In a newly-imagined land-use partnership, kids enrolled in Hearty Roots summer camps will be able to enjoy a one-acre parcel of Osborn Finch Wildlife Sanctuary in Waldoboro for six weeks this summer. “It’s a chance for our land to be put to a new, meaningful purpose for the benefit of local kids, through a program distinct from our own education programs,” says Steven Hufnagel, Director of Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, the organization that owns and manages the land. Coastal Rivers is providing the property to Hearty Roots at no cost, thanks to the support of Coastal Rivers members and supporters.

With this sharing of resources, Hearty Roots will have a temporary, summer-long home base for their Muscongus Bay coastal expeditions, where kids will adventure to, and camp on, Maine Island Trail Association islands. Hearty Roots campers have typically had to rely on public access points for past coastal adventures in the area, but use of the sanctuary allows the organization to establish a base camp and drop-off spot. Moreover, it allows for expanded conversations around land use and best practices for nature expeditions. “Getting kids to explore their inner grit by adventuring into nature is always our number one goal,” says Haley Bezon, director of Hearty Roots, “and stewardship of land is woven into all of our activities. Helping our youth develop and sustain a sense of place within their hearts and community is paramount.”

Hearty Roots is actively seeking donations for a permanent, primitive base camp in the midcoast area, a rooted home-base that can ground kids in their activities. Having a permanent place will allow the members of the Hearty Roots organization to focus their energy on impacting more children through outreach and quality programming that encourages kids to “get off the grid and into their hearts.”

During the summer-long partnership, the remaining area of the preserve will be open to the public for hiking the trails to the waterfront. “We want to continue to invite the broader community to enjoy this gorgeous land,” Hufnagel says. “Hearty Roots is an ideal partner because of their shared commitment to caring for the land, and passing on an ethic of joyful stewardship to the next generation.” For more information on Hearty Roots’ programming, summer offerings or sponsoring a child’s hearty adventure through scholarship visit heartyroots.org. For more information on education, outreach and the powerful impact of local conservation visit coastalrivers.org.