Educational Events – 2014
January 7 from 11:00 to 12:00
Guardian Animals in Sustainable Farming ~ Maine Agricultural Trade Show, Location: Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine
This first of its kind at the Trade Show will introduce our farmers to the amazing work of Guard animals as invaluable team members in the protection of domestic livestock. Guard dogs, Llamas and Donkeys are of great assistance as we move toward cooperating with carnivores on our farms, creating a healthy biodiverse landscape. Come and learn from our farmers who are successfully coexisting with the wild. They will share all their experiences and success.
photo by Jerry Mercier
March 11 at 6:30 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by the Belfast Garden Club; Location: Belfast Free Library, 106 High Street, Belfast, Maine
April 1 to May 3
Maine Artists Expressions of Coyote Art Exhibit hosted by The Rising Tide Natural Food Store; Location Route 1, Damariscotta, Maine. We invite you to come visit this special, intimate experience of Coyote’s life here in Maine ~ all expressions of our Maine artists, who wish to share how Coyote has touched their lives.
April 4 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Opening of the Rising Tide’s Coyote Art Exhibit; Location: Rising Tide Natural Food Store, Route 1, Damariscotta, Maine. Come join us in celebrating the opening of this very special art exhibit, along with wine and cheese, AND original Coyote music written and performed by Elizabeth Starr and her fellow musicians. Come celebrate Coyote’s presence here in Maine.
April 5 at 4:30 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by the Carrabassett Valley Library; Location: 3209 Carrabassett Drive #3, Carrabassett Valley, Maine
April 8 at 7;00 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library; Location: 227 Main Street, Lovell, Maine
April 16 at 6:30 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by Raymond Village Library; Location: 3 Meadow Road, Raymond, Maine
April 17 from 12:00 to 2:00
“We are Coyote Families” hosted by Witherle Memerial Library in collaboration with Castine Public School; Location: 41 School Street, Castine Maine. This is a fun, experiential learning experience for children in which they become coyote families….coyotes mates and their pups. This learning experience takes place outside in nature, where the children learn the ecology of coyote’s social lives and their survival skills in a fun and very personal way.
April 17 at 5:00 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Sondog” hosted by Witherle Memorial Library: Location: 41 School Street, Castine, Maine
photo by Debbie DiCarlo
April 29 at 7:00 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by Fields Pond Audubon Center; Location: 216 Fields Pond Road, Holden, Maine
May 4 at 2:00 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library: Location: 37 Main Street, China Village, Maine
May 6 at 7:00 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by Harpswell Heritage Land Trust; Location: 153 Harpswell Neck Road, Harpswell, Maine
May 7 at 6:30 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by Skyline Farm; Location: 95 The Lane, North Yarmouth, Maine
May 10 at 11:00 AM
“Coyote and the Boy, Ben” Puppet Show hosted by the Coastal Children’s Museum;
Location: 75 Mechanic Street, Rockland, Maine
May 13 at 6:30 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by Louis B. Goodall Library; Location: 952 Main Street, Sanford, Maine
May 28 at 7:00 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by the Phippsburg Sportmen’s Association, Location: 272 Main Street (Rt 209), Phippsburg, Maine
June 7 from 11:00 AM to 12:00
Guardian Animals in Sustainable Farming hosted by the Fiber Frolic, Location: Windsor Fairgrounds, 82 Ridge Road, Windsor, Maine
Come join two of Maine’s experienced farmers and conservation biologist, Geri Vistein as we share the invaluable assistance guardian animals provide for our farmers, as they seek to farm in cooperation with wild nature.
July 15 6:00 PM 
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by Thompson Free Library; Location: 186 East Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
July 16 at 1:00 PM
“Coyote and the Boy, Ben” Puppet Show hosted by Thompson Free Library; Location: 186 East Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
July 23 at 7:00 PM
“So Why do we need Carnivores Anyway?” hosted by Thomaston Public Library; Location: 60 Main Street, Thomaston, Maine. What does it matter whether Coyotes live in Maine’s landscapes or not? And what if Mountain Lions and Wolves return to Maine? What does it matter to YOU? And what does it matter how we humans treat them?
Come and find out as I share real life stories of carnivores ~ what happened to them, what happened to their prey, then what happened to the land we call America…..and then what happens to us?
July 26 at 2:00 PM
“Celebrating Coyote’s Wild Song” hosted by the Thoreau Festival in Greenville, Maine
Come join us as we celebrate Thoreau’s voice for Wildness here in Maine. Share the music written and performed by our Maine musicians, as they show their respect for Maine’s Keystone carnivore, Coyote. There will be poems and storytelling and readings to share. So bring your own too!
September 16 at 6:30 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by Pittsfield Public Library, Location: 110 Library Street, Pittsfield, Maine
September 19 at 1:00 PM
“Preventing Predation: Getting Started” hosted by the Common Ground Fair, Unity, Maine; Location at the Fair: Livestock Speakers tent. This presentation will be given by special guest, Tamara Taylor who I have invited to share her expertise and experience. She and her husband run a farm in Texas, but at the same time she has traveled to Turkey to learn more about the Karakachan and Kangal guard dogs that have been used there for centuries. She is working with the USDA and Utah State University by transporting these dogs from Turkey and preparing them for their work in the US. This presentation will explore the various methods of livestock protection, and will then focus on guard dogs and the various breeds, how they are used, and deciding if they fit your needs.
photo by Mary McGuire
September 20 at 10:00 AM
“Livestock Protection Dogs: Now What” hosted by the Common Ground Fair, Unity, Maine; Location at the Fair: Livestock Speakers tent This is the follow up presentation to Tamara Taylor’s presentation on September 19. She will discuss the instincts and behavior of guard dogs, “management” potential problems and solutions. Both presentations are not to be missed!
September 20 at 11:15 AND 3:15 PM
“Coyote and the Boy, Ben” Puppet Show. Our magical and very real puppet show will take place at none other than the Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine. We get to perform TWICE that day so no one will miss it. Look for us in the Children’s tent at the Fair.
September 20 at 1:00 PM
“Guardian Animals in Sustainable Farming” Taking place in the Livestock Speakers Tent at the Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine. Come join us as we share with our farmers and community members a renewed view of our farms…that they are complex ecosystems …and we want all the members to be present, including the carnivores. Come learn how Guardian Animals are an integral part of coexisting with carnivores on your farm. I will be joined by successful farmers who are already practicing this coexistence…and they will share their experiences with you.
September 27 at 7:00 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by Spaulding Memorial Library, Location: 282 Sebago Road, Sebago, Maine
Morning in St. George by Kathleen Fox
October 9, 2014 to January 11, 2015
“Coyote Connections” Art Exhibit Reception on October 9 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Location: University of New England’s Art Gallery, 64 College Street, Portland, Maine
Come and experience this first of its kind educational and inspiring art exhibit. Come experience the creative works of over 30 Maine artists from all over the state of Maine. The artists’ expressions will share with you the many varied, complex, intimate, powerful, awe inspiring relationships that our Coyotes here in Maine have with the land, with each other, with their prey, with our farmers and with all of you!
October 14 at 7:00 PM
“The Music of the Wild and Free ~ Coyote” This special program is part of the “Coyote Connections” Art Exhibit. It will take place at the University of New England’s Gallery, Location: 64 College Street, Portland, Maine.
Come join us for a medley of original songs inspired by the lives of our Maine Coyotes, and created by Maine songwriter, composer and musician, Elizabeth Starr. Tucked in between this masterful music played by the Montsweag Musicians, will be readings of poetry, stories and thoughtful prose. So bring your own too!
October 17 at 12:00 Noon
Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by the Women’s Literary Union; Location: Woodfords Congregational Church, 202 Woodford Street, Portland, Maine
October 23 at 5:00 PM
“Encounters with Coyote: One Woman’s Journey” This special program, presented by Cynthia Simon, Professor at the University of New England, is part of the “Coyote Connections” Art Exhibit. It will take place at the University of New England’s Gallery, Location: 64 College Street, Portland, Maine. Cynthia invites you to take a journey with her as she shares her personal encounters with Coyote beginning as a Master’s student to her now daily walks in search of Coyote. Come….be prepared to dispel myths and hear amazing stories.
October 25 at 1:30 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” hosted by the Greater Appalachian Llama and Alpaca Association Annual Conference, Location: Mariott Portland at Sable Oaks, 200 Sable Oaks Drive, South Portland, Maine. This presentation will share the history, ecology and value of Coyote as a major carnivore, in order to assist those who breed Llamas as Guard animals, as well as those who care for Alpacas, who require guard animals for their protection.
October 26 at 1:00 PM
“Coyote and the Boy, Ben” Puppet Show This special program is part of the “Coyote Connections” Art Exhibit. It will take place at the Univeristy of New England’s Art Gallery, Location: 64 College Street, Portland, Maine.
November 5 at 5:00 PM
“Coyote ~ America’s Songdog” This special program is part of the “Coyote Connections” Art Exhibit. It will take place at the University of New England’s Art Gallery, Location: 64 College Street, Portland, Maine.
December 4 at 6:00 PM
Poet Coyote This special program is part of the “Coyote Connections” Art Exhibit. it will take place at the University of New England’s Art Gallery; Location: 64 College Street, Portland, Maine. Come and experience the thoughtful poetry created by Maine poets in response to the art creations at this unique and poignant exhibit. A unique and very special juxtaposition of the arts. Holiday treats will be served as we celebrate in true giving and sharing style.
December 16 at 5:00 PM
Panel of Artists Reflect on their Creative Works of Art. This special program is part of the “Coyote Connections” Art Exhibit. And it will take place at the University of New England’s Gallery; Location: 64 College Street, Portland, Maine. Come join seven of our participating artists who will share their reflections on their works of art for this exhibit, and join in with each other in lively discussion. Not to be missed!