Welcome to the Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge!
We are a non-profit, community-based organization founded in 2003 by local individuals dedicated to supporting the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge in its efforts to conserve, protect and enhance the rich diversity of coastal habitats, seabirds and other wildlife. Check out our 2017 highlights.
Click on the Upcoming Events to see what is happening at Maine Coastal Islands NWR Visitor Center in Rockland.
Tickets available for Annual Seabird Cruise to Petit Manan Island
Come join the Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge for our 12th Annual Seabird Cruise to Petit Manan Island on July 15, 4:00-6:00 pm. This event is hosted by Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company, and the boat departs from their dock in Bar Harbor. Admission Price is $50 for the general public or $40 for members of FOMCI. Please reserve your ticket ahead of time since we limit the number to keep the cruise more personal. The cruise goes out rain or shine! Join us for a fun evening of seabird viewing, including puffins, terns and razorbills, with the fine company of our Wildlife Refuge Biologists! Complimentary beer, wine and light refreshments will be available. There will be a small auction on the return trip featuring an original painting by Maine Artist Eric Hopkins, and other great items including entertainment and accommodations in Bar Harbor! Reserve your ticket by sending a check payable to FOMCI, PO Box 1231, Rockland, ME 04841, OR online here OR purchase in person at the Maine Coastal Islands NWR Visitor Center, 9 Water Street, Rockland.
Juried Art Show for all Ages!
Adult winners in last year’s juried art show.
Plan to participate in the Fins, Feathers, & Fur: Maine Coastal Wildlife Juried Art Show this July! Our juror is Thomas O’Donovan from Harbor Square Gallery in Rockland. Bring your art, reflecting Maine Coastal Wildlife from a sea cucumber to a harbor seal – what wildlife do you find fascinating. Drop your art items off on Saturday, July 28 between 9 a.m. – 12 noon or find a friend to do it for you. You can make an appointment if necessary, but do get your art to the Maine Coastal Islands NWR Visitor Center. The juror will select items for the show that afternoon. Items selected will be shown during the month of August. You can sell your art or display it. For more information on entry fees and forms, click here:
Guidelines & Entry Form. Support the Friends of Maine Coastal Islands NWR and exhibit your art in our beautiful art gallery during the month of August. Thank you to Rockport Blueprint and Huston Tuttle for their donations of gift cards that will be included in our prize packages.
The Original Flock Party – plan to come!
Come to the Original Flock Party on Saturday, July 28, 7:30-11:30 p.m. at Fog Bar in Rockland. Costumes, DJ, Dance, Raffle! Join this Fabulous Feathered Fling, shake your tail feathers and support bird and wildlife conservation in Maine. Have you ever envied the vermilion crest on a Cardinal or dreamt of donning a Peacock’s tail? This is your chance! Come dressed as your favorite Pheasant and dance to the beats of Owen Cartwright (AKA DJ MILKWEED). There will be a raffle with fabulous prizes. Admission is $10 and all proceeds go to support Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge (FOMCI) and Avian Haven. Cash bar and food. Can’t stand the heat? Migrate out back to cool off with some delectable treats from Lulu’s Ice Cream stand. This event is sponsored by Avian Haven, FOMCI, and Fog Bar, with additional support from First National Bank.
Friends receive award!
Charlie Walsh, Board Chair; Carla Skinder, Board member; and Carney McRae Doucette, Outreach Coordinate receiving award at the Wildlife Society meeting.
The Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge recently received the 2017 Award of Recognition from the Maine Chapter of the Wildlife Society at their annual meeting in Holden. The group was recognized for their outstanding support of the refuge through advocacy, fundraising, outreach and education, volunteer coordination, and land acquisition support. Brian Benedict, Refuge Manager commented, “Our Friends group fulfills so many critical functions that the refuge could never do alone. I am very proud to see them receive this well-deserved award.”
Learn more about Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge and see why the Friends work so hard to support these wild islands.
Programs
We sponsor programs at the Visitor Center of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge at 9 Water Street in Rockland, Maine.
If you would like to receive e-alerts of upcoming programs for families and/or adults, please contact us: info@mainecoastislands.org
Art Gallery
We also manage a beautiful art gallery at the Visitor Center. Join us for First Friday Art Walks in Rockland usually from 5-8 p.m. to view art that inspires and supports our conservation message.
Summer Island Interns
FOMCI supports the Refuge by contributing funds for seabird research and supporting student interns working on the seabird nesting islands during the summer. These interns are critical to the nesting success of our seabirds, protecting them from disturbance by humans and predators.
With the help of laptops that FOMCI purchased the summer island interns blog about their daily experiences. The blog can be found here.
