Join us on National Trails Day, June 1st, for the first in a series of Explore ALT Nature Walks! This first event will be at Purinton Homestead Preserve in West Bowdoin led by Maine Master Naturalist, Travis Sparks. The focus of this walk on the mile of trail at Purinton will be forest succession, a natural pattern of ecosystem change that takes place over time.

Explore ALT Nature Walks are free, guided adventures at Androscoggin Land Trust conservation areas. Led by trained Maine Master Naturalists and other volunteer leaders, these walks are a great chance to learn more about the natural world and local conservation efforts. Each walk will have a focus depending on the season and the location, but we will explore whatever we might observe!

Please dress according to the weather, and prepare appropriately for any weather or other conditions – proper footwear, snacks, water bottle, etc. The walks are great for engaged children, but not appropriate for those under age 6. Also, because the goal is nature observation, no dogs please.

Please check back here for any updates or changes.

About Purinton Homestead Conservation Area: An undeveloped and traditional rural agrarian and forest preserve with 1 mile of wooded walking trails in the village of West Bowdoin. The land was generously donated to the Androscoggin Land Trust in 2001 by the Purinton Family. The Preserve includes a 40-acre field and 100 acres of woods with frontage along Gillespie Brook owned by ALT as well as the privately-owned historic Purinton family home and adjacent 9-acres which ALT holds a conservation easement on.  Gillespie Brook, empties into Little River which is good potential salmon habitat. Hay is still being harvested from the fields. Additional property information here.

Directions: (GPS: 54-10 W Rd, Bowdoin, ME 04287) Follow Route 196 in Lewiston north to the intersection with South Lisbon Road in Lewiston.  Turn left onto South Lisbon Road and follow to intersection with Crowley Road.  Turn left onto Crowley Road and follow until the Town of Sabattus where it turns to Bowdoinham Road.   Continue on Bowdoinham Road until you cross into the Town of Lisbon where it becomes the Store Road.  At the intersection with West Road, turn left onto West Road and follow past the field on the right.  When the fields turn to woods again, look for a sandy informal parking area on the right, which is adjacent to the trailhead.

Upcoming Explore ALT Nature Walks:

• Saturday, July 6, 10:00am – 11:30am
  Sherwood Forest Conservation Area, Auburn
  Focus: TBD
• Sunday, August 4, 10:00am – 11:30am
  Spruce Mountain Conservation Area, Jay
  Focus: TBD