Aram Calhoun photo
Aram Calhoun will lead a vernal pool walk on Sears Island on Wednesday, May 9th, from 10am-12pm. Program participants will learn about vernal pool fauna and the landscape-scale functions of vernal pools. If time allows, Aram will also show the group some mitigation pools on Sears Island where she conducted research tracking populations of wood frogs and spotted salamanders.
Aram JK Calhoun is a Professor of Wetland Ecology in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology at the University of Maine. Her research focuses on conservation of forested wetlands and vernal pool ecosystems. She is particularly interested in conservation of natural resources on private lands and collaborative approaches to conserving wetlands through locally driven initiatives. Dr. Calhoun is active in working at all levels of government on wetland policy and conservation issues. Aram will be joined by post-doc Dr. Kristine Hoffmann, who is a herpetologist and blue spotted salamander expert.
Friends of Sears Island is hosting this event, which is free and open to the public. Sears Island is on Sears Island Road off Route 1 just east of Searsport. Walk participants should park along the causeway at the end of the road and meet at the island gate by 10am. Please wear footwear and outdoor gear appropriate for hiking and bring water and a snack. No pets are permitted at public programs. In the event of rain, the program will be cancelled. For more information and program updates, visit www.friendsofsearsisland.org, facebook.com/friendsofsearsisland or call 207-975-3878.