oN cAMPUS OUTDOOR SPACES
From trails in the woods, along the river, flower gardens and diverse of trees and plants, the University of Maine Orono campus has an abundance of opportunities to enjoy being outside.
The Dwight B. Demeritt Forest is full of paths (totaling more than 15 miles!) through the woods and connects to the Piney Knoll Conservation Area trails. Featured trails include the Dorion Loop, Cornfield Loop, Old Town Loop, Pinkham Trails, and Otto Farm Loop.
A fun trail to try is the Snowshoe Trail which passes through the Caribou Pen. In the 1980s, the Maine Caribou Project tried to reintroduce Caribou to Maine by transporting them from Canada and housing them here, at the University of Maine. Between 1987 to 1989, there were 50 calves born. Unfortunately, they all perished due to diseases. Since Caribou need deep fluffy snow to survive, there is minimal potential to reintroduce Caribou to Maine because climate change has caused winters in Maine to rain more.
The Littlefield Garden is full of many unique species of plants that bloom in the spring. There is a small pond, benches, and lots of trees. There are a variety of apple trees near the South Entrance, across from Parking Services. At the North Entrance, beside the Astronomy Center, there is a dirt path leading to the beautiful flower gardens and cherry trees.
The Fay Hyland Botanical Garden offers a pleasant space to enjoy being by the river. An entrance off of College Ave. beside the Heritage House leads down to the river and contains unique species of trees.
There is a Nature Trail beginning at the Steam Plant Lot along the river that is pretty all year long. It extends past the Botanical Garden and continues along the river.
