Contact: Dana Bettez
Membership & Engagement Manager
dana@sopolandtrust.org
South Portland Land Trust to Host Earth Day Activities
South Portland, Maine (April 7, 2024) - South Portland Land Trust (SPLT) is once again excited to host a number of events on Earth Day weekend, including their annual Earth Day Clean up on Sunday, April 21st. SPLT has hosted this citywide clean up for over 30 years and this year the organization is thrilled to partner with 207 Realty Partners and Portland Millennials for two additional Earth Day projects.
SPLT’s Annual Clean Up is open to anyone who wants to help clean up the city’s open spaces, parks, and trails. Check-in begins in Mill Creek Park at 9:30 a.m., where volunteers will collect supplies provided by SPLT and head to various pre-designated locations throughout the city to clean up. Happening mid-morning on Sunday is a South Branch Trail Project organized by Portland Millennials. Volunteers will cut back invasive species, pick up trash, rake timber steps, relocate and rebuild part of the trail, and spread mulch. After the project, enjoy a late lunch with the group at Elevation Burger. Representatives from SPLT will lead this project, and registration is required through Portland Millennials. Lastly, join SPLT and 207 Realty Partners for a Trail Work Day on Trout Brook Nature Trail. This event is open to the public and work will focus on cutting down invasive bittersweet vines in the nature preserve. For more information on these events, visit southportlandlandtrust.org/upcoming-events. All three events are weather permitting.
The weekend after Earth Day, on Saturday, April 27th, join SPLT and and Cultivating Well-Being for a family workshop: Willow Nesting Ball Making and Trout Brook Exploration. This workshop takes place at the South Portland Library (Main Branch), where participants will enjoy tea and a short presentation before creating their own willow nesting materials ball. Each family member will leave with a nesting materials ball to either take home or hang in the woods in Trout Brook. Participants will also explore the nature preserve and take part in activities facilitated by Cultivating Well-Being. Registration is $10 per person at southportlandlandtrust.org/upcoming-events.
“We are so excited to partner with a number of local groups to celebrate Earth Day with projects across the city,” said Dana Bettez, SPLT Membership & Engagement Manager. “Our annual clean up is always a popular event, and over the past couple years we have been fortunate to have community groups reach out to see how they can support us and help care for South Portland’s green spaces and trails.” Groups and organizations are welcome to participate in Sunday’s events or organize their own Earth Day clean up or activity with assistance from SPLT. Contact Dana Bettez (dana@sopolandtrust.org) so that SPLT can offer guidance and document the clean up.
Saturday, April 20th, through Sunday, April 21st, Two Fat Cats Bakery: Purchase fresh baked goods at Two Fat Cats Bakery at 740 Broadway on Earth Day weekend and they will donate a percentage of sales to SPLT!
Sunday, April 21st, 9:30 a.m., Earth Day Clean Up: Take part in the SPLT’s annual Earth Day Clean Up with check-in at Mill Creek Park. Pre-registration is encouraged.
Sunday, April 21st, 11:00 a.m., South Branch Trail Work Day: Work with Portland Millennials on a South Branch Trail Project. Tasks include cleaning up, rebuilding the trail, and spreading mulch. Registration required at meetup.com; waitlist available.
Sunday, April 21st, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Trout Brook Trail Work Day: Cut down invasive bittersweet with SPLT and 207 Realty on Trout Brook Nature Trail. Pre-registration is encouraged.
Saturday, April 27th, 1:00-3:00 p.m., South Portland Public Library & Trout Brook Trail: Create willow nesting material balls to take home or hang in Trout Brook and explore the preserve with SPLT and Cultivating Well-Being, a partnership formed by two registered horticultural therapists living and working in southern Maine. $10/per person.
To learn more and register for these events, visit southportlandlandtrust.org/upcoming-events.
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About South Portland Land Trust
South Portland Land Trust is a nonprofit organization committed to linking neighborhoods and improving quality of life in South Portland through expanding the city’s trail network, conserving open space, and educating the public on issues related to trails and open space. It holds eighteen properties and easements within the City of South Portland to preserve natural habitats, trail access, and open space for public enjoyment.
Please visit www.southportlandlandtrust.org for more information.
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