Upcoming Events
OWLette Adventure Camp
Campers learn outdoor and naturalist skills in an inclusive, non-competitive environment.
Monday-Thursday, June 22-25. Monday and Tuesday: 9 am-3 pm. Wednesday-Thursday: 3 pm-overnight-1 pm. Based at Milbridge Commons Wellness Park and McClellan Park for the camping night. For girls ages 11-14. Free of charge. Register here
Bird Camp
Bird Camp with Downeast Audubon and Birdsacre
Campers will be immersed in the world of birds through hands-on science, up-close sketching of bird ambassadors, and trail exploration.
Tuesday - Friday, July 21-24, 1:30-4:30 pm. Based at Birdsacre, Ellsworth. For youth ages 10-14. Free of charge. Register here
Watershed Camp
Watershed Camp with Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Campers will explore the landscape through canoeing, hiking, hands-on exploration, active nature games, and mindful journaling to build knowledge and skills for a lifetime of scientific learning.
Monday -Thursday, August 10-13, 9 am-3 pm. Based at Orange River Preserve, Whiting. For youth ages 10 - 13. Free of charge. Register here
Butterfly Festival
WHRL will host an engaging, fun, free, family-friendly Butterfly Festival at Milbridge Commons Wellness Park on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The day will begin with a workshop, “Monarch’s Milkweed and Magic.” We’ll have educational stations to see Monarch caterpillars, chrysalis, and butterflies up close, a pollinator garden education station, a nature scavenger hunt, a story walk, captivating butterfly crafts for children, and a butterfly parade around The Commons.
The Butterfly Festival will celebrate the importance of butterflies in our ecosystem with fun activities, hands-on crafts, and opportunities to get up close with Monarch Butterflies, learn about their habitats, and what you can do to make a difference.
Milbridge Commons Wellness Park, home of WHRL’s largest Incredible Edible Milbridge garden and the Ed Flanagan Pollinator Garden, is the perfect setting to celebrate the beauty and diversity of butterflies.
Come dressed as your favorite butterfly for a morning of summer fun!
Spring on the Farm
BETTER MILBRIDGE PRESENTS
FREE - 2nd ANNUAL SPRING AT THE FARM EVENT!
Saturday, May 2nd (10am to 2pm)
Many FREE Farm Activities and Fun to Enjoy!
Mill River Ranch - 3 Old County Rd. In Milbridge
Everyone of all ages from around the area is welcome!
Better Milbridge, in conjunction with our great friends at Mill River Ranch, is excited to sponsor the Second Annual FREE SPRING AT THE FARM DAY in Milbridge!
Many FREE family-friendly activities are planned, including:
1) Visits and interactions with baby bunnies, a baby alpaca, lambs, goats, piglets, mini horses, mini donkeys, and cows!
2) Back-to-Nature Scavenger Hunt
3) Plant-a-Seed Station (kids decorate a seed pot and plant a seed to take home)
4) Build Your Own Pine Cone Bird/Animal Feeder to take home
5) Face Painting
6) Bounce House
7) Giant Bubble Wands for Giant Bubble Making (FREE for each child 12 and under)
8. Digging for Earthworms Competition (over 1,000 worms to find!)
This event is part of Better Milbridge's mission is to eliminate economic barriers so everyone in our area can participate and enjoy family friendly events like these.
* A huge thank you to the French family and helpers at Mill River Ranch for hosting the event at their farm!
Infant and Toddler Playgroup
Come join us for a weekly drop-in playgroup at WHRL on Wednesdays from 10-11 am! Enjoy some adult company while your kiddos socialize and play in a new environment. WHRL provides all play materials.
This is for parents and caregivers with kids newborn to 5 years old.
From June through August, WHRLigig will meet at Milbridge Commons Wellness Park. If raining, we’ll meet at WHRL! Please leave your dogs home for these playgroups!
Note: If Milbridge area schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, WHRLigig will be canceled.
For more information: https://whrl.org/programs/family/
Infant and Toddler Playgroup
Come join us for a weekly drop-in playgroup at WHRL on Wednesdays from 10-11 am! Enjoy some adult company while your kiddos socialize and play in a new environment. WHRL provides all play materials.
This is for parents and caregivers with kids newborn to 5 years old.
From June through August, WHRLigig will meet at Milbridge Commons Wellness Park. If raining, we’ll meet at WHRL! Please leave your dogs home for these playgroups!
Note: If Milbridge area schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, WHRLigig will be canceled.
For more information: https://whrl.org/programs/family/
Farming the Sea: Exploring Aquaculture (Tweens, Teens, Adults)
Introduction to Aquaculture
Equipment Examples
Learn about more programming
To register, call (207)483-4547 or email gallisonml@gmail.com.
Farming the Sea: Exploring Aquaculture (Young Farmers)
Learn about sea farming with fun activites.
Register by calling: (207)483-4547 or emailing gallisonml@gmail.com.
OWL Family Outdoor Exploration Day
Spring has sprung, so let’s get outside together! Join Haley Estabrook, a Registered Maine Guide from Maine Outdoor School, for a morning of outdoor fun and exploration for the whole family at the Maine Seacoast Mission. We will make trail mix, identify animal signs, go on a nature scavenger hunt, and have the opportunity to win some outdoorsy prizes.
This event is a free drop-in program for all ages. We hope you join us for a fun morning of snacks, nature-based activities, fascinating facts, and time to connect with other local families.
Reach out to Lizzie Cunningham by phone at 901-213-6667 or by email at lizzie@whrl.org with any questions.
Infant and Toddler Playgroup
Come join us for a weekly drop-in playgroup at WHRL on Wednesdays from 10-11 am! Enjoy some adult company while your kiddos socialize and play in a new environment. WHRL provides all play materials.
This is for parents and caregivers with kids newborn to 5 years old.
From June through August, WHRLigig will meet at Milbridge Commons Wellness Park. If raining, we’ll meet at WHRL! Please leave your dogs home for these playgroups!
Note: If Milbridge area schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, WHRLigig will be canceled.
For more information: https://whrl.org/programs/family/
Paint-a-Gnome with Maeve
What: Join local artist Maeve Perry for a drop-in workshop where we will paint polymer clay gnomes for the home or garden.
Where: EdGE Building, 7 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield
Cost: Free
Other: Food and drink provided
Contact: Maine Seacoast Mission 207-598-6799 or klogan@seacoastmission.com
Homeschool Program: Amphibians and Macroinvertebrates
HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM
Maine Outdoor School with Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Independent Downeast Educational Alliance (IDEA)
Wednesday, April 8th, 1pm-3pm - Amphibians and Macroinvertebrates
What species rely on wet places at different times of year? What are amphibians and what do they need, especially in the spring? Participants will look for vernal pools and get to know the creatures that rely on hiding in wet places, especially in the spring. Bring bug nets, nature journals, magnifying glasses, and identification resources if you have them; otherwise, supplies will be available to borrow.
Infant and Toddler Playgroup
Come join us for a weekly drop-in playgroup at WHRL on Wednesdays from 10-11 am! Enjoy some adult company while your kiddos socialize and play in a new environment. WHRL provides all play materials.
This is for parents and caregivers with kids newborn to 5 years old.
From June through August, WHRLigig will meet at Milbridge Commons Wellness Park. If raining, we’ll meet at WHRL! Please leave your dogs home for these playgroups!
Note: If Milbridge area schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, WHRLigig will be canceled.
For more information: https://whrl.org/programs/family/