Updated February 6, 2010
• Bearce-Allen Interpretive Trail: Our new guide to the interpretive trail at the Bearce-Allen Preserve is available here as a pdf document (2.5 Mb). This booklet, which highlights 21 points of interest, is designed to
serve as a guide to inform you about the unique features of this landscape. Enjoy your walk!
• Watershed Kids Summer Camp 2010: Get your  kids connected (or re-connected) with the land and the natural world around them with Pemaquid Watershed Association's Watershed Kids Nature Day Camp. Read more and download a brochure at our Education Page. Be sure to come back and finish reading about "What's New"!
• Appropriation Request – Town of Bristol: PWA is pleased to report that we successfully acquired the requisite
number of signatures to put an appropriation request before the Town of
Bristol this year. Thanks go to PWA volunteer Vincent Frazzetta for doing
the legwork to collect the signatures among the four post offices and
library. Thanks also are due to Phil Averill and the town office staff for
their last minute collection of a handful of needed signatures. And, to all
the Bristol Registered Voters who signed our petition, we say Thank You!
Funding from the towns that PWA serves is an important part of PWA's modest
operating budget.
• Welcome Becky Kolak: The Pemaquid Watershed  Association (PWA) is pleased to welcome Becky Kolak as their Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) AmeriCorps Member through October 2010. Becky was born and raised ... more ...
• Gift Memberships: For those who care deeply about the Pemaquid Peninsula environment -- its special lands, river, ponds, and beaches -- membership in the Pemaquid Watershed Association makes a meaningful gift for holiday giving, one that can be enjoyed all year round and multiplies its benefit for greater good. Gift memberships can be given at any level, starting at only $25.00 for an Individual 1-year membership. The gift recipient will receive a hand-written note announcing the gift and the benefits of membership, which include a subscription to PWA’s newsletter and optional advance notice of activities and special events. In addition, as a special bonus for gift memberships of $35 or more, the recipient will receive a PWA tee-shirt or baseball cap featuring the beautiful PWA loon logo.
It couldn’t be easier to give the gift of PWA membership. Simply fill out a Gift Membership Form (pdf download) or call PWA at 207-563-2196 or stop by their office the next time you are in Damariscotta (above Salt Bay Café) during a weekday. For directions and more information, visit our about PWA page.
Since 1966, Pemaquid Watershed Association’s work to conserve the natural resources of the Pemaquid peninsula has been funded by membership support, so gifting a membership in PWA helps continue a legacy of environmental protection for public enjoyment now and in the future.
• Fall Newsletter – Mailed & Online: The Fall 2009 edition of the "Watershed Watch" newsletter has been mailed, and also is available online on our Watershed Watch page.
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Standpipe Redemption on Mills Road in Newcastle (next to Lincoln County Publishing) is now accepting bottle returns with pro-ceeds directed to PWA. Just let them know to send your redemption amount to PWA. It's that easy. They are open Mon-Sat from 8-5. They also do business pick-ups (to arrange, call 563-1520).
Older News:
• Thank-You Gala for Volunteers: On the late afternoon of Saturday, October 17, PWA held its annual Volunteer Gala to celebrate the dedication of those who give of their time, talent, and energy to power the PWA mission. Forty two PWA volunteers mingled amidst the lovely and spacious home of Mary Berger on the shore of Biscay Pond in Bremen and enjoyed an indoor picnic of grilled burgers, hotdogs, and chicken breast, delicious side dishes such as baked beans and German potato salad, and a mind-boggling selection of desserts including a special cake decorated with a loon and the message “Thank You PWA Volunteers!”. There were at least another 50 very active volunteers who weren’t able to attend the gala, yet their contributions were acknowledged when Executive Director Donna Minnis stated "I want them to know that each and every one of them was celebrated and appreciated despite their absence.”
Attendees were adorned with labels listing each of the volunteer roles they have filled, allowing them to be recognized for their involvement. The labels also helped others become familiar with the dozens of volunteer opportunities available with PWA (check our Volunteer page for examples of volunteer activities).
In addition to appreciating the contributions of our volunteers, PWA extends deep gratitude to Damariscotta Bank and Trust for their financial support and to Yellowfront Grocery for donating the chicken and hotdogs.
Masters Machine Company Adopts La Verna: The Pemaquid Watershed Association accepted the formal transfer from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of the 120-acre La Verna Preserve in the village of Chamberlain in Bristol, Maine, in 2009.
 Masters Machine Company has adopted the La Verna Preserve as part of Pemaquid Watershed Association’s Adopt-A-Trail Program. “We are extremely grateful for Masters Machine Company’s support of this magnificent preserve. It is a beautiful thing when a local business invests in its local environment. Everyone benefits,” said PWA Executive Director, Donna Minnis, shown above with Masters Machine Company Vice-President of Manufacturing, George Masters, Jr., and the sign that will be posted at the La Verna Preserve kiosk to acknowledge the company’s adoption of the preserve.
The La Verna preserve features some 3,600 feet of shoreline, 2.5 miles of trails, and a diverse array of wildlife habitat, including mixed hardwoods, coniferous forests, forested wetlands, freshwater marsh, and gently sloping overgrown farmland.
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Activities in support of the PWA’s goals have
three major components. Our water quality monitoring program establishes
sound baseline data from which we can monitor future changes in
water quality. Our Earthways™ (www.earthways.org) environmental education program aims
to increase understanding of the natural resources of the watershed
and the practices that promote compatible development. Beachcombers’ Rest
Nature Center at Pemaquid Beach helps to promote stewardship of
the beach and local environment. Protection of areas of ecological
and scenic value through the land trust program represents the
third aspect of our activities.
