Wells Reserve at Laudholm is known for being a habitat for a diverse range of land, air and water species.

Next Saturday, reserve visitors can also catch glimpses of native paddleboarders and kayakers moving gently along the estuary waters.

It’s EcoDay at Wells Reserve. The daylong event includes food, music, equipment demonstrations and activities. EcoDay’s “healthy planet, healthy you” theme aims to promote an active way of life that’s also kind to the environment. The themes go naturally together in a state where the landscape so heavily influences lifestyle.

Scott Richardson, communications director at Wells Reserve and Laudholm Trust, hopes the event will also encourage new visitors to explore the scenic estuaries, dunes and fields.

“There are people around town or around the region who don’t know such a beautiful site is available to them,” he said. “They haven’t been here or they haven’t heard of it.”

The lure of EcoDay could change that.

Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and include a Green Fair, beach cleanup, nature walks, volleyball tournament and geocaching, among many other activities. The event and activities are free, though donations, Richardson said, are happily accepted.

Attendees can browse local vendors, including lightweight shelters and packs from Hyperlite Mountain Gear, handicrafts from Karma Fair Trade, natural skin care from Mountain Mama of Maine, sustainable landscaping from MCD Landscaping, sailcloth tents from Sperry Tent and stress evaluations from Whole Body Chiropractic.

For folks who revel in hands-on experiences, there will be plenty of opportunities to try out some new outdoor sports. The flat waters of the estuary will host kayak demos courtesy of Webhannet River Boat Yard, and three surf shops — Aquaholics, Liquid Dreams and Wheels and Waves — will introduce interested folks to the sport of stand-up paddling.

EcoDay visitors can learn about biking, hiking, camping, fishing and archery, as well as fitness options like yoga and zumba.

The third annual Laudholm 5K starts at 11 a.m. and features a trail and road course that loops through the reserve. Registration is $18 in advance on wwww.active.com and $20 the day of the race.

Environmental and wellness organizations will be on hand, such as the Sierra Club, Three Rivers Land Trust and The Center for Wildlife. UMaine Cooperative Extension will offer information on gardening basics and food preservation and the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge will host origami and painting crafts for kids.

The Landing Store will ease hunger pangs with sandwiches and chowder, and Duffy’s Tavern and Grill will serve locally brewed beers. Adults can also sample honey wine from Maine Mead Works or lemon ice beer from Stefano’s Italian Ice.

Local band Velourosaurus will provide the lively tunes from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., while members of the Nor’easters Kite Flying Club, along with Kites Over New England, catch the wind with their collection of colorful kites.

All commotion aside, visitors can still sneak away for a quiet walk on the reserve’s trail system. One trail Richardson suggests features a series of index cards placed along the boardwalk. Each card has a different activity, such as crouching down low to look at the world as if you were an ant. At the end, trail walkers can write down their thoughts and reflections in a journal.

Between the contemplative walks and the slew of activities, Richardson hopes EcoDay will “bring in people of all walks.”

“There are things on that list that appeal to any outdoors-related person,” he said. “We may attract a new group of people who haven’t seen the place before.”

And while the paddleboard demos might get new visitors there, it’s the ebbing water, the looping trails and the native critters that will keep them coming back.

Staff Writer Shannon Bryan can be contacted at 791-6333 or at:

sbryan@mainetoday.com

 

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