Stanton Bird Club

The Stanton Bird Club was founded in 1919 to "stimulate interest in birds and establish a model bird sanctuary". Meetings and natural history programs are held on the first Monday of each month, October through May. A wide variety of field trips are scheduled throughout the year. All meetings and field trips are free and open to all. New Members always welcome. For nearly 100 years, the Stanton Bird Club has been protecting local habitats for wildlife to flourish. Since 1919 the Club also has been teaching each new generation of local children how better to understand and appreciate nature. Founded during a time when Americans had keen interest in protecting and enjoying wild birds (hence the name), Stanton was one of the earliest environmental organizations in New England. It has been an important part of the Lewiston-Auburn history of volunteers working for the common good. True to its tradition, Stanton continues to keep its nature preserves and its educational programs free and open to everyone.

Stanton owns three Sanctuaries covering nearly 800 acres. The Club alone funds their protection and care. Although they are neither public parks nor private playgrounds, the sanctuaries are open to visitors who respect their purpose: The protection, study and enjoyment of nature. The Woodbury Sanctuary (1929) in Monmouth and Litchfield is 401 acres. The small Applesass preserve and the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary are in Lewiston. Since 1921 Thorncrag has grown through gifts and purchases of land; 60 acres have been added since 2007. Thorncrag's 372 acres are rich in natural diversity. There are meadows and uplands, wetlands and ledges, vernal pools and No Name Brook. Stantons Environmental Education has two roots. First is the conviction that protecting an enjoying nature depend on basic knowledge of it. The second is Rachel Carson's precept: cultivation in the young a sense of wonder helps prevent boredom, even disenchantment, in later years. Thorncrag's gateway, provides safe parking for school buses and visitors, a new classroom gazebo, restrooms and an information center. The 20-year-old success of exploring with the "junior naturalist" everything from insects to stars continues. Natural history programs an field trips occur all year round. Bird watching, a great tradition of Stanton which always welcomes beginners, now serves one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in North America.