack Trail. To get there, go north on Essex St about 4 miles from the intersection with Stillwater Ave, passing Church Rd on your left. Take your next right onto Walden Parke Way at the entrance of the Edgewood Subdivision. Turn right onto Tamarack Trail and park at the end of the road where you will see a BLT kiosk.