1. Hog Island Audubon Camp
YOUR NAME HERE Session You Attended HERE Scholarship Ambassador

2. Note to ambassadors
Please feel free to edit the slideshow to make it your own. I would encourage you to include your own photos and give your story. The slides included here are merely for you to have if you need/want to include them. At Hog Island we believe personal testimony of attending camp is the best way to get others to attend. We thank you for being an ambassador!

3. The story of Hog Island Audubon Camp starts with a socialite from Massachusetts. Mabel Loomis Todd made her money publishing the poetry of Emily Dickinson. She edited the first volumes of Emily’s poetry after Emily’s death and then went on a nation-wide speaking tour.
Mabel heard that Hog Island in Mid-Coast Maine was to be clear cut and she knew she should save the island and keep it as pristine as possible.

4. Mabel Loomis Todd and her husband David Todd built a little camp on Hog Island in the early 1900’s. Camp Mavosheen was a place where the Todd family would vacation in the summer.

5. The original camp house has since been remodeled by the Friends of Hog Island (FOHI) and serves as the home of the Hog Island Artist Residency.

6. Their one daughter, Millicent Todd, would become instrumental in creating the Hog Island Audubon Camp. Mabel and Millicent edited a Complete Works of Emily Dickinson on Hog Island and used the funds to buy the whole island. Millicent loved the island and wanted to see it shared with other people so they could become closer to nature. After Mabel’s death, Millicent searched for an organization to partner with to establish a nature camp.

7. Millicent met John Baker, president of the National Audubon Society and convinced him that Hog Island would make the perfect destination for a nature camp to educate teachers and inspire future generations to care for the Earth. The National Audubon Society had been started by women who wanted to protect bird species from overhunting. Birds were hunted almost to extinction in the name of fashion – making elaborate hats with bird feathers. This organization was the perfect partner that Millicent was looking for as John Baker was a former summer camp staff member and loved the idea of establishing a new camp for adults.

8. In 1936 the Hog Island Audubon Camp opened for visitors and teachers from around the country came to “camp” for 2 week periods to learn about nature and how to take that information back to their classrooms.

9. The first bird life instructor at Hog Island was Roger Tory Petersen
The first bird life instructor at Hog Island was Roger Tory Petersen. Roger Tory Petersen didn’t last very long as an instructor but he went on to become the father of the modern field guide. His Golden Guide to Birds inspired the next generation of birdwatchers.
Allan Cruickshank, birding instructor for Hog Island, stayed for decades and became instrumental in developing research projects and establishing the camp in Maine. Allan was a groundbreaking photographer of birds and captured intimate moments in the nests by building elaborate scaffolding to get his cameras in places not previously seen in photos.

10. Allan was also known to do head stands on the Hog Island boat when a particular good bird was seen on the bay field trips.

11. For over 80 years education programs would be taught in the sciences with an emphasis on bird life.
In the 1960s Millicent would dedicate the whole island to the National Audubon Society. Here she is seen at the island dedication with her dear friend Rachel Carson, in front of the Fish House.

12. In 1973 Project Puffin was founded by Stephen Kress
In 1973 Project Puffin was founded by Stephen Kress. Steve was the Camp Director of Hog Island at the time and read a passage about puffins formerly occupying a nearby island. Puffin populations in Mid-coast Maine where extirpated due to hunting and Steve had a vision of bringing the species back.

13. It took many years and perseverance for this project to actually work
It took many years and perseverance for this project to actually work. But when the first puffin was seen flying over Eastern Egg rock with fish in it’s mouth, the researchers knew that puffins were once again nesting on Eastern Egg Rock.

14. SRP Managed Islands Stratton Island Outer Green Island Jenny Island
Pond Island NWR
Eastern Egg Rock
Matinicus Rock
Seal Island NWR
More nesting island were re-established including Seal Island NWR and Matinicus Rock. While the three puffin colonies continued to grow other seabird colonies re-established such as Common, Arctic and Roseate Terns. Southern islands were found – Jenny, Pond, Outer Green and Stratton to re-establish Tern colonies since this bird also had been in decline since the plume trade.

15. We have live cameras on our Osprey nest on Hog island and puffin islands. People from all over the world are learning about seabirds by tuning in.

16. Hog Island Audubon Camp
2018 Schedule
Spring Migration & Monhean Island, May 27 to June 1
Joy of Birding, June 3 to 8 Hands-on Bird Science, June 10-15
Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens, Session One: June 10 to 15; Session Two: June 17 to 22
Field Ornithology, June 17 to 22
Mtns to Sea Birding for Teens, June 24 to 29
Arts and Birding, July 8 to 13
Raptor Rapture, July 8 to 13  
Educator's Week, July 15 to 20 Costa Rica Birding for Teens, July 30 to Aug 3
Family Camp, August 5 to 10; August 12 to 17
Maine Seabird Biology and Conservation, September 2 to 7 
Living on the Wind: Fall Migration and Monhegan Island, 
September 2-7; September 9 to 14
Hog Island Audubon Camp continues to offer camps for birdwatchers, naturalists, and teachers. It has expanded from adult programs to also include programs for teen birders and families.

17. Photos of Hog for you to use.

18. Photos of Hog for you to use.

21. Questions?