Events Calendar
From workshops and field days to plant sales and forums, there’s something for everyone!
View our Calendar of Events Below
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Green Ellsworth Union River Paddles
June 7th & 28th; July 25th and Aug 29th - Times TBD
Explore our Union River in this series of group plant paddles sponsored by Green Ellsworth. Weather dependent, participants must be 18+ and bring their own canoe/kayak. Safety vests and preregistration required. (Click below to register or call 207-667-8878.)
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Annual Downeast Field Day - Jonesboro
Jun 25, 2026 | 9am-3pm
UMaine Wild Blueberry Research and Extension Team host this annual field day on Blueberry Hill Farm on 1643 US Route 1 in Jonesboro. Sessions include pest and crop management, technology, equipment, and resource sharing.
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Wild Blueberry Commission Meeting
Jul 10th | 12 noon to 4pm
The Commission will meet to discuss and review the 2026 plan of work plus potential initiatives for the 133rd legislative session. In person at UMaine Machias, Torrey Hall, Room 230. Click below for attend via Zoom.
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6th Annual Wild Blueberry Weekend
Aug. 1-2, 2026
This multi-location event includes farm tours, music, food, and everything wild blueberry. Hosted by the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine.
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Annual Meeting - Hancock County SWCD
Aug 7, 2026 | 10am-1pm
Join us for our annual strategy meeting where we analyze our previous year and make plans for the next. Public attendance and participation is welcome. Lunch provided, please register.
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Wild Blueberry Resilience Summit - Field Day
Fri. Sept 18, 2026 | 9am-3pm
Hosted by Hancock County SWCD and Blue Ridge Farms, this field day draws farmers, conservationists, scientists and the general community for a fun & educational day with expert panels, presentations, demonstrations, vendors, good food, and more.
2026 HCSWCD Event Calendar - Spring and Beyond
Below is a comprehensive list of events we are hosting or co-hosting in for 2026.
● May 1: No Mow May (All Month) — County-wide
● May 1: Plant Sale (8–4) — USDA Office
● May 2: Plant Sale (8–2) — USDA Office
● May 9: Card Brook Clean up (9–12) — 55 Foster St, Ellsworth
● May 13: Trout Sale Pickup — USDA Office (Time TBD)
● May 15–16: Union River Forum — Moore Center, Ellsworth
● May 20: Envirothon — Leonard Mills (School kids)
● May 23: Migratory Fish Day (10–2) — Orland
● May 26: Castine Invasives Workshop — Castine Town Hall 10-3:30 Register
● Jun 4: Back to the Forest Day (9–2) — Woodlawn, Ellsworth (5th Graders)
● Jun 28: Green Ellsworth - Union River Group Paddle
● Jun 30: LakeSmart Buffer Workshop — Beech Hill Pond
● Jul 8: Backyard Rewilding Workshop (9–11) — Franklin Community Center
● Jul 16: Forestry Field Day (9–1) — TBD
● Jul 18: Trenton Butterfly Festival (3–5) — Trenton Fire Pond
● Jul 22: Plant Paddle Workshop — TBD
● Jul 25: Green Ellsworth - Union River Group Paddle
● Aug 4: Lakesmart Buffer Workshop — Branch Lake
● Aug 7: Annual Meeting (12–3) — Ellsworth Gazebo
● Aug TBD: Technical Services Workshop — TBD
● Aug 29: Green Ellsworth - Union River Group Paddle
● Sept 18: Blueberry Field Day (9–2) — TBD
● Oct TBD: Envirothon — TBD
See event details in the Upcoming Events section below.
Questions? Call 207-667-8663
Get Involved
Our conservation work in Hancock County depends on community residents and organizations to support and contribute to it. We maintain a list of conservation-related opportunities that are organized by our partners, and, when possible, we organize events and volunteer opportunities that are specific to our soil and water projects. We invite you to join one or all of these opportunities to stay connected with conservation work in our community.
Complete our Volunteer Sign-Up Form to get started!
We also invite you to consider giving to our District. We accept donations of all sizes, and encourage you to reach out to us if you’re interested in partnering to accomplish and expand conservation goals. Please call us at 207.667.8663 or email hcswcdinfo@hancockcountyswcd.org for more information.
By providing Envirothon and other quality education programs to students today, we hope to ensure the continued value of Maine’s natural resources. Envirothon is aligned with Common Core Standards, the guiding principles for Maine’s education system.
Youth Engagement
Envirothon
What is Envirothon? A natural resource problem-solving competition for grades 9-12. In an outdoor setting, students are tested in five natural resource areas: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and a current national environmental issue. Envirothon is a team effort that includes site-specific, hands-on tasks. A team includes three to five students, an alternate, and an adult advisor. Regional and state competitions are held each spring. The top Maine team qualifies for the North American Envirothon finals, an opportunity to compete against teams from across the United States and Canada.
Why Envirothon? The State of Maine has a long history of natural resource use and management. Maine is 90% forested, has 6,000 lakes and ponds, 4,500 miles of mainland shoreline, and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams. We have an abundance of wildlife and fish, and agriculture continues to be an important resource. The Maine Association of Conservation Districts has a strong, shared commitment to preserving these natural landscapes.