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 2016 highlights.
Summer Fun-raising Opportunities
Check out three great fundraising opportunities. These activities help to raise critical funds for FOMCI, so we can continue to offer programs, bring exhibits to the visitor center, support the island interns and much more!
I. Annual Seabird Cruise to Petit Manan Island
Sunday, July 16, 5 p.m. from Bar Harbor
Viewing puffins at Petit Manan.
Join the board of FOMCI and refuge staff on a special trip to see terns, puffins, razorbills, seals and more on a cruise to Petit Manan Island. The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company graciously provides their catamaran for a comfortable ride out to the island.
Delicious hors d’oeuvres with wine and beer are included. Have fun participating in an auction on the way back.
Tickets cost $50 per person, $40 if you are a Friend. Make a day of it and hike some of the refuge trails at Petit Manan Point, then come to the docks in Bar Harbor by 4:30 p.m. to head out to the island. This is a rain or shine event.
II. Juried Art Show: Fins, Feathers & Fur – Maine Coastal Wildlife
Saturday, July 29 at the Visitor Center
Here’s a chance to have your artwork of Maine Coastal Wildlife selected to hang in our gallery at the Maine Coastal Islands
Gadwall by A. Heyniger
NWR Visitor Center during the month of August. For all ages, for most media. Drop off your art between 9 a.m. & 12 noon on July 29. Our juror, Amanda Skinner, Manager of the University of New England Art Gallery, will select items for the show. Any unselected art must be picked up between 3 & 4 p.m. on that same day. Your entry fee supports the work of the Friends. Get the guidelines and registration form, create some art and have fun!
III. Arctic Adventure & Cruise for 2019
The Friends of Maine Coastal Islands NWR, in partnership with Blue Planet Expeditions, is planning to offer a trip, or possibly two, depending on interest, to Norway’s High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, in 2019. This cruise of a lifetime brings you into a stunning Arctic wilderness populated by polar bears, walrus, reindeer, Arctic fox and vast numbers of seabirds, that can only be seen and fully appreciated by ship. You could be one of twelve guests aboard a small, ice-capable expedition ship that willembark and disembark in Longyearbyen and comprise 10-days exploring the high Arctic archipelago. Interested? Contact FOMCI, and we will add you to a list to receive more details. Do you want to travel sooner? Let us know, and we will pass along your name – if you sign up, the Friends’ will receive a donation.
For more information about the Friends’ group and our activities, contact info@mainecoastislands.org or (207) 594-0600, ext. 5.
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 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.
