The Damariscotta River Association (DRA) has released its winter schedule of programs. Scholarships are available for all programs. Programs meet at the DRA Great Salt Bay Farm Heritage Center (110 Belvedere Road), Damariscotta unless otherwise indicated. Call DRA at 207-563-1393 to register.

Special Presentation: Ocean Acidification and Midcoast Maine Estuaries Thursday, Jan. 14, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Round Top Farm, 3 Round Top Lane, Damariscotta. Are Maine’s coastal estuaries affected by ocean acidification? University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center scientists Larry Mayer and Kathleen Thornton will summarize results from Maine Coastal Observing Alliance (MCOA) surveys of the region’s estuaries. Hosted by MCOA, a collaboration of regional water monitoring groups including the DRA. Snow date is Friday, Jan. 15. Call DRA to pre-register. Free of charge.

Animal Tracks and Signs Hike: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to noon at NORGAL Preserve. Join DRA Education Director Sarah Gladu to look for signs of coyote, snowshoe hare, a variety of rodents and turkeys. Learn about the winter habits of these mammals through first-hand observation. No dogs please. Call DRA to pre-register by Jan. 19. Fee: members free/non-members $5.

Full Moon Owl Walk: Sunday, Jan. 24, 5 to 7 p.m. at Dodge Point Reserve. Walk the trail by moonlight to look and listen for owls. This program will be led by Midcoast Audubon Board Member Dennis McKenna and DRA Education Director Sarah Gladu. Non-skid treads recommended. Call DRA to pre-register by Jan. 22. Fee: members free/non-members $5.00.

Presentation: Solo Through-Paddle of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Friday, February 5, 5 to 6 p.m. Laurie Chandler, possibly the first female canoeist to solo paddle all 740 miles of this remote waterway, will tell the stories of her travels. Join us to hear about this incredible wilderness trip that included 67 portages across 127 miles. Call DRA to pre-register by Feb. 4. Fee: members free/non-members $5.00.

Special Event: Winter Fest, Sunday, Feb. 14, noon to 3 p.m. Round Top Farm, 3 Round Top Lane, Damariscotta. Sledding, skating, animal tracks craft, free hot chocolate, sled dog demonstration, hot dogs for $1.00 donation, warming hut open and campfire with marshmallow roasting. Rain or no-snow date: Feb. 21. Free of charge.

Will Bonsall Speaks: Eco-Efficient Gardening, Saturday, Feb. 20, 3 to 5 p.m., Round Top Farm, 3 Round Top Lane, Damariscotta. Will Bonsall, farmer, author, founder and director of the Scatterseed Project, co-founder of the Grassroots Seed Networkand a keynote speaker at the 2015 Common Ground Country Fair will share his knowledge and vision for sustainable gardening. The focus of his talk will be maintaining soil fertility through the use of compost, green manures, perennial grasses, and forest products. Bonsall’s books "Through the Eyes of a Stranger" (Xlibris, 2010), a futuristic eco-novel and "Will Bonsall's Essential Guide to Radical, Self-Reliant Gardening" (Chelsea Green, 2015) which covers his in-depth knowledge of growing food in novel ways, will be for sale at the event. Snow date: Friday, Feb. 26. Call DRA to pre-register. Free of charge.

Seals and Marine Mammals of Maine: Wednesday, March 2, 4 to 6 p.m. Learn all about seals and other marine mammals from the people that work with them – Maine Marine Mammals of Maine, the marine mammal rescue organization for this region. Call DRA to pre-register by March 1. Snow date: Friday, March 4. Fee: members free/non-members $5.

Children’s Programs

Wild Encounters. A regular program for homeschool families and groups. These classes are held 10 a.m. to noon the second Monday of each month. Hike and nature journaling always included. Prepay for five classes and get a sixth class free. For ages 5 and up (younger may come). Fee: $5/child. Call DRA to register.

January 11: How Animals Survive Winter: Study the subnivean layer and compare adaptations.

February 8: Outdoor Living Skills: Dogsledding and snow-shelter building.

E.A.r.t.H. (Ecology for Advanced Homeschoolers). For homeschool youth ages nine and up with a serious interest in natural history. Regular homework is assigned. Classes held the last Tuesday of each month (except December and June) from 10 a.m. to noon. Application available for limited spaces at damariscottariver.org. Fee: non-members $65/student for three month session; members at “Mussel “ level $40/student for three month session. Prepayment due before new session begins: 12/31 and 3/31.

Session II

January 26: Nature in Winter Hike: Hike the NORGAL preserve and focus on animal tracks.

February 23: Scientific Method: Develop a hypothesis and conduct an experiment.

March 29: Phenology: Study how timing impacts nature with a focus on tree budding.

Session III

April 26: Birds: Dissect a bird and go birdwatching to observe behaviors in the wild.

May 31: Horseshoe Crabs and Salt Marshes: Explore a salt marsh and learn about horseshoe crabs.

June 7: Island Ecology: Visit an island and discover some special aspects of life on an island.

Frogs and Pollywogs. For preschoolers (ages 2-5) and their parents/guardians. Hike always included. These classes are held 10 to 11 a.m. the third Friday of each month (except October and February). Prepay for five classes and get a sixth class free. Fee: $3/child. Call DRA to register.

January 15: Give a Hoot for Owls: Dissect an owl pellet and learn all about owls in Maine.

February 12: Winter Wonderland: Dogsledding and snow-shelter building.

Jr. Naturalist After-School Program. (Grades 1-5) Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15 to 5 p.m. Inquiry-based, hands-on learning in a safe outdoor environment. The DRA Great Salt Bay Farm is on a bus route from local elementary schools and close to Route 1. Month-long sessions. Call DRA to register. Fee: $55 non-members /$50 members at “Mussel” level (scholarships available)

February: Winter Wonderland: Dogsledding, snow-shelter building, nature discovery.

February Vacation “Wildlife in Winter” Day Camp. (ages 5-11) Feb. 15 to 18 (four days), 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. each day. Hike for animal tracks and signs with a naturalist, go dogsledding, create art projects, play nature-inspired games and more. Participants bring snack and lunch each day. Pre-registration required by Feb. 9. Fee: $176/$156 members at “Mussel/Family” level or above.

For more information call 207-563-1393, email dra@damariscottariver.org, or view their website at www.damariscottariver.org.