Viles Arboretum has been thriving, with busy trails, numerous events, and a bright outlook for the future. As we look ahead to 2024, there are a couple of areas that need attention so this years appeal is focused on two key areas: enhancing trail accessibility and building climate change awareness in our community. These initiatives will ensure that more visitors, regardless of mobility concerns, can fully enjoy the Arboretum, while also deepening our role in educating the community about the critical challenges posed by climate change. This year’s appeal is dedicated to these efforts, helping us create a more inclusive and informed space for everyone who visits. Both projects require significant resources, and we can't do it alone. Together, we can create a place where everyone can learn, grow, and connect with nature.
Nature Without Limits: Enhancing Access at Viles Arboretum
We envision the Arboretum to be a place where individuals of all abilities have the opportunity to recreate, explore, and learn about nature. Our most critical concern is the need to maintain, improve and upgrade our trail conditions. We're working with Josh Platt of Maine Environmental Solutions to assess current trail conditions, create a plan, and execute trail upgrades like:
- Install improved and clearer trail signage to help visitors make informed decisions about whether a trail is accessible for them.
- Adding benches and providing places for visitors to sit and rest.
- Adjusting the slope of trails to ensure they have a consistent and gentle incline or decline, reducing steep or uneven areas.
- Creating trail surfaces that are firm and stable, and free of obstacles like roots and large rocks.
In addition to our infrastructure work, we are also developing an interactive online map of the Arboretum’s extensive collection of trees, shrubs, and plants. This will not only enrich the experience for all visitors but also allow those who cannot visit in person to explore and learn about our collections from anywhere.
Future goals include the development of trail-based programs for visitors living with dementia, visual and hearing impairments, and a range of skills and capacities.
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Building Climate Awareness: Educational Programs in Central Maine
This initiative, inspired by the Maine Department of Education’s MOOSE program, will empower local educators to develop lesson plans, study units, and activities that address the specific impacts of climate change in central Maine.
The effects of climate change in our region are undeniable — from the flooding of rivers to the shifting ranges of bird species. Yet, these changes often go unnoticed or unaddressed in educational settings. Our program will provide educators with the tools they need to teach students about the climate challenges affecting their own communities, fostering a deeper understanding and connection to the environment.
During 2025, we’ll be working with a (paid) cohort of local primary and secondary educators, along with advisors from local, state, and federal agencies to create free and adaptable programs, activities, lesson plans, and inspirational ideas that teachers can use in their classrooms. We need your help to get this important work started!
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