Upcoming events
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2026 Annual Brook Trout Sale
Order through April 15th - Order pick up May 13th
Stock your pond with brook trout from Mi’kmaq Farms in Caribou. Our sale provides an opportunity for local landowners to stock their private ponds with Brook Trout, a tradition that not only provides beautiful fish for your pond, but also supports sustainable aquatic ecosystems and helps preserve Maine’s rich natural heritage.
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Onion Seedlings in a Greenhouse Q&A - MOFGA
Virtual: April 8, 2026 | 6-7:30pm
The start of the growing season is upon us! Join MOFGA for a virtual Gardening Q&A. Have your gardening questions answered by Caleb Goossen, MOFGA's organic crop & conservation specialist, as well as by fellow gardeners.
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Stream Smart Workshop - Ellsworth
April 13, 2026 | 8:30am-12pm
This workshop sponsored by Maine Audubon will be helpful to all professionals who are responsible for road/stream crossings – including contractors, road commissioners, public works departments, conservation commissions, engineers, planners, land trusts, restoration professionals, watershed groups, and private landowners.
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Ash Protection Collaboration Workshop
April 14, 2026 | 4:30pm-5:30pm
Maine Woodland Owners sponsors this online workshop to learn how the Ash Protection Collaborative is working to preserve brown ash threatened by emerald ash borer. Discover how landowners can assist with sampling, seed collection, and sustainable harvesting.
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Plums 101 - MOFGA
Virtual: April 15, 2026 | 6-7pm
Learn about how to care for your plum trees throughout the seasons with this free online class presented by MOFGA.
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Tractor Safety Course - Topsham
5 Wednesdays starting April 22, 2026 | 5:30-7:30pm
This five-week course, which will be held at Topsham Tractor and Equipment in Topsham, starts on April 22. Participants will learn how to handle tractors and equipment safely, how to identify hazards, and how to minimize the chances of accidents.
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Next Level Soil Health Workshop - Standish
April 30, 2026 | 9am-3pm
A full-day program focused on taking farm soil health practices to the next level. This program is for farmers who have experience with soil health practices and want to build on those outcomes and benefits.
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Tree & Shrub Sale - Pick Up Day
May 1st & 2nd 2026
Orders are closed but you can pick up your orders on May 1st from Friday 8-4am and Saturday, May 2nd from 8-1.
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Annual Card Brook Clean Up - Ellsworth
May 9, 2026 (rain date May 16)
The City of Ellsworth is inviting residents, volunteers, and community partners to take part in two annual spring clean-up efforts aimed at improving local roadsides and restoring Card Brook, the City’s urban stream. More info to come.
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Understanding Soil & Compost
May 16, 2026 | 9am-12pm
Native Gardens of Blue Hill presents this event let by Marjorie Peronto and Cathy Rees. Learn about soil texture, structure, organic matter, and how gardening practices and natural processes impact soil characteristics. Learn about composting methods and practices for healthy soil building.
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Annual Lake Conference 2026
June 12, 2026
Mark your calendars for this annual event co-sponsored by Maine Lakes and Lake Stewards of Maine at UMaine Orono. More details and registration information will follow in the coming months.
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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.
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.