Guest speaker Chris Swarth has studied the secret lives of turtles and birds for over 30 years. He’ll discuss the ecology and conservation of these creatures and will lead excursions to observe animals and birds. Did you know that turtles can live and mate for 80 years and seabirds off Star Island come from as far away as Greenland and Antarctica? Children are now welcome to NHC under supervision of a parent or guardian.

Financial aid scholarships available by application with the registrar with recommended deadline of March 10.

Guest Speaker: Christopher Swarth, wetland ecologist and ornithologist; Director, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, Maryland
Minister: Rev. Chris Holton Jablonski and Rev. Lauren Smith

Registering for this conference

How to register

1. Download the 2012 Registration Form.
2. Fill out both sides of the registration form.
3. Send to the Conference Registrar as directed below, along with one check for the Room and Board Deposit and Conference Programming Fee (both specified above).
4. The Conference Registrar will be in touch with you after your registration is received.

Make the check out to: Natural History Conference
Registrar: Ellen Campbell, email hidden; JavaScript is required, (207) 843-5858, 280 Lower Dedham Road, Holden, ME 04429
Financial Aid: Scholarships available by application with the registrar with recommended deadline of March 10.

The previous theme of our conference, “Mother Nature and the Next Generation” dealt with concerns that our young people are not exposed enough to the natural world. They are cooped up in the safety of our homes with every electronic gadget to entertain and teach them, but they lack contact with the real world around them. We have taken that concept a step further with our new theme; “Farm to Fork…Sink Your Teeth into Finding Health, Community and Sustainability through Food”. We believe that this disconnection from nature is also responsible for the disconnection with understanding our own natural bodies and how to feed them…right down to misconceptions about the very nature of food production. Many of us (especially today’s youth) live in a “plastic” world, eating processed “plastic” foods. Our original theme dealt with a concern that our children are starving for communion with nature…our new theme will address this from a totally new angle. (more…)

Water is a simple substance, but a complex issue. Expert speakers will explore aspects of this fundamental natural resource, crucial to all of life. Join “old shoalers” and new friends in sharing a welcoming community, vital traditions, provocative exchanges of ideas, fun activities, inspirational worship and the joy of Star Island’s natural beauty.

(more…)

As part of global work day on 10/10/10 to bring attention to climate change, Star’s close up crew as part of the P.O.S.S. E. (pelicans on star supporting the environment) planted garden. 350.org’s Global Work Party was a worldwide event supporting environmental initiatives. Pictured here are Dave Goldman, Drew Clark, Peter Duran, Jason Knight, and Jeff Cullinane.

Built on environmentalism and conservation, the Green Gosport Initiative is the latest program in Star Island’s long-running history of sustainability.

From the mundane—tearing up old sheets to make dust cloths—to the sophisticated reverse osmosis drinking water system, Star Island is a leader in conservation of natural resources. This commitment is reflected in every-day practices and major systems design and maintenance. Staff, volunteers, and guests take part in Star Island’s sustainable practices the minute they step onto the island.

With the Green Gosport Initiative, we aim to take Star Island to the next stage of sustainability and renewable energy by accomplishing these four main goals:

• To reduce our overall consumption of fossil fuels and our annual peak electricity load, including resources used for water production, waste treatment and transportation.
• To decrease the export of solid waste from Star Island.
• To spread education and awareness of our sustainable practices to staff, guests, and the surrounding community; and perpetuate environmentally responsible action.
• To establish Star Island as a regional leader in environmental practices, and as a destination for eco-tourism.

See what Star is already doing to accomplish these goals.