Hidden Valley Nature Center

Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley Nature Center is a community-based and supported nonprofit organization in Jefferson, Maine encompassing 1000 acres with 25 miles of trails. Offering educational workshops periodically year-round, as well as trails and recreational opportunities, Hidden Valley seeks to inspire stewardship of natural resources by providing a unique community outdoor center that encourages people to learn from, exercise in, and interact with their environment. A wide variety of public events are also presented.

They have offered over 50 educational programs covering topics that include lichen and tree ID in the winter, Owl Prowls, Earth Day celebrations, Bog Tours, Reading the Forested Landscape, and Wild Edibles. See upcoming events at http://hvnc.org/events-and-workshops and listed separately in this Maine STEM Resource Bank.

There are over 50 interpretive signs on the property, identifying different plant species and explaining significant habitats and other natural and man-made features, and they have a one-mile interpretive loop trail, which identifies many of the trees on the property.

Most events are free of charge, but small donations ($5) are suggested. Some of the bigger events do incur a cost at registration. Visit https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/preserve/hidden-valley-nature-center/ for more information.