Oysters, Wine, and Animal Affairs: A Valentine's Day Celebration with a Twist
2026-02-14 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Halifax) | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Come celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Shaw Institute! Enjoy Oysters, wine, and cheese (you know those good ol’ aphrodisiacs) before our executive director shares an R-rated lecture on how critters find love in the natural world. He’ll speak about interesting mating strategies, wacky habits, strange mate choices, and relationship drama in the animal kingdom. From eating your mate’s head or doing silly bird dances in hopes of securing a partner, we’ll cover all the best of the wild and zany love stories in nature. Think you’ve been in weird relationships? Well, think again. MUST BE AT LEAST 21.

Food and Drink 4:30-5:30 pm
Lecture: 5:30-6:30 pm

COST: $36 per person
This event is LIMITED TO 30 people.

Earth Day Celebration: Shaw Institute and BHHT
2026-04-11 09:30 - 12:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Celebrate Earth Day with a free, community-powered event that brings together families, local schools, and environmental organizations in a shared commitment to protecting our planet.
This year’s special feature is “Dear Community” Kids Letters — an inspiring project where children write letters or create drawings expressing their commitment to the Earth and their community. Submissions will be collected through local schools and published in The Weekly Packet (target issue: April 16).
Selected letters and artwork will also be displayed in the Shaw Institute lobby through June 30, highlighting the voices of our youngest environmental stewards.
Invitations to schools and families will be distributed by March 15. The submission deadline is April 11.
✍️ “Dear Community” Kids Letters Project
Children are invited to:

Write a letter about how they will care for the Earth
Create a drawing showing their environmental commitment
Share ideas for protecting their community

Publication Goal: April 16 issue of The Weekly Packet (2–4 page feature spread)Submission Deadline: April 11
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DEAR COMMUNITY FORM
🎨 Event Activities & Crafts
Families can enjoy hands-on Earth Day fun including:
Crafts

♻️ Nature & microplastic mosaics
🐚 Shell necklace creations

Interactive Activities

🐚 Shell tic-tac-toe
🌊 Touch tank exploration
🌎 Additional Earth-themed learning stations

Touch Tank 1-Year Anniversary Celebration!
2026-04-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Celebrate the first anniversary of our 200-gallon touch tank! With special treats courtesy of our friends at the Blue Chill and Hannaford’s. If you’ve been here before, come rediscover all our critters native to the Gulf of Maine. And if you’ve never visited, this is the perfect opportunity to take in this amazing hands-on experience. It’s FREE, FUN and FANTASTIC!!
Thank you to:

Their ongoing support had continued to allow us to make our Environmental Education Center free and open to the public year-round!

Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce After-hours Event
2026-04-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
As part part of the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours series, come visit the Shaw Institute in downtown Blue Hill! Guests can view the touch tank, aquariums, and exhibits. Researchers and volunteers will be available to answer questions and talk about Shaw’s work. Additionally, we’ll have lab tours every half hour starting at 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM, and 6:30 PM.
RSVP TODAY: katelin@ellsworthchamber.com
Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA
2026-04-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Blue Hill YMCA, 32 Mines Rd, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, United States
Shaw is participating in Health Kids Day at the Blue Hill YMCA. A day of fun and supporting healthy living for kids of all ages.
We’ll be providing an ocean-themed activity

Storytime with Charlie the Shark at Blue Hill Public Library
2026-05-02 10:30 - 11:30 | Blue Hill Public Library, 5 Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, United States
Kids are invited to an Ocean Storytime with Charlie the Shark from the Shaw Institute on Saturday, May 2 at 10:30 am. Charlie loves to read books to kids about the ocean and teach them why caring about our oceans is important. Join him for a fun ocean themed story, songs about the ocean and a fun craft!
The Shaw Institute’s mission is to discover and expose environmental threats to people and wildlife through innovative science and to engage in global partnerships to improve human and ecological health. For more information, visit https://www.shawinstitute.org/.
For more information, email Claire at claire.malina@bhpl.net or call the library at 374-5515

World Ocean Day: Celebrating Research to Understand Ecosystem-to-Human Connection
2026-06-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Blue Hill Co-op, 70 South Street, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, United States
Dr. Charlie Rolsky, Executive Director of the Shaw Institute, will present the latest research from the Shaw Institute on the impact of plastics on human health, PFAS contamination, and innovative coastal monitoring efforts. His talk will delve into the complex reality of plastic pollution, offering insights into a more sustainable future and highlighting the importance of connecting environmental health to human health, both locally and globally.

Celebrate World Ocean Day with a Family-Friendly Beach Cleanup!
2026-06-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Bridges Point, 23 Bridges Point Lane, Brooklin, ME, 04616, United States
Join the Shaw Institute and The Blue Hill Co-op for this community event to help care for our fragile Maine coastline. It’s a coastal cleanup that continues the celebration of World Ocean Day. All are welcome, and cleanup materials, including gloves and bags, will be provided.
Location
Bridges Point
23 Bridges Point Ln, Brooklin, ME

Born This Way, and Every Way: Diversity Across the Animal Kingdom
2026-06-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Pentagoet Inn & Pub, 26 Main St, Castine, ME, 04421, United States
Dr. Charles Rolsky will be hosting “Born This Way, and Every Way: Diversity Across the Animal Kingdom,” a fun, Pride Month-themed talk in the pub on Monday, June 15, at 5pm, inclusive of a little game he calls “So You Think YOU’VE got a Weird Relationship?” We will explore the animal kingdom’s most extraordinary connections. During this lecture, we’ll celebrate Pride by uncovering the diverse ways nature’s creatures bond, from same-sex pairings to queer and trans relationships. These fascinating love stories reveal that diverse affection is a perfectly natural part of our world

So come on by, grab a glass of wine, and let’s talk about the animal kingdom, in all its fascinating ways!

Suggested age: 17 & up

Marine Biology Walk & Talk
2026-07-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Curtis Cove Beach, Milliken Road, Blue Hill, Maine, 04614
Discover how pollution impacts watersheds while learning about marine biology and local ecology. During this session, organized by the East Blue Hill Library, the Shaw Institute, will share insights from its extensive history of beach monitoring. Learn how our ongoing research initiatives work to safeguard both marine wildlife and the local community. Please meet at the beach. Parking is available at either the beach or down the street at the library. Rain date July 29.
Ages 6 and older.

Hanna B. Designs Pop Up at the Shaw Institute!
2026-07-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Hanna B. Designs Pop Up at the Shaw Institute
Come shop and play with Hanna B. at the Shaw Institute from 10 am to 4 pm in her iconic pink trailer on Friday, July 17!
Rain date: July 24

Tide Pool Exploration
2026-07-21 10:30 - 12:00 | DC
Learn about local marine ecology, and oceanography and the creatures that call Maine home, but be prepared to get wet!
This activity is for ages 8 and up, and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be prepared for wet, slippery, and uneven ground. We recommend dressing lightly, bringing a water bottle, and wearing appropriate footwear such as waterproof shoes, hiking boots, or sturdy sandals.

Stitch and Suds: A Sustainable Clothing Workshop
2026-08-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Join us for an afternoon of learning sustainable clothes practices! Create your own personalized wool dryer ball and mend your preloved clothes! Ages 10 and up. No experience required. FREE event but registration is required.

Charlie the Shark at Blue Hill Town Park
2026-08-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Blue Hill Town Park, 113 Water St, ME, 04614, United States
Kids are invited to an Ocean Storytime with Charlie the Shark from the Shaw Institute on Thursday, August 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Blue Hill Town Park. Charlie loves to read books to kids about the ocean and teach them why caring about our oceans is important. Join him for a fun ocean themed story, songs about the ocean, and a scavenger hunt!
The Shaw Institute’s mission is to discover and expose environmental threats to people and wildlife through innovative science and to engage in global partnerships to improve human and ecological health. For more information, visit https://www.shawinstitute.org/.
For more information, email Claire at claire.malina@bhpl.net or call the library at 374-5515.

Shaw Institute: Guided Tidepool at The Nub
2026-08-11 15:30 - 17:30 | The Nub, 113 Falls Bridge Rd, Blue Hill, ME 04614, 113 Falls Bridge Rd, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, United States

Shaw Institute: Updates on Research, Education, and Public Outreach
2026-08-18 17:00 - 18:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Join Executive Director Dr. Charlie Rolsky for an update on the Shaw Institute’s growing impact in the lab and across the coastal communities we serve. Over the past two years, we have expanded our environmental research, launched new educational initiatives, and deepened our partnerships to protect local ecosystems. Discover our latest milestones and hear our vision for the future. Plus, stick around after the talk for a hands-on touch tank experience and a chance to meet our newest aquarium residents, featuring Maine seahorses and a rare blue lobster! Doors open at 4:30 PM for drinks and refreshments. Lecture begins at 5 PM.

Nature’s Love Stories: An R-Rated, Wildly Queer Exploration
2026-08-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Pentagoet Inn & Pub, 26 Main St, Castine, ME, 04421, United States
Join us for a whimsical exploration of the animal kingdom’s most extraordinary connections as our executive director shares a lecture on how critters find love in the natural world. These fascinating love stories reveal that diverse affection is a perfectly natural part of our world. He’ll speak about interesting mating strategies, wacky habits, strange mate choices, and relationship drama in the animal kingdom. From eating your mate’s head or doing silly bird dances in hopes of securing a partner, we’ll cover all the best of the wild and zany love stories in nature. Suggested age: 17 & Up
Location:
Pentagöet Inn & Pub
26 Main Street
Castine, ME 04421
207-326-8616

Hanna B. Designs Pop Up at the Shaw Institute!
2026-08-29 10:00 - 17:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Hanna B. Designs Pop Up at the Shaw Institute
Back by popular demand! Come shop and play with Hanna B. and special guest, Griffin Tyler Art at the Shaw Institute from 10 am to 5 pm in her iconic pink trailer on Saturday, August 29!

Nudibranch Needle Felting Workshop
2026-08-30 09:00 - 11:30 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Discover the world of nudibranchs, the vibrant and colorful sea slugs that roam the ocean without shells. This hands-on workshop offers a chance to explore their biology—including their habitats, diets, and local species—while crafting your very own felted sea slug.
Instructor: Reese Wolfe
Date: Sunday, August 30
Time: 9:00 am-11:30 pm
Ages 10 & up
Registration Waiver
Instructor Bio:
Reese is a local Blue Hill artist who has a passion for the fibre art of needle felting. Reese is studying Ecology and Environmental Sciences with a focus on Marine Ecosystems at UMO.
He is enamored with North American wildlife and ecosystems. You’ll notice that most of his work focuses on recreating their likeness as detailed as possible. In doing so, he hopes to spread the word of each and every animal’s conservation efforts through his artwork. Reese is excited to share his love for the art and the animals he recreates with the community.

Demystifying Plastic Pollution with Dr. Charlie Rolsky
2026-09-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Wilson Museum, Hutchins Education Center 112 Perkins Street, Castine, ME, 04421, United States
Explore the complexities of our relationship with plastic in an engaging discussion led by plastic pollution expert, Dr. Charlie Rolsky of the Shaw Institute. He will cut through the confusion, separating the facts from the fiction surrounding the widespread use of this material. Dr. Rolsky will address critical issues, including the threats posed by microplastic pollution to environmental and human health, and the deceptive practices of “greenwashing.” Join us for insights that offer hope for a more sustainable future.
Wilson Museum-Hutchins Education Center
112 Perkins Street, Castine, ME 04421

Oceans to Orbits: Science, Art & Action
2026-09-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Featuring Nicole Stott, Christina Korp, and Dr. Charles Rolsky
Join us for a community celebration of science, art, and environmental stewardship. Explore a unique exhibition featuring work created by Blue Hill Harbor School and George Stevens Academy students using marine debris. This event is part of the “Oceans to Orbits: Science, Art and Action” initiative featuring astronaut Nicole Stott and astronaut wrangler Christina Korp.

Carter Nature Preserve Beach Cleanup with Blue Hill Heritage Trust (BHHT)
2026-09-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Carter Nature Preserve, 99 Cross Road, Surry, ME, 04684, United States
Celebrate Maine Coastal Cleanup month with the Shaw Institute and Blue Hill Heritage Trust. All community members are welcome to participate. Bags and gloves will be provided. Please note that trails and shoreline areas have varied terrain. Participants are advised to dress appropriately for both the outdoor weather and the tasks involved. Rain date: Sunday, September 20. No registration required.
For additional details or inquiries, please contact:
BHHT Office: (207)374-5118
Shaw Institute: info@shawinstitute.org or (207) 374-2135
Location: Carter Nature Preserve, 99 Cross Rd, Surry, ME 04684
