Old Orchard Beach/Saco Adult and Community Education

When is a berry edible? What is so special about ferns and how do you tell them apart? What is a partridge berry and are they found on a pear tree? The Saco Heath is a very special ecosystem and, in late summer, full of blueberries, huckleberries, aronia berries, pitcher plants, and more! Come and see rare and familiar plants and learn about what is edible, medicinal, poisonous, touchable, smellable, and best to be admired from afar! Learn to look closely at the world beginning to bloom in this very unique place! This trail, located on beautiful Wabanaki land, is moderately flat and may be muddy in spots, depending on whether we had rain recently. Half of the trail is a wooden board walk with several stopping points with benches. Rain date 8/8.

Meet in the Saco Heath parking area. Walk starts promptly at 4:30 PM.

Note: Please communicate any accessibility concerns at registration and we will ask Laura to contact you to discuss any needed accommodations.

Required: Proof of registration. Bring binoculars, if desired. Wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and an optional brimmed hat or cap (which helps with both sun and bugs).

Laura Grover is a plant and bird hobbyist, botanical illustrator for Fedco Seeds, and a mindfulness ambassador. She has led many plant identification and mindful foraging walks for people of all ages. She enjoys bringing people together to look closely in nature, practice mindfulness outside, and be a sensory animal in the woods.