First Day Hikes in New England 2021

A mix of virtual and group First Day Hikes will be held in New England to celebrate New Year's Day 2021. This article includes a selection of First Day hikes, walks, virtual tours, hiking areas, and other resources in New England.

First Day hikes are popular with individuals and families as a way to welcome the new year while enjoying the outdoors and connecting with nature.

In 2020,  nearly 85,000 people celebrated the New Year outdoors, collectively hiking over 176,366 miles throughout the country on the guided hikes. Other participants hiked state park trails throughout the day.

In normal circumstances, America’s State Parks host a full range of First Day Hike events. According to America’s State Parks (www.stateparks.org), states will be adapting their 2021 First Day hikes to keep people safe and healthy during the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.

Changes will include hikes with smaller groups, virtual hikes, self-guided hikes and trail challenges. States will be adding events and trails throughout the month of December. Hike distances and difficulty levels may vary from park to park.

 

New England First Day Hike Events:

Maine

Virtual Adventures - Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

New Hampshire

Virtual First Day Hike Event - New Hampshire State Parks

Connecticut

Virtual and Self-Guided Hikes in Connecticut - Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)

Hiking Areas in New England

While many First Day hikes are affected by the pandemic, the region has plenty of public lands and other areas where individuals and families can enjoy hiking, walking, and other outdoor recreation. The following are a few locations where hiking and exploring are possible.

The Green Mountain National Forest in western Vermont is one of New England's most popular hiking destinations. A public, federally managed national forest, Green Mountain is home to miles of trails and other areas for outdoor recreation. For information about health and safety precautions for Vermont, visit https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/coronavirus-covid-19

In Northwest Massachusetts, the Mohawk Trail Woodlands encompasses 361,941 acres of northern forests, wetlands, unique geology, and a biologically diverse ecosystem.

Along the coast of Massachusetts, Cape Cod National Seashore includes miles of sandy beaches, lighthouses, marshes, ponds, cranberry bogs, and upland landscapes. Twelve walking trails at the Cape Cod seashore are open year round. Cape Cod National Seashore is located approximately 20 miles east of Hyannis, MA.

In Rhode Island, state parks and saltwater beaches are open with limitations in place. The number of parking spots will be reduced, and parking gates may need to be closed at times depending on beach capacity. For more information, visit: https://riparks.com/covid19.php

 

2021 First Day Hikes Resources

The full listing of First Day Hikes and other special programs in America’s State Parks is available at:

https://www.stateparks.org/special-programs/first-day-hikes/

America's State Parks - First Day Hikes

American Hiking Society - First Day Hikes

 

Related Information

First Day Hikes in New England 2020

Christmas in New England

Coastal Connecticut Waterfront Experiences

New London Ledge Light | credit USCG

An incredible range of waterfront experiences can be found in Coastal Connecticut.

This article touches on a few of the state's most interesting destinations, including waterfront cities, historic towns, coastal resorts, beaches, seashores, and wild areas.

Connecticut is New England's southernmost state. Located on the western side of Long Island Sound, the coast of Connecticut is famous for its sandy beaches, scenic shorelines, and waterfront towns.

New London, Old Saybrook, New Haven, Bridgeport, Mystic, and other coastal communities are among the hundreds of possible destinations that are suitable for day trips, weekend getaways, and summer vacations.

Most Connecticut coastal towns are located within minutes of I-95, which provides travelers with reasonable access.

For northbound motorists, Greenwich is a good first stop off for food, shopping, and other needs. Nearby, Old Greenwich is known for its seaside views. At Greenwich Point, travelers can explore the park, public beaches, and Bruce Museum Seaside Center.

Norwalk is another coastal town with plenty of things to do. Oyster Shell Park has waterfront pedestrian paths with nautical works of art, harbor views along the Norwalk River, and educational exhibits. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk includes displays of fish, crustaceans, and other marine life. At Norwalk Beach, a pier provides view of Long Island and access for saltwater fishing. The annual Norwalk Boat Show and Oyster Festivals are popular with locals and tourists.

Not far to the east is Sherwood Island State Park. The 235 acre includes beaches, access for saltwater fishing, picnic areas and a 9/11 memorial.

Located along the Thames River, New London is one of Connecticut's oldest cities. Its waterfront area offers a variety of attractions and experiences. Ferry service from New London includes routes to Long Island and Block Island. Both ferry trips provide travelers with extensive views of Long Island Sound.

Further Reading

Connecticut Tourism Information

Maine Sea Grant Working Waterfront and Coastal Communities Promotion

Maine Sea Grant recently announced a competition to generate great ideas in support of Maine's working waterfront and coastal communities. Awards are available of up to $15,000.

Buoy Maine will focus on strengthening coastal/marine seafood and tourism related industries, highlighting the Maine Brand and experience, building resiliency, and helping Maine's coastal businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Partnerships are encouraged.

Any business or non-profit connected to the Maine seafood or tourism industries or the heritage of its fishing communities are eligible to apply.

The competition will consist of three phases:

Participants will pitch their ideas via the Buoy Maine Virtual Pitch Competition by September 14, 2020.

Applicants that advance to the Pitch at the Buoy Maine Pitch Competition in October will share their idea in a 5-minute pitch. A judges panel will evaluate pitches, and awardees will receive up to $15,000 to further develop their innovation over the next 6 months. Pitches that receive awards will be made public after the Pitch event.

At the Share at the Buoy Maine Finale, selected awardees will share the product or project at a virtual public celebration, including lessons learned, successes, challenges, and how their ideas may support others. The finale will also be a networking event with investors.

For more information, visit https://seagrant.umaine.edu/funding-opportunities/buoy-maine/

source: Maine Department of Marine Resources

Connecticut Black Bear Encounters 2020

Black Bear | credit: USFWS

In Connecticut, interactions between black bears and people are continuing to rise, resulting in unprecedented numbers of complaints and requests for assistance, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Some of these interactions have been serious, including bears entering homes and gravely injuring both leashed and unleashed dogs.

As of July 8th, 2020 DEEP had received more reports of bears entering homes (25) than in any previous year.

Connecticut could triple the average number of black bear home entries experienced 2018 and 2019, according to DEEP. The number of home entries reported this year in June alone (17) equaled those reported during all of 2019.

DEEP is reminding residents of several best practices they can incorporate to help reduce the likelihood of an encounter with a bear. These practices, along with additional information, are available on DEEP’s “Living with Black Bears” website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Nuisance-Wildlife/Living-with-Black-Bears

Black bears that access and consume human-associated food (e.g. birdseed, trash, pet food) on a regular basis become habituated (comfortable around people) and food-conditioned (associate humans with food).

As the bear population continues to grow and expand its range, and bears become increasingly food conditioned, conflicts with humans will continue to increase, and food-conditioned bears pose a greater risk to public safety and often cause more property damage to houses, cars, pets, and livestock.

In the rare instance when a bear appears to be aggressive toward people, residents should immediately contact DEEP’s 24-hour dispatch line at 860-424-3333.

Bear sightings reported by the public provide valuable information to assist the DEEP in monitoring changes in the black bear population.

Anyone who observes a black bear in Connecticut is encouraged to report the sighting on DEEP’s website at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Nuisance-Wildlife/Living-with-Black-Bears or call the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011.

Information on the presence or absence of ear tags, including tag color and numbers, is particularly valuable. A common misconception is that a tagged bear is a problem bear, and a bear with two ear tags was caught on two different occasions because it was causing problems.

Actually, every bear receives two ear tags (one in each ear) the first time it is handled by DEEP. Most tagged bears have not been caught as problem bears, but rather as part of a project researching the state’s population.

DEEP suggests that municipalities adopt ordinances prohibiting the feeding of black bears, as a way of reducing conflicts between humans and bears. The towns of Hartland, Colebrook, and Barkhamsted have already adopted such ordinances

source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 50th Anniversary

In 2020, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its renaming in honor of the world-renowned marine biologist, author, environmentalist and former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee, Rachel Carson.

The refuge's year-long celebration marks the formal dedication of the renaming, which took place on June 27, 1970. The 50th anniversary celebration will include an array of virtual and remote events.

During the 50th anniversary celebration, the refuge will be highlighting dozens of opportunities to explore its wealth of wildlife, habitat and natural resources, as well as Rachel Carson’s legacy.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1966 as the Coastal Maine National Wildlife Refuge, is comprised of 11 divisions, which span 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth.

Currently at 5,690 acres, the refuge will contain approximately 14,683 acres of various wildlife habitats when land acquisition is complete.

In addition to sheltering wildlife and protecting natural resources, Rachel Carson NWR offers a variety of experiences on public lands.

The refuge contains three main nature trails and many wildlife observation stations featuring every habitat type found on the refuge, hunting and fishing opportunities, interpretive and educational programs, a visitor information center, volunteering opportunities, and other recreational activities.

Anglers can access a variety of tidal fishing spots on the refuge. The fishing season is open year round for saltwater fishing to the head of tide.

Chauncey Creek, Brave Boat Tidal Creek, Ogunquit River, Stevens Brook, Webhannet River, Merriland River/Skinner Mill, Mousam River, Goosefare Brook, and Spurwink River were incorporated into the previous Refuge Fish Plan in 2000.

The 2020 Recreational Fishing Plan expands fishing opportunities available to the public by opening the Little River at Timber Point.

Rachel Carson was a world-renowned marine biologist, author and environmentalist who served as an aquatic biologist and editor-in-chief for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She has been credited with launching the contemporary environmental movement and awakening the concern of Americans for the environment.

In her writings, Rachel Carson displayed a unique ability to simultaneously engage her own sense of wonder as well as that of her readers through eloquent prose and investigation of natural phenomena and biological processes. Her work helped connect people to nature and inspire environmental stewardship.

Carson regularly summered on Southport Island, where she studied its beach and tide pools to research The Edge of the Sea (1955). Through tireless investigation for her greatest work, Silent Spring (1962), she linked the unrestrained use of post-World War II chemical pesticides with fearsome, biological consequences.

Overcoming industry and government pressure to abandon her research, Carson alerted generations to use chemicals with utmost caution, warning that their improper use would have devastating effects on public health and the environment.

As fitting recognition of Carson’s contributions to conservation after her death in 1964, the refuge was renamed in her honor.

source: USFWS

NOAA Northeast Region Aerial Whale Surveys

North Atlantic Right Whale | credit: NOAA Fisheries

A series of aerial surveys could provide important clues about whale movements off the New England Coast.

NOAA Fisheries scientists and colleagues from state and non-profit organizations conducted aerial surveys in the Northeast region through December 2019.

Additional flights are scheduled to occur in February, 2020.

During upcoming surveys, scientists hope to locate right whales in and near Nantucket Shoals.

Whales have been aggregating in the area recently, according to mariner's reports. NOAA scientists will also survey other areas where right whales were seen in the past.

Two recent aerial surveys used NOAA Twin Otter aircraft. The Northeast center’s aerial whale survey team conducts one based at Air Station Cape Cod.

Center staff and colleagues from other marine research organizations conducted a survey specifically for AMAPPS last fall, based at Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

Related Information

Wildlife in New England

Cape Cod National Seashore Winter Film Festival 2020

Nauset Lighthouse Eastham MA | credit: NPS

Cape Cod National Seashore Annual Winter Film Festival
January 26th thru February 23rd, 2020
Cape Cod National Seashore
Salt Pond Visitor Center
Eastham, MA

Cape Cod National Seashore’s Annual Winter Film Festival kicks off on Sunday, January 26 at 1:30 pm at Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham.

This year's festival explores the power of the human mind in overcoming extreme obstacles. Films show on Sundays at 1:30 pm on the theater-size screen in surround sound.

The auditorium is wheelchair accessible, and the movies are free, thanks to generous licensing funding provided by Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

January 26: A Beautiful Mind--135 minutes. 2001 biographical drama based on the life of John Nash, Nobel Laureate in economics. The story follows Nash from his days as a graduate student through his fall into delusion and schizophrenia. Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress.

February 2: Gravity--91 minutes. 2013 sci-fi thriller starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as American astronauts stranded in space after a mid-orbit destruction of their space shuttle. Selected for American Film Institute's Movies of the Year List.

February 9: The Theory of Everything--123 minutes. 2014 biographical drama about theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. Despite being diagnosed with motor neuron disease and being given two years to live, Hawking had a long career as a researcher and is regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Einstein.

February 16: Apollo 13--140 minutes. This 1995 film dramatizes the aborted 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission. En route to the moon, an on-board explosion deprives the spacecraft of most of its oxygen supply and electrical power, forcing NASA flight controllers to abort the landing and get the three astronauts home safely.

February 23: In the Heart of the Sea--121 minutes. 2015 adventure-drama based on Nathanial Philbrick's nonfiction book about the sinking of the American whaling ship Essex in 1820, an event that inspired the novel Moby-Dick.

Salt Pond Visitor Center is located at 50 Nauset Road, at the intersection of Route 6 in Eastham, MA.

Rhode Island Offshore Renewable Energy Impacts Symposium

17th Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium
April 24, 2020
University of Rhode Island
Narragansett Bay Campus
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
uri.edu/gso

The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, Rhode Island Sea Grant, the Coastal Resources Center, and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Working Group on Marine Benthal Renewable Energy Developments (WGMBRED) are organizing an opportunity to share lessons learned from Europe regarding the interactions of offshore renewable energy with the environment.

ICES WGMBRED is an internationally recognized group of scientists working at the cutting edge of ecosystem-based science associated with offshore and marine renewable energy installation and environmental interactions.

Event presentations and discussions will focus on key issues identified by Rhode Islanders regarding the potential cause-effect relationships resulting from the construction and operation of offshore renewable energy installations and recommendations for minimizing impacts and promoting opportunities for positive biological outcomes.

This event is organized at the request of Rhode Island resource users, communities, and other stakeholders to inform future decisions.

For more information and to register for the symposium, visit:

https://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/special-programs/baird/

For more on URI’s expertise and involvement in the appropriate development of offshore renewable energy, visit:

https://web.uri.edu/offshore-renewable-energy/.

source: Rhode Island Sea Grant

2020 Icebreaking Season (Northeast)

USCG Tug Bollard | credit: USCG

The 2020 U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking season has begun, as winter’s cold temperatures are anticipated to impact ports, waterways, and harbors in the Northeast.

Each winter, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) conducts icebreaking efforts throughout coastal New England.

Icebreaking is often needed on the Merrimack River, Kennebec River, Connecticut River, Penobscot Bay, Boston Harbor, Cape Cod Bay, Buzzard's Bay, Narragansett Bay, Long Island Sound, and other waterways.

Operation Reliable Energy for Northeast Winters (OpRENEW) is the Coast Guard's region-wide effort to ensure Northeast communities have the security, supplies, energy, and emergency resources they need throughout the winter.

Of the heating oil used in the country, more than 85 percent is consumed in the Northeast, and 90 percent of that is delivered on a Coast Guard maintained waterway by ship.

The Coast Guard's domestic icebreaking operations are intended to facilitate navigation within reasonable demands of commerce and minimize waterways closures during the winter, while enabling commercial vessels to transit through ice-covered critical channels.

Coast Guard crews are also replacing aids to navigation with special ice buoys designed to ride underneath ice and remain on location.

A coordinated effort with the maritime industry ensures the vital ports of the Northeast remain open year-round.

source: U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast