To Our Readers

This week, we at The Weekly Sentinel bring you a very special edition.

In recognition of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, we have compiled an 8-page editorial feature commemorating this anniversary. Staff reporters have covered stories that are both close to home, as well as national in scale, paying tribute to America’s loss ten years ago and its rebirth in the wake of those tragedies.
The memorial section also includes photos, information regarding educational resources, and a special events section to keep you informed of local, regional, national and televised programs that are taking place during this solemn anniversary.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this special issue. We are proud to bring it to your community, and we appreciate your taking the time to remember with us.
Sincerely,
The Staff at The Weekly Sentinel
Note: This section can be downloaded as a PDF on our web site. Additionally, photos taken by Molly McCoy during her trip to the 9-11 Memorial in NYC, can be viewed at this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/116758352106429291735/MollySTripToNYC?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Photo caption: The National September 11 Memorial in New York City is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the Center bombing in February 1993. The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools, which sit in the footprints of the Twin Towers, are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest man-made waterfalls in the North America. (Artist’s rendering courtesy of www.911memorial.org)

Center for Wildlife to Host Annual Open House

CAPE NEDDICK—
Every year Center for Wildlife quietly treats 1,700 animals, presents 200 educational programs, partners with diagnostics labs and land trusts, fields over 10,000 wildlife phone calls, and hosts 20 college interns and 70 volunteers at the base of Mount Agamenticus. Our mission is to promote respect for wildlife and the environment through our medical, research, and educational programs. We are very excited to celebrate and share our work in the community with our annual “Wild About Our Community” open house event on Sunday, September 11 from 11 to 3 p.m. These open houses have been very popular in the past with hundreds of people in attendance, and we are hoping for another great turnout and event this year.
Take a scenic trolley ride up Mountain Road to Center for Wildlife and enjoy the beautiful habitat and sounds of summer along the way. Staff, volunteers, and live animal ambassadors will welcome participants with a map of the property and a schedule of events for the day. Learn and explore New England wildlife and habitats, how to support our work, and our hopes and dreams for the future; including a Welcome Center and Admissions Building, growth in wildlife diagnostics and research, and public education, workshops, and trainings. There is a $5 admission for adults, and kids are FREE! All proceeds from the event will go directly to our work medically treating and spreading awareness about local wildlife. The schedule of events for the day includes:
11:30-12:00 p.m. - “Migration Sensation”- focusing on migrating raptors and identifying those flying right over CFW this time of year!
12:30-1:00 p.m. - “Going Batty”- introduction to our native bats, and the wonderful work that is being done locally to help save them from White Nosed Syndrome.
2:00-2:30 p.m. - “Edna’s Edible Plant Walk”- Take a walk with Edna our albino porcupine ambassador and learn about what she forages on during different times of the year and why. We’ll also spotlight some local plants and benefits to people
In between programs visitors can enjoy ongoing baby bird room tours and feeding demonstrations, nature-based activities, songbird releases, ice cream from Lone Oak, pizza, and raffles (including gift certificates to Flatbread Pizza, When Pigs Fly Bakery, and The Wellington Room). There is a $5 admission, and kids are free! If you have any questions feel free to email info@yorkcenterforwildlife.org.
The Center for Wildlife receives no state or federal funding and treats injured or orphaned wild animals within approximately 100-mile radius of Cape Neddick, ME. Consider supporting CFW’s work along with local wildlife and habitats by making a monetary donation, hosting an intern, applying for a volunteer position, donating blueberries or other items from our wish-list, or in other creative ways! To find out more please visit our website at www.yorkcenterforwildlife.org.
Photo caption: Wood thrush being released back into the wild. (Courtesy photo)

Protection of Merriland River Parcel Gets Boost from Federal Grant

WELLS—
The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve has received a $287,000 federal grant to assist with the permanent protection of a 130-acre parcel with high conservation value along the Merriland River in Wells. The Wells Reserve and the Wells Conservation Commission collaborated in requesting the grant, which was awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program.
“Protecting land along the rivers that flow into our estuaries is a conservation priority,” says Paul Dest, director of the Wells Reserve. “This grant will greatly assist the Town of Wells in acquiring an ecologically significant parcel that will protect water quality and provide public access for low-impact recreation.”
The Merriland River purchase will protect, through fee simple acquisition by the Town of Wells, 130 acres of uplands and forested wetlands including 5,250 feet of river frontage. The parcel will connect with 410 acres of adjacent Town-owned land to create a 540-acre conserved area.
In June 2010, Wells citizens approved a ballot measure to release funds from the Land Bank Account that will be used as the local match required to receive the federal grant.
“The voters of Wells once again acted responsibly in planning for the Town’s future,” says Owen Grumbling, chair of the Wells Conservation Commission. “Conserving the clean water in this beautiful river system is a fine investment.”
While the federal grant and matching funds have been secured, a survey, an appraisal, deed research, and other due diligence tasks must be completed before the sale is complete. Closing is anticipated by the end of the year.
The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program is a national competitive program meant to protect important coastal and estuarine areas with significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or that are threatened by conversion from their natural or recreational state to other uses. States, municipalities, and national estuarine research reserves compete annually for the funds.
The Merriland River proposal, submitted by the Wells Reserve and the Wells Conservation Commission in 2010, was ranked 4th of the 42 proposals submitted from across the country. “The high ranking by a national review committee underscores the tremendous conservation value this property possesses,” says Dest.
This is the second such grant received by the Wells Reserve. The first helped protect over 400 acres of land in Kittery, York, and South Berwick in 2005.
The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is a 2,250-acre National Estuarine Research Reserve with its headquarters listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Wells Reserve’s goal is to protect and restore coastal ecosystems around the Gulf of Maine. Staff and volunteers expand knowledge about coasts and estuaries, engage people in environmental learning, and involve communities in conserving natural resources.
The work of the Wells Reserve and the care of its historic site are made possible by Laudholm Trust. Organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1982, member-supported Laudholm Trust provides vital monetary and in-kind support to the Wells Reserve. This local support enables the Wells Reserve to receive additional funds from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is located on Laudholm Farm Road, just off U.S. Route 1 near the Wells-Kennebunk line.