ORONO and BANGOR – Something magical happens this time of year. The Orono Bog Boardwalk will open for the season at 7 a.m. Thursday, May 1.

The boardwalk, located in the Bangor City Forest, is one of the premier nature excursion destinations in the area. Jointly managed by the Orono Land Trust, the city of Bangor and the University of Maine, it has been a fixture in the community since it opened in June 2003. Now, with more than 30,000 visitors a year, it has become a “must go” place for those who want to experience a northern peat bog and all it has to offer.

Those who have visited the boardwalk multiple times will tell you that every visit brings new wonders. Among the treasures to be found are several species of orchids, pitcher plants, sundews, cotton grass, high-bush blueberries, skunk cabbage, wildlife both small and large, and so much more.

Seven interpretative stations are located along the boardwalk to educate visitors about the plant and animal life they may see. A list of plants and birds of the boardwalk can be found at www.oronobogwalk.org.

Whether you visit the 4,200-foot-long boardwalk for exercise, solitude, a family outing, bird-watching (best in the early spring) or for photographing nature, a visit is always a pleasurable experience.

The boardwalk is ADA-compliant, fully accessible to those using wheelchairs. Wheelchair turn-arounds are located every 200 feet along the length of the boardwalk. Each of these also has a seat for restful enjoyment of the surroundings.

Every year, guides lead scores of groups on tours. During the past four years, guides have led school groups of all ages, garden clubs, conference visitors, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and many others.

If a group is coming by bus, arrangements may be made to park the bus close to the beginning of the boardwalk. To schedule a group tour, e-mail Dr. John Maddaus at John.Maddaus@umit.maine.edu. Include “Orono Bog Boardwalk” on the subject line. Request tours at least two weeks in advance of the desired date.

There also are specific subject-based events throughout the year. Walks are scheduled to be led by experts on plants, mosses, peat ecology, astronomy, birds and hydrology. Subject specialists for additional walks are being recruited.

Also scheduled are guided general walks every second and third Saturday. Visit the Web site for information on current and future guided-subject walks and how to register. In keeping with the public education mission of the boardwalk, all guided tours are free.

The Orono Bog Boardwalk is operated entirely by volunteers. These dedicated people serve in a variety of capacities. Those who wish to volunteer may e-mail Joan Martin at Joan.Martin@umit.maine.edu. Include “Orono Bog Boardwalk” on the subject line. The boardwalk is an excellent place for students to fulfill the service learning requirement.

To make a donation to support the boardwalk, make checks payable to the University of Maine Foundation, with “Bog Boardwalk” on the memo line, sent to UMF, 2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469. To support the endowment for long-term operation, donors may choose to sponsor one or more of the 509 sections, each of which is 8 feet long.

Hours of operation are 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. seven days a week throughout the spring and summer. In the fall and winter, hours change to reflect the time change and day length.

For information, call Jim Bird, Orono Bog Boardwalk director, at 581-1697, or e-mail Jim.Bird@umit.maine.edu.