Reserve your spot by emailing info@queerlyme.org.

It’s time for the annual alewife migration! Witness hundreds of fish migrate to freshwater. Learn about the life cycle of alewives and the roles they play in our ecosystem.

This gathering is an LGBTQIA+ affinity space led by Sarah Madronal of The Nature Conservancy. Sarah (they/them) works for The Nature Conservancy in Maine as their outreach manager. Their current position with TNC builds on their experience working in the science and education fields, especially their work in community science, which connected adults, children, and local communities with the natural world around them, empowering them to advocate for the health of their own communities. Sarah grew up in the farm country of the Hudson Valley on the west side of the Hudson River. They have been living in Maine for well over a decade and recently moved to Hallowell with their wife, three dogs and two cats.

Program Flow:

1:00 – 1:15 Welcome and Intros

1. 1:15 – 1:45 Exploration and Observations

1. What do you know about alewives?

2. Overview of Alewives (history, biology, ecology)

2. 1:45 – 2:15 Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder Restoration and why are alewives so important?

3. 2:15 – 2:30 wrap up/reflection.

Location Accessibility:

Exact location will be given to those who complete registration.

There is a fairly level packed gravel road between the parking area and the fish ladder where we will gather for part of the program. The fish viewing area after the gravel road/path is a poured concrete pad about 500 sq ft.

No parking is guaranteed because this area is open to the public. The parking area at Fish Ladder is a fairly level broken (some holes and cracks) concrete surface fits about 9 cars. The driveway to the parking lot is about a 30 degree incline (about 50 ft long) and is partially gravel/tar. The secondary gravel parking lot is about 150ft down the road from the fish ladder parking. There is no sidewalk, but the tar road surface is fairly level. The second parking lot can fit about 10 cars. There are also multiple public parking areas around the fish ladder that would require walking down stairs or on the hilly sides of the road. Since there is the road race that morning, police may still be present to help with pedestrian and traffic flow.

Email Info@QueerlyME.org for exact location and registration.

Join Queerly ME and EQME's Network For Older Adults for Intergenerational LGBTQIA+ storytelling and speed friending Saturday May 10th 4:30pm to 6:30pm in Falmouth, ME.

From 4:30pm to 5:30pm, 7 LGBTQIA+ storytellers representing decades of life from their 20s to their 80s will share a short story about the impact of intergenerational friendships on their lives.

Our selected storytellers are:

Emma E. Wellington (age: 20s)

Lia Goncalves (Age: 30s)

Erica Quin-Easter (Age: 40s)

Christopher McLaughlin (Age: 50s)

E. Forrest (age: 60s)

Skip Brushaber (age: 70s)

Lorraine Fine (Age: 80s)

Thank you to The Telling Room for supporting our storytellers through a story development workshop and by providing mentorship throughout this process.

From 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Speak About It will lead the speed friending portion of our event when participants will be paired up with people outside of their generation to connect and engage in conversation prompts. Before this portion of our event, Speak About It will guide a group conversation around boundaries, consent, and how we tell each other stories.

The location we will gather in is ADA compliant. Food will be provided.

The suggested donation for this event is $50.00 to $100.00 per person, which will go to support Queerly ME's mission to foster strong support networks and strengthen community belonging for LGBTQIA+ adults in all 16 counties of Maine through visibility, resource accessibility, and community building outdoors. Thank you for your support!

More about our collaborators!

Network for Older Adults (or NOA) is a statewide program of EQME that seeks to support, connect, and advocate with LGBTQ+ older adults in our community.

Speak About It uses theater and dialogue to empower students to give and get consent, build healthy relationships, and make change in their communities.

The Telling Room empowers youth through writing and share their voices with the world.

This Spring, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from March to May at Crystal Spring Farm (South). These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

After each walk, we’ll be gathering at Wild Oats around 2:15pm to hold more space and time for connecting and socializing. As an added bonus, our friends at Wild Oats have generously given us coupons for attendees to use after our walks to be used on a drink or snack of their choice!

No guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Sunday March 2nd - 1:00pm

Saturday April 5th - 1:00pm

Sunday May 4th - 1:00pm

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Join Queerly ME for an entomology (insect) walk in Falmouth, ME. on Saturday April 26th 1pm to 2pm. Our insect walk will be led by Lindsey, otherwise known as Clamz! Kasino, a drag icon and insect extraordinaire based in Southern ME. Turn over rocks and logs, look through leafy trees, and search the ocean shore and pond for insects of all kinds! We will provide magnifying boxes to place insects into to look at them close up and learn about their many characteristics.

Registration is required as spots are limited; reach out to info@queerlyme.org to receive a link to register and the exact location.

Join Queerly ME and 7 Lakes Alliance for a group breakfast followed by a canoe / kayaking excursion as we identify and learn about birds along the water. Our birding portion will be guided by Master Naturalist Samaa Abdurraqib and all gear will be provided although participants are welcome to bring their own binoculars as well as their own canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards. Please reach out to info@queerlyme.org to request our registration link and the exact address of our gathering in Smithfield. Spots limited, so reach out to register soon!

This Spring, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from March to May at Crystal Spring Farm (South). These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

After each walk, we’ll be gathering at Wild Oats around 2:15pm to hold more space and time for connecting and socializing. As an added bonus, our friends at Wild Oats have generously given us coupons for attendees to use after our walks to be used on a drink or snack of their choice!

No guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Sunday March 2nd - 1:00pm

Saturday April 5th - 1:00pm

Sunday May 4th - 1:00pm

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Email info@queerlyme.org for exact location in Lewiston, ME.

Trail Mixers are casual, outdoor gatherings guided by light conversation starters meant to facilitate meaningful and new community connections out on the trails! Periodically, a new conversation starter will be proposed and attendees will be encouraged to "mix it up" and find a new person to chat with. There is no guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside!

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead soon after 1pm and may not be able to respond to messages if you are late and trying to catch up to us.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Pets are not permitted on this trail.

Bringing some kiddos? Great! Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

This Spring, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from March to May at Crystal Spring Farm (South). These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

After each walk, we’ll be gathering at Wild Oats around 2:15pm to hold more space and time for connecting and socializing. As an added bonus, our friends at Wild Oats have generously given us coupons for attendees to use after our walks to be used on a drink or snack of their choice!

No guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Sunday March 2nd - 1:00pm

Saturday April 5th - 1:00pm

Sunday May 4th - 1:00pm

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Join Queerly ME in partnership with Aldermere Farm for our first Music For Belties event February 22nd 12pm to 2pm. Live music will be played for both humans and the belted galloway herd from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. In between sets of songs, we will share some fun facts about the herd! Folks are encouraged to socialize before and after the musical portion of our event. This space is LGBTQIA+ centered and allies are welcome as well.

Hot drinks will be provided and an indoor location to warm up in, but the concert itself will happen under a covered barn. We will gather under the roofed structure, but the long sides of the barn are exposed to the elements, so wear warm layers!

There is a suggested donation of $30 to $50 per attendee! Proceeds will be split between Queerly ME and Aldermere Farm. Registration is required and capacity is limited, so sign up soon to claim your spot!

Join Queerly ME at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands’s Winter Outdoor Extravaganza Saturday February 15th at 11:30am to 12:30pm for a LGBTQIA+ Trail Mixer!

Trail Mixers are casual, outdoor gatherings guided by light conversation starters meant to facilitate meaningful and new community connections out on the trails! Periodically, a new conversation starter will be proposed and attendees will be encouraged to "mix it up" and find a new person to chat with. There is no guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside!

We will be meeting at the boat launch at Range Pond State Park, 26 State Park Road Poland, ME. where we will walk the Green Trail near the Winter Outdoor Extravaganza event.

Directions: After passing through the state park booth, walk over to the first parking lot to the left. The Registration Tent will be all the way down on the left side. The boat launch is just beyond that. The trail loop will be marked with green arrows in the snow from the registration tent location. The trail ground will be packed down by a snow mobile, but please bring supportive winter footwear or traction pads for this walk!

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead soon after 11:30am and may not be able to respond to messages if you are late and trying to catch up to us.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

Bringing some kiddos? Great! Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

Trail Mixers are our most popular and most frequent program! Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties. We're delighted that the Trail Mixer model has now expanded to other partnerships and natural spaces across Maine.

Join Queerly ME and Falmouth Land Trust for a LGBTQIA+ planting social Saturday January 18th 12pm to 1:30pm at 74 Woodville Road in Falmouth! Let’s plant some seeds and seedlings, and talk about the year ahead in a cozy, heated greenhouse. Registration required, as space is limited!

The following will be provided to registered attendees:

• Native seeds from Wild Seed Project (New England Asters, Wild Bee Balm, Virginia Mountain Mint, and Three-lobed Cone Flower)

• Seedlings from Skillins Greenhouse (various indoor succulents)

• Peat pots & soil from Falmouth Land Trust

• Hot Drinks & snacks from Queerly ME

We will have info. on plant and seed care; however this activity is intended as a self / peer-guided social!

QueerlyME and the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are hosting a gathering at the Gardens! Celebrate community and connection with this event designed for the queer community to come together and enjoy the magic of the winter season. Please note that this event is a designed affinity space for LGBTQIA+ community members across Maine.

Wander the lit paths surrounded by nature, join a guided tour, or gather in the Café for hot cocoa (on us!) and mingling. Other drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Our central garden areas are designed to be ADA-compliant, offering accessible pathways for all. Electric scooters and wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis to help ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, free of charge.

Schedule

• Winter Wetlands Tour @ 2:15 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.

• Let's Talk Biodiversity Tour @ 2:15 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.

• Trail Mixer @ 4:30 p.m: Join us for a casual, outdoor gathering guided by light conversation starters meant to facilitate meaningful and new community connections! Periodically, a new conversation starter will be proposed and attendees will be encouraged to "mix it up" and find a new person to chat with. The first Trail Mixers began in 2022 through an intentional collaboration between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust's Lydia Coburn and Queerly ME's Kyle Warnock. Since then, hundreds of LGBTQIA+ community members have found connection with nature and one another on these seasonal walks at various Brunswick-Topsham area properties.

Please note: tours are drop-in and first-come, first-served. The Trail Mixer is a drop-in gathering.

Admission is offered on a sliding scale, with half of the proceeds supporting QueerlyME’s mission of creating and increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility, resource accessibility, and Queer centered outdoor programming in Maine. This is a chance to meet new friends, explore the Gardens’ winter beauty, and share a warm, welcoming space. Don’t miss this cozy opportunity to connect and celebrate with QueerlyME and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens!

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a nonprofit botanical garden with the mission to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.

This fall, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from October-December at a BTLT property. These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

After each walk, we’ll be gathering at Wild Oats around 2:15pm to hold more space and time for connecting and socializing. As an added bonus, our friends at Wild Oats have generously given us coupons for attendees to use after our walks to be used on a drink or snack of their choice!

No guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Sunday October 27th - 1:00pm - Crystal Spring Farm (South) - Farmers' Market parking lot

Saturday November 16th - 1:00pm - Androscoggin Woods

Sunday December 8th - 1:00pm - Crystal Spring Farm (South) - Farmers' Market parking lot

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Join Queerly ME in partnership with 7 Lakes Alliance for a LGBTQIA+ centered campfire night. Expect smores, campfire stories, and star gazing in a comfy, late Autumn space. There will be indoor spaces to warm up further and restrooms nearby. There is ample parking on the street as well as in the 7 Lakes Alliance parking lot.

We can’t wait to see you all there!

Come out to support Queerly ME at Maine Roller Derby’s November annual benefit bout! The audience can expect a shake up to the usual teams and rules of a Maine Roller Derby bout. This November, YOU can influence the outcome of the game and support us in the process!

In addition to the roller derby action, this event will offer a family-friendly atmosphere with food and beverage options, merchandise, and opportunities to meet the athletes. Attendees are encouraged to bring their friends and families to enjoy an evening of excitement and entertainment. Don’t miss your chance to witness the action-packed Benefit Bout and support your local roller derby athletes!

This fall, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from October-December at a BTLT property. These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

After each walk, we’ll be gathering at Wild Oats around 2:15pm to hold more space and time for connecting and socializing. As an added bonus, our friends at Wild Oats have generously given us coupons for attendees to use after our walks to be used on a drink or snack of their choice!

No guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Sunday October 27th - 1:00pm - Crystal Spring Farm (South) - Farmers' Market parking lot

Saturday November 16th - 1:00pm - Androscoggin Woods

Sunday December 8th - 1:00pm - Cathance River Nature Preserve

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

This fall, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust andQueerly ME will host casual, outdoor meet-ups at 1:00pm once a month from October-December at a BTLT property. These walks will involve some light conversation starters and activities meant to get folks connecting with one another on the trail.

After each walk, we’ll be gathering at Wild Oats around 2:15pm to hold more space and time for connecting and socializing. As an added bonus, our friends at Wild Oats have generously given us coupons for attendees to use after our walks to be used on a drink or snack of their choice!

No guided tour, no cost, no registration required. Just an open invitation for Queer/LGBTQIA+ folks (and allies) of all ages and backgrounds, to gather in a natural safe space, connect with one another, and spend time outside! (And then at Wild Oats afterwards)

Sunday October 27th - 1:00pm - Crystal Spring Farm (South) - Farmers' Market parking lot

Saturday November 16th - 1:00pm - Androscoggin Woods

Sunday December 8th - 1:00pm - Cathance River Nature Preserve

Some things to keep in mind:

• Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early! We will be leaving for our walk from the trailhead at 1:05pm to maximize our walk time.

• We highly encourage carpooling!

• There is no registration, you can just show up.

• Bringing a dog? Please make sure they are leashed at all times and that you clean up after them.

• Bringing some kiddos? Please make sure they (and you!) are dressed for the weather and terrain.

• Bringing a camera? Fantastic! Just make sure you have consent if taking photos of other people.

All properties, events, and programs managed by BTLT are open to everyone. However, as part of BTLT’s mission to connect people to nature by providing recreational opportunities, BTLT acknowledges that the outdoors have historically not been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Queerly ME, this event series aims to provide intergenerational safe spaces for connection, community building, and outdoor exploration amongst the LGBTQIA+ community.

Join Queerly ME and Langlais Art Preserve for Queerly's second annual Queer Art Immersion! This is a LGBTQIA+ affinity space for those ages 18+. Spots limited, registration required.

This event is catered to LGBTQIA+ artists, regardless of skill level, who are interested in exploring nature-based art mediums and collaborative art making within a space fostering community connection.

Tickets are set on a sliding scale from $50.00 to $100.00 with a portion of spots funded fully by our mutual aid fund; however, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. If you find that our mutual aid funded spots have been spoken for, please email kwarnock@queerlyme.org to inquire into having costs waivered.

Accessibility: Activities and workshops will occur both indoors and outdoors across the Langlais Art Preserve campus. The land is relatively flat without significant hills or obstacles. The studio space entrances are flat to the ground without stairs to climb. There is a 1/4 mile ADA-accessible path we will use to access different activity spaces.

To learn more about Langlais Art Preserve, please visit https://langlaisarttrail.org/langlais-preserve/.

Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Lunch will accommodate folks who are GF, vegan, and vegetarian. All supplies will be provided for workshops, although attendees are welcome to bring their own if preferred.

Itinerary

10:00am: Orientation / Social

• Introductions. Refreshments provided.

10:30am: Sculpture Walk / Tour of Campus

• Langlais Art Preserve is home to a sculpture park. We will take a walk along the paths, discuss the significance of each sculpture, and familiarize ourselves with the campus.

11:00am: Nature Observation & Figure Drawing or Fairy House Making

• Attendees will be able to choose between a sketching activity involving nature observation and figure drawing, or work to incorporate found materials into eco-sculptures for a nearby fairy house village.

12:00pm: Group Banner or Collage

• Attendees will be able to choose between contributing to a collaborative group banner or interact with our collage table using a robust selection of materials.

1pm: Lunch provided by Wild Oats

1:30pm: Eco Printing & Bundle Dyeing Workshop led by Al Dettmann

Al Dettmann (they/them) is a trans fibers artist focusing on mixed-media & fine art practices. Growing up in Maine, they have always been a creative spirit that loves exploring the natural environment and connecting with communities around the world. Earning their BFA in Fibers from Savannah College of Art and Design, they hope to share their love of color, hand-painted textures, and patchwork surfaces with communities of creatives. Based out of Brooklyn, NY, they are on their latest adventure growing their studio practice while instructing youth at the Textile Arts Center. With all of their work, their greatest passion is to uplift queer voices through art & design and constantly create wonders that inspire all of us to live our messy lives beautifully, boldly, and authentically.

• Bundle dyeing will involve individuals using plant materials to create colors and textures on fabric. They will learn about natural dyeing processes by placing plant materials on fabric, rolling it up, bundling it, and then steaming it in hot water. 

• Eco-printing will involve individuals collecting plants, leaves and flower materials to create nature-derived shapes, colors, and prints on fabric. Wherever plant material is hammered or placed on fabric, it will create a contact print in the shape of the leaf or flower used.

3:00pm: Wrap-Up

• Attendees will have time to revisit any projects they wish to wrap up.

• Everyone will gather to reflect on our Queer Art Immersion experience. Attendees will be encouraged to share any art they've made with the group that they feel comfortable sharing.

4:00pm: End

If you have any questions, please reach out to kwarnock@queerlyme.org.

Join Queerly ME and Maine Coast Heritage Trust for a LGBTQIA+ centered community harvest day!

We will be harvesting seasonal produce to support Erickson Fields Farm and each participant will be able to take some produce home with them as well! After harvesting our produce, everyone will be invited to do a short tour of Erickson Fields, the 4-acre vegetable plot and surrounding preserve area and walk along OUT Maine’s art show along a 1.4 mile loop trail.

All ages are welcome. Allies are welcome.

More info on Erickson Fields: https://www.mcht.org/preserve/erickson-fields/

Join Queerly ME in partnership with SailMaine to get out on the water and learn the basics of sailing! This event is a designated LGBTQIA+ affinity space and for ages 18 and up.

Suggested donation for this event is $50.00-$175.00 per person towards Queerly ME. Donors play a crucial role in advancing our mission, expanding our reach, and continuing to organize year-round programming outdoors. As a new grassroots nonprofit, your support directly impacts our ability to continue our vital work and further foster a sense of belonging and unity within the LGBTQIA+ community in Maine.

Donations are nonrefundable.

Join Queerly ME and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust for a LGBTQIA+ community potluck at the Tom Settlemire Community Garden in Brunswick Saturday August 10th 12pm to 1:30pm! Gather in community as we share food and a beautiful outdoor space while playing yard games and basking in the Summer weather. Not sure what food to bring? Stop by the BTLT Saturday Farmers' Market at Crystal Spring Farm and find something tasty amongst the abundance of summer harvest goodies from our local farmers. It'll also be an extra special Market day, as BTLT is celebrating National Farmers Market Week! All ages welcome! No pets allowed this time around. We hope to see you there!

Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust’s role in our communities extends well beyond educational and community events. In addition to the conservation of over 3,200 acres of land for recreation, agriculture, and protection of habitat and scenic values, we also operate the Saturday Farmers' Market, the Tom Settlemire Community Garden, and the Cathance River Education Alliance. From the hiking trails around Androscoggin River to our beloved Crystal Spring Farm, our members and partners have given area families and future generations room to play, forests to discover, working farms to support our local economy, and the best local food we could hope for. If you are already a member of the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, thank you -- your support helps to make it possible to build community through conservation, and keep most of our events free to attend. If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to consider it.

You can click here to learn more about Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust membership.

Please join Vessel & Vine for four courses that will highlight the bounty of the woods and fields of Maine in July. Each course will be accompanied by cocktails and beverages that complement each dish.

Stay tuned for menu! Dinner starts at 6 PM

$90/Per Person includes $20 donation to Queerly ME (not including tax or service charge)

Call Vessel and Vine at 207-721-3000 to request your reservation.

Please inquire if you have dietary restrictions or allergies and we will let you know if we can accommodate them!

We will be foraging edible and medicinal seasonal mushrooms and learning about the basics of mushroom identification. Some varieties that we might see in the area include chanterelles, American caesars, and black trumpets!

We encourage a donation of $15.00 to $30.00 per person to cover the costs of this event as well as support Queerly ME's future programming and development as a new grassroots non-profit. Every contribution makes a positive impact on Queerly ME's growth and capacity to create more community spaces like these!

This event is LGBTQIA+ centered. Exact address will be shared with registered attendees only.

Prior registration is required!

More about Rachel Criswell, our foraging lead for this event: Rachel is a resident of Mount Vernon, where she raises her family, six goats, a dog, three cats, and many chickens on 45 acres of meadow and woodland. A lifelong fan of nature, she began foraging in earnest five years ago after falling in love with mushrooms on a foraging walk with her medical residency. Since then, she has gotten to know Maine plants and mushrooms, with a focus on edible and medicinal varieties. She works to incorporate herbal medicine into her family medicine practice, and she is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Fellowship in Integrative Medicine. She enjoys introducing others -especially kids!- to the plants around them and has led numerous local foraging walks. Her favorite mushroom is a black trumpet, although her “white whale” is a morel, which she has yet to find without the help of her daughter.

Join Queerly ME and Vessel & Vine for an LGBTQIA+ patio social in Brunswick July 18th 5pm to 8pm! Gather on the covered patio rain or shine to connect with community and support our fundraising series this July. We can’t wait to see all of you there!

Join Queerly ME and Maine Coast Heritage Trust for an island adventure on Saturday July 13th! Participants will take a boat out across the water to Monroe Island, do a group hike through the 1.5 mile trail system, and end the afternoon by eating packed lunches by the sea.

Prior registration required.

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Queerly ME is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating and increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility, resource accessibility, and Queer centered outdoor programming encouraging long lasting community connections in Maine.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) is a nonprofit land conservation organization protecting and caring for vital coastal lands. They partner with individuals, organizations, businesses, and communities to conserve iconic islands, critical wildlife habitat, coastal watersheds, water access sites, downtown greenspaces, and beautiful places for people to explore. Their Land Trust Program has supported and strengthened Maine’s entire land conservation community of over 80 land trusts.

Join Vessel & Vine for an immersive class where we will discuss and explore the multitude of cooking and preservation techniques that can be used to turn foraged wild foods into delectable and nutritious dishes everyone will enjoy.  Price includes foraged snacks and cocktails/mocktails that will highlight those techniques! You'll even get to take home a foraged goodie to add to your pantry.  

$60/Per Person includes $30 donation to Queerly ME (not including tax or service charge).

Call Vessel and Vine at 207-721-3000 to sign up!