EAST HODGDON, Maine — While many of her peers are enjoying their summer break from the classroom, Hodgdon teacher Sara McQuarrie has been busy coming up with new ways to incorporate her passion for science into everyday life.
McQuarrie, a middle school science teacher at Mill Pond School in Hodgdon who is also known as the lead organizer of the “Sneakin’ In Science” course at the Houlton Recreation Department, will celebrate the grand opening Saturday, July 16, of her latest venture, the Twin Ponds Nature and Discovery Center.
“I’ve always loved the outdoors and working with kids and I am so excited about this new venture that merges my two passions,” McQuarrie said. “I have always wanted to do something like this. When this land came up for sale, we jumped at the chance.”
Located on the Henderson Hill Road, the center includes a quarter-mile trail that leads to a pond. Visitors can go on a nature treasure hunt to find various items along the trail, such as a tree with woodpecker holes or a yellow birch tree.
Additional trails will be built on the seven-acre parcel of land that is adjacent to the McQuarries’ home. The twin ponds on the property are named after the McQuarries’ children, Katie and Neal. Her husband James assists with much of the hands-on trail building on the site.
Nature and science classes will also be offered at the center.
McQuarrie has spent the past 10 years in the classroom educating youth about all aspects of science and nature. Before that, she worked as a park ranger at Baxter State Park.
The Twin Ponds Nature and Discovery Center will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Come hike the Pond Trail, look for Tourmaline in mining rough from Mt. Mica in Paris, Maine or sign up for a class and check out their gift shop, which includes plants that react to human touch.
“I really just want to share the love of the outdoors with people, especially kids, in a setting where people can come and enjoy nature,” McQuarrie said. “The more kids learn about nature, the more willing they will be to try and protect it.”
For more information, email McQuarrie at Twinpondsnaturecenter@gmail.com or visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TwinPondsnaturecenter/ or go to http://www.twinpondsndc.com/.
