A Naturalists’ Week at Bearnstow — An Informal Investigation

August 26–September 1 (or 3), 2012
How many species and formations can you identify?
(Hold mouse over image to pause slide changes.)
Bearnstow lies on 65 acres of nearly pristine woodland alongside 2,400 feet of Parker Pond’s rocky shoreline. In a walk along the trails beside the lake and the brook, we can see a vast variety of vegetation—according to one state forester, “more than any other site I have visited.” Since 1922 the property has been carelfully protected, first by Colby College biology professor Webster Chester, and then by Bearnstow.

We have a registered State of Maine “Big Tree” (an Alleghany service berry), erratic boulders, clay subsoil, ground pines, trailing arbutus, five kinds of native evergreens visible from one vista, reindeer moss, and lichen once used to make lavender dye. The pure water of Parker Pond is phenomenal: over the years it has never failed to test drinking safe.

Join us for a week (or for as many days of the week as you can) of informal exploration and investigation of Beanstow’s great biological diversity. Walk the trails, led by naturalists and environmentalists. And enjoy the other facilities Bearnstow has to offer—cook hot dogs and s'mores outdoors, swim, canoe, and enjoy quiet time by the lake. Accommodations are provided (see Housing & Meals). A tentatative schedule is outlined below:

Sunday, August 26:  Arrive and check in on Sunday afternoon and join us for family-style dinner at 6:30.

Monday, 8/27:  “Walk and Talk” on campus. Review the plant records, augment and arrange. Measure King’s Pines, erratics, rock movement.

Tuesday, 8/28:  Boating and canoeing along the shore of Parker Pond—rough mapping; depth measurement; document aquatic plants, fish, and other fauna; observe rock formations, driftwood, etc.

Wednesday, 8/29:  Walk and Talk the first half of the Walton Trail. Start a “Trail Journal.”

Thursday, 8/30:  Explore the brook and springs on the property. Observe the fauna and flora, natural dams, oxbows, vernal pools, geological features; conduct water quality tests.

Friday, 8/31:  Walk and Talk the last half of the Walton Trail. Continue the Trail Journal. Return to camp and gather records, Friday evening dinner.

Saturday, 9/1:  Breakfast and all records wind-up. Return home. Since this is Labor Day Weekend we offer the option of extending your stay through lunch on Monday, September 3.

Arrive on Sunday, August 26 (or later in the week), and stay for as many days as you wish through Monday noon, September 3. For this week guest fees apply: $75.00 first day per person, $60 per day subsequent days; children under 10 (housed with parents) half price. Register online below or download and print the Guest Registration form: PDF version or MSWord version.