NEWRY – Maine’s rugged scenery, woods and abundant wildlife will play host to members of the National Wildlife Federation over the weekend and following week.

The NWF’s 2003 Family Summit will be held Saturday, July 12, through Friday, July 18, at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel and Conference Center at Sunday River Ski Resort. Last year, the popular event was held at Yellowstone National Park.

In addition to guided hikes in Maine and New Hampshire, participants from adults to children will learn about area wildlife and plants while participating in workshops, classes and field trips.

Among the educational topics are animal tracks and trails, blue herons, black bears, birding, bobcats, otters, flying squirrels and moose.

Other activities include canoeing and kayaking the Androscoggin River, fly fishing and poling clinics, drawing and painting in nature, forest stewardship, high ropes courses, mountain biking, geology, camping and orienteering.

During the week, some members are also slated to participate in a service project on a section of the new, partially-completed Grafton Loop Trail and other service projects that involve creating habitat for wildlife.

The National Wildlife Federation is the nation’s largest member-supported conservation group, uniting individuals, organizations, businesses and government to protect wildlife, wild places and the environment.

Its mission is to educate, inspire and assist individuals and organizations of diverse cultures to conserve wildlife and other natural resources and to protect the Earth’s environment in order to achieve a peaceful, equitable and sustainable future.

For more information about the family summit, visit www.nwf.org/summits/2003summit.html.

[email protected]