 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||
Tree Walk
with Cathy Reynolds
Monday, July 21, 2025 - 4:00-6:00 pm
Bowdoinham, Maine
Contact: Ed Friedman 666-3372
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) is pleased to host amateur naturalist and entomologist Cathy Reynolds who will lead a late afternoon Tree Walk in Bowdoinham on Monday, July 21st at 4:00 pm. Merrymeeting Bay is internationally recognized for its unique tidal freshwater ecosystem and is surrounded by a diversity of habitats including a variety of forest types, fields, agricultural and horticultural landscapes.
While trees dominate in their contribution to forest biomass, much of our local landscapes are fields in varying stages, from actively hayed to somewhere on the spectrum of ecological succession back to forest. Maine forests cover about 90% of the state, a higher percentage of tree growth than any other state in the lower 48. Our woods provide a home to more than 20,000 species of wildlife, are an economic resource that directly employs nearly 23,000 people, generating $1.15 billion in revenues from forest-related recreation and tourism activities as well as the largest and most diverse forest products industry of the states in the Northern Forest region.
Maine woods, once used for shipbuilding and other timber uses, now primarily are harvested for lumber and paper products, used for electrical generation and fuel for home heating. Our forests provide green spaces for homes and communities, trails for all seasons and moderate the effects of climate change through carbon dioxide absorption. And how about that junk mail! Over 57% of all paper consumed in the US was recovered for recycling in 2008.
A new threat to Maine woods, transported from Asia on wooden pallets, crates and spools, the Emerald Ash Borer is a metallic green beetle that has killed 50 million trees since 2002 and has the potential to wipe out all species of ash tree in Maine. Ash is important to Maine for its use in furniture-making, indigenous basket-weaving, sports equipment, tools, and more.
Cathy Reynolds has a special interest in pollinators and has especially studied invasive forest insects. Reynolds is a local bee keeper, and coordinates the livestock area at the popular Common Ground Fair.
Participants should wear sturdy shoes and be cognizant of ticks. The walk will occur rain or shine. For directions and to pre-register; which is necessary; please contact Ed Friedman at 666-3372.FOMB works to protect and improve the Bay through land conservation, education, research and advocacy. Their Summer Outside! series is the warm weather counterpart to the popular Winter Speaker Series. Events are usually free and open to the public. FOMB’s next outing, Insects & Other Natural Wonders on August 5th from 4:30-6:30 pm in Bowdoinham will be led by Kathy Claerr. Please call Kathy at 666-3551to pre-register and for location.
To receive more information about FOMB’s programs call Ed Friedman at 666-3372. The full Summer Outside! schedule is on the web at: www.fomb.org.
Sarah Stapler