Dear Friends of Hog Island,
Spring has arrived on the island — and thanks to the extraordinary dedication of more than 30 volunteers, Hog Island is more beautiful and better prepared than ever to welcome this season’s campers.
Last week’s Opening Work Week was nothing short of spectacular. Our incredible FOHI volunteers arrived ready to work and left a lasting mark on this place we all love so deeply. When the week was done, they had installed new windows upstairs in the bridge, built a brand-new boardwalk for the bog, and constructed new benches and railings on the Queen Mary pier. They set up the Queen Mary Lab — including a new Delta specimen cabinet purchased by FOHI — and hung beautiful new curtains in the Porthole and Queen Mary, thanks to the thoughtful handiwork of Nancy Dickinson and Maureen Tucker.
Together with the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA), they cleared five miles of trails around the island, and tended to all the gardens that make Hog Island the magical place it is. And they did all of this while keeping the kitchen running and preparing the rooms and bathrooms spotless for this week’s arriving campers.
That kind of devotion is what Hog Island is built on!
But work week wasn’t all work — and this year’s crew was treated to some truly memorable moments. We were honored to hear from Minquansis (Little Rainbow), who shared a moving and important perspective on the significance of Maine’s waterways to her Wabanaki community — a reminder of the deep history of this land and water we steward. Bethany Kraft from Audubon gave an inspiring update on the organization’s latest bird conservation and science efforts, and reminded us all why this work matters so much. And in a highlight of the week, Sous Chef Carter treated us to a breathtaking performance on her viola — playing her senior thesis, two of Bach’s cello suites — a gift none of us will soon forget.
To cap it all off, on one of the hottest days of the week, the group took to the water for a boat ride that brought cool breezes and incredible birding, including a visit to Eastern Egg Rock for a look at the beloved Atlantic Puffins. Work week is, year after year, a beautiful example of camaraderie, hard work, and deep devotion to this place — and this year was no exception. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to every single volunteer who gave their time and energy.
The Guillemot Annual Report is Here!
We are thrilled to share this year’s Guillemot Annual Report, and we hope you’ll take some time to read it from cover to cover. Inside, you’ll find a heartfelt dedication to Mary La Creta, a fascinating article on solar power on the island by James Li, and a wonderful collection of memories of Jean Tate, a beloved instructor here in the 1960s. It is a beautiful reflection of our community, past and present. Click on the image below to read.
90th Anniversary
Join us in August!
Hog Island Audubon Camp opened in 1936 with a vision: to teach people about nature conservation and inspire them to become leaders in the environmental movement in their own communities. There are multiple ways to celebrate 90 years with us this August:
- 90th Anniversary Weekend Session – August 20-23
- FOHI Appreciation Dinner & Keynote – August 21, 5-9pm
- 90th Anniversary Open House – August 22, 9am-4pm
Get your 90th Gear in Support of FOHI!
We are now accepting pre-orders for exclusive 90th Anniversary merchandise from Wings Custom Apparel in China, ME (formerly Whitt’s). This specially designed logo recognizes that without FOHI, the camp would not have seen its 90th year and represents FOHI’s commitment to the camp for its next 90 years.
With each item purchased, FOHI will profit $10-$15, all which will go back to supporting the camp. There will be two orders placed in late May and July. We prefer that you pick up your merchandise on the island, but will ship to those not able to be here this summer. Logo is embroidered on all items except the Yeti mug.
See Specs and Mock-ups here: https://bit.ly/90thmerch
TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED
W
e honor your sacrifice for our freedom
