TURNER — Wilder Waters Community, a nonprofit conservation organization in Canton practicing a new method of conservation — what they call “reciprocal conservation” — has announced its upcoming benefit, the Dawnland Gathering.

The three-day educational event will be held from July 26 to 29 at Nezinscot Farm’s North Farm in Turner. There will be three days of classes, including acorn processing, archery, traditional Passamaquoddy basketry and friction fire.

There will be a kid’s camp concurrently for children ages 5 to 12. There will also be a local artisan marketplace on Sunday afternoon and nightly events, including a gathering wide drum circle and talks by health motivator Daniel Vitalis and renowned botanist Arthur Haines. Nezinscot Farm will cater organic meals during the event.

The early-bird price for adults is $225 and for children $110, which includes three organic breakfasts, three organic dinners, classes, tent site and parking. This is a family friendly event, and children under the age of 4 are free. Prices will increase after May 1.

All of the classes will demonstrate methods of “reciprocal conservation.” Coined by Arthur Haines, a local botanist and member of the organization, “reciprocal conservation” describes Wilder Waters’ conservation-through-use approach toward land conservation, an approach designed to integrate humans into the natural community to deepen nature connection and thus deepen their desire to protect wild lands.

If people gather their food, medicine and clothing from their surrounding landscapes, the people will protect that land from development. While this concept may be new to some, Haines explains, “Reciprocal conservation is actually the historical way of wild peoples around the world. The richness of the North American continent was and, in some places, still is based on these ancient conservation practices promoting long-term health of humans and their habitat, rather than merely economic gain.”

All proceeds from the gathering will be used to purchase and protect land in Canton.

For more information about Wilder Waters Community and to sign up for the Dawnland Gathering, go to www.wilderwaterscommunity.org.

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