Fun for the Whole Family September 27-28-29
Get closer to nature by joining us for family friendly events in Scarborough, and all around the great State of Maine, too. Learn more about Maine's ecosystems and wildlife during the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend.

The Great Maine Outdoor Weekend (GMOW) is a collaboration among several of Maine's leading environmental organizations to promote outdoor recreation and encourage more Mainers to take advantage of our State's extraordinary recreation opportunities and public lands.  The 4th GMOW was held September 28-30th.  Statewide, 70 organizations hosted almost 100 events attended by over 7,100 people. In support of the event, FOSM organized a nature walk and wildlife viewing tour on the newly acquired Gervais conservation property.  Maine Audubon's Scarborough Marsh Nature Center Director Linda Woodard led the program.  In 2012 FOSM worked with the Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and other organizations to refurbish a former cellular tower that sits on the property.  There is now an observation deck open to the public.

The Friends of the Scarborough Marsh recently extended an invitation to the Town to work collaboratively on improving and protecting water quality in the Scarborough Marsh. (see letter)

A report released in July 2013 by the National Resources Defense Council showing that in 2012 Scarborough’s Ferry Beach tied for 5th place (out of 60) in Maine’s most contaminated beaches. Also at about that time, FOSM partnered with the University of New England to collect and analyze data gathered at the Mill Brook area of the marsh. The study  found water quality to be good overall, with one major exception: coliform bacteria rated as poor at all four sampling sites during almost every month of the study period. High coliform bacteria levels are the primary reason for closing clam flats.  In light of our results and the recent water quality study, we need to act in a collaborative fashion to restore and protect water quality in the Scarborough Marsh. FOSM is dedicated to participating in and where appropriate facilitating this collaboration.