Friends of Maine's Seabird Islands...
Welcome to the Friends of Maine's Seabirds Islands! We are a non-profit, community-based organization founded in 2003 by local individuals dedicated to encouraging the conservation and appreciation of seabirds, their nesting and coastal habitats, and to support the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
Refuge Visitor Center & New Headquarters for FOMSI Open
The Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and new headquarters for FOMSI is open! Although we are still developing the exhibits, you can stop by to see the fabulous renovations that the Penobscot Company did to the building, stop into the store to find a special gift or visit the art gallery. The gallery is currently showing magnificent photos from the Refuge, 16 original watercolors of Maine’s popular seabirds, and historical photos of the Rockland area. Eventually the center will highlight the important seabird protection and management that the Refuge and its partners are working on. It will also give the many visitors who may never be fortunate enough to visit a seabird colony a simulation of this incredible experience. We are currently working on programming so if there is something that you would like to hear about please contact our programs director directly at: Stephanie@maineseabirds.org
Also, coming on Father’s Day weekend, June 16th and 17th is the Rozalia Project (http://www.rozaliaproject.org/). Together we will be presenting information and hands on tools for exploring marine debris in Rockland Harbor. The first presentation will being at the new headquarters on Saturday June 16th at 10 am. All following presentations will be on the docks aboard the 60’ American Promise at the public landing, just across the street from our new headquarters. For more information please call, stop by or email Stephanie.
Annual Seabird Cruise - July 15
Don't forget to get your tickets early this year for our annual Seabird Cruise on July 15th from Port Clyde. Tickets are limited and often sell out for this fantastic cruise out to view the seabirds we all work to protect!
Grant Application Deadline for 2013
If you missed the grant application deadline for the 2012 season, please mark your calendar for 2013! FOMSI annually makes available a limited amount of funding to individuals, agencies, and non-profit organizations for:
~ student and island researcher support
~ education/outreach projects
~ support of refuge priorities
~ seabird research projects
Summer Island Interns
FOMSI supports both the Refuge and its close partner, the National Audubon Society’s Puffin Project, 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. In 2011 we purchased mattresses and laptop computers to help further their scientific endeavors and to aid in a good night’s sleep.
With the help of their laptops the summer island interns blogged about their daily experience. The 2011 blog is available to read and although they are not out on the islands now, visit their blog to see what they were up to in 2011, and stay tuned for the 2012 season. http://mainecoastalislands.wordpress.com/
