Amphibian Road Crossing Study in Acadia National Park, Saturday afternoon, February 24th 3:00 till about 4:15, at the parish house of the Somesville Union Meeting House church (low building to the left of the church).
Why did the spotted salamander cross the road? For some very important business. The “why” is well known, but the when, how, and where questions are what we would like to know more about, particularly in Acadia National Park for this study. This project is a collaboration with Acadia National Park to study amphibian road crossings and is looking to recruit an army of citizen scientists to help over the next two years, starting this winter. The project is led by Marisa Monroe, a Master of Science degree student at the University of Maine, Orono in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Conservation Biology. The Sanctuary is hosting this program to help with volunteer recruitment. There will be a more technical follow-up training for those who would like to participate in the study.
The team is hoping that volunteers can help build a large enough sample size to map and predict when and where crossings occur in the Park. Another goal is to monitor throughout the year in an effort to encounter more species and out-migrating juvenile frogs and salamanders.
This talk will cover the different amphibian species found on Mt. Desert Island, how their migrations might differ, methods for reducing mortality, and what we hope to discover in the next few years. It would be great to hear from attendees what local amphibian movements they have observed over the years. No commitment to the citizen science project is expected for attendees of the program.
Additional parking for the church parish house is available at the MDI Historic Society museum corner lot and at the repertory theater across from the Somesville fire station. Please join us and share the event date with anyone you think might be interested!
Pond Life Under the Ice, with Edwin Barkdoll, Friday March 8th 2024, 7:00-8:00 pm at the parish house of the Somesville Union Meeting House church (low building to the left of the church).
Do you ever wonder what hides under the ice of a frozen Maine pond? Have you ever witnessed close up the springtime explosion of amphibian life that follows winter? Join Maine Master Naturalist and photographer Edwin Barkdoll for an evening of exploring life under the ice culminating in the annual amphibian emergence and migration. We will examine many creatures, from nearly microscopic crustaceans to the shy salamanders and boisterous frogs who emerge after ice breakup. Expect to leave and never look at a frozen pond with quite the same eyes. Come join us for this fantastic program!
* Parking is limited at the church so carpool if coming with friends [additional parking can be found at the MDI Historical Society Museum at the corner of Oak Hill Rd and Main Street and in front of the Somesville Library by the Mill Pond. From the museum and library you can walk up the sidewalk on the west side of Main Street – it is a little more than 200 yards to the church. Parking is also available at the Acadia Repertory Theater across from the fire station.
Upcoming training dates for amphibian surveys in Acadia National Park.
The Sanctuary hosted University of Maine graduate student and project lead Marisa Monroe in late February for a talk about this project and generated a bunch of participants. The survey period continues through the summer and It would be great to have more volunteer help! See the flyer below for details. Please share with anyone you think might be interested and available.
Current Issues in Tree Health and Disease with Research Scientist Beth Brantley, Monday June 3rd, 2024, 7:00-8:00 pm, Somesville Church Parish House
Dr. Beth Brantley will provide a tree health care update for some of the important tree species of Mt. Desert Island and New England, featuring beech leaf disease, elongate hemlock scale, and other health concerns for our forests and yard trees. History, biology, impacts to the host trees, and management will be covered. Bartlett Arborist Representatives will join in the discussion sharing their local experiences.
Beth is the Northeast Research Scientist and Technical Support Specialist with the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories. She provides assistance to Bartlett Tree Experts arborists and their clients, conducts research on arboriculture related issues and provides outreach education opportunities. Her background includes forestry, plant pathology, and teaching.
Registration is required to help us stay within the capacity of the Parish House and guide us on room set up. Email Director Billy Helprin at somesmeynell@gmail to register.
* Parking is limited so carpool if coming with friends [additional parking can be found at the MDI Historical Society Museum at the corner of Oak Hill Rd and Main Street and in front of the Somesville Library by the Mill Pond. From the museum and library you can walk up the sidewalk on the west side of Main Street – it is a little more than 200 yards to the church. Come early if you can.
Shrubs and Woody Plants of MDI field trip with Jill Weber, Saturday July 13th, 9:00-11:00am Postponed till August date to be determined soon
Local plant expert extraordinaire Jill Weber will lead us on an exploration of the Sanctuary property on the south side of Somes Pond. We will meet at the trailhead on the south side of the Somesville fire station at the corner of Pretty Marsh Rd and Main Street. There are a few parking spots available immediately adjacent to the trailhead and across the street at the Repertory Theater. There will be a cap on the number of participants to ensure easy communication while hiking and discussing our plants of interest along the trails. Sign up by emailing Billy at somesmeynell@gmail.com.
2024 Evening Nature Paddles on Somes Pond. We will continue to host public paddles by canoe, kayak, and paddle board, as we have in past years starting in June (see more details below). We’ll have a chance to watch the resident loon family, explore the pond, and socialize with each other in a beautiful setting. Bring your own boats and meet on the water. Launch on the Pretty Marsh Road or Oak Hill Road sides of the pond. Feel free to come out beforehand to explore on your own and people can depart whenever they need to. The evening selected each week is based on the best forecast, but is usually Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Typical meeting time is 5:00. Check the Sanctuary Facebook Page for specific week postings or contact the Sanctuary at somesmeynell@gmail.com to receive email updates with the latest details.
Thursday Morning Birding/Nature Walks: most Thursday’s (sometimes Fridays depending on weather and schedule) we meet at Sanctuary Headquarters or various locations around the island to see what we can find in the natural world and catch up on what the group has been seeing and doing since our last gathering. Check the Sanctuary Facebook Page for specific week postings or contact the Sanctuary at somesmeynell@gmail.com to receive email updates with the latest details.
