Camden
Maine
Merryspring Nature Center
Mission:
To practice, teach and advocate sound principles of ecology, conservation and horticulture in order to protect our natural environment and to provide natural landscapes and cultivated areas for public enjoyment.
History:
Merryspring was founded in 1974 by Mary Ellen Ross, a local horticulturist who had attained national recognition through her mail order plant business, Merry Gardens. She envisioned creating a sanctuary where horticulture and nature could be studied firsthand. When the 66 acres which make up the Park came on the market, Mrs. Ross enlisted the help of many friends in the horticultural community and bought an option on the land. Merryspring Inc., a non-profit corporation, was formed; and a mortgage taken for the property.
Since then, the Park has enjoyed steady growth under the guidance of many dedicated volunteers. A Board of Trustees manages Merryspring, and provides much of the necessary elbow grease to keep the Park maintained as well. New attractions have been added regularly: hiking trails throughout the 1970's, the Kitty Todd Arboretum in 1980, the Herb Garden in 1984, the Hexagon and the Rose Garden in 1987, the Perennial Border in 1992, and assorted Memorials to individuals located throughout the Park.
In 1995 Merryspring embarked on the exciting new project of building a visitor's center. Completed in 1996, the Ross Center houses administrative office and Library, and its basement provides additional workspace for Park volunteers and staff. This project was a catalyst for a burst of new additions - the Hosta Garden in 1997, the Birds and Bees/Winter Color Garden and the Aileen Lubin Greenhouse in 1999. This structure, named after the past president and active volunteer, houses three different greenhouses, an equipment garage and enables us to offer year-round horticultural programming.
Recent News
Merryspring Nature Center : The Drift Rope Project
Local artist Eric Darling will lead an outdoor presentation on his current exhibition, The Drift Rope Project, at Merryspring Nature Center on Tuesday, June 20 at 12:00 pm. The Drift Rope Project, installed at Merryspring Nature Center, is a public…
Read More »Bart Wood Memorial Bird Walk
Don Reimer will lead the second annual Bart Wood Memorial Bird Walk at Merryspring Nature Center on Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 a.m. Just in time for the spring migration of many songbirds, this program will teach new birders how to look for and…
Read More »Growing Tomatoes from Seed to Harvest
John Fromer will lead an online presentation titled, “Growing Tomatoes from Seed to Harvest” in a webinar hosted by Merryspring Nature Center on Tuesday, May 9 at 12:00 pm. John Fromer, Maine Master Gardener Volunteer and Merryspring…
Read More »Planning for Resilience in Maine's Tidal Habitat
Mike Burke will lead an online presentation titled, “Planning for Resilience in Maine's Tidal Habitat” in a webinar hosted by Merryspring Nature Center on Tuesday, April 11 at 12:00 pm. Mike Burke, principal water resources engineer…
Read More »Merrysping Names Fromer New Program Director
John Fromer of Appleton is the new Program Director at Merryspring Nature Center. Fromer, who succeeds Brett Willard in that position, assumed his duties in mid-January and will be in charge of Merryspring’s many and varied educational…
Read More »Merryspring Nature Center : Flower Bulb Sale Is Back
Merryspring’s Flower Bulb Sale for fall planting is back for its third year with all of your favorites and some exciting new varieties to try- Daffodils, allium, hyacinth, anemone, camassia, and crocus are all shown on our website with height…
Read More »Annual Daylily Day - 2022
The Maine Daylily Society will host its Annual Daylily Day at Merryspring Nature. Daylilies are blooming in colorful profusion at Merryspring! Gardener and daylily hybridizer Susan Shaw will share how easy it is to create daylily varieties from…
Read More »Rope Sculpture Installed at Merryspring
Merryspring Nature Center is the temporary host to a unique outdoor sculpture created by Eric Darling of Appleton. Called the ‘Drift Rope Project,’ the 8-foot x 6-foot sculpture is made entirely of used pot warp, the colorful rope used…
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