KELT’s staff and Board cordially invite you to join us at our
Annual Meeting & Membership Celebration
When: Tuesday, April 9th. Doors open at 5:30 pm
Where: Maine Maritime Museum’s Long Reach Hall
We’re looking forward to seeing familiar and new faces as we discuss KELT’s accomplishments from the past year and goals for the organization’s future. We’re also excited to kick off our online Auction which showcases experiences throughout the estuary! Our Keynote Speaker Nancy Olmstead will present an engaging lecture on the status of invasive species, followed by short presentations from KELT staff about various ways we are managing invasives on KELT preserves and properties!
The evening’s schedule will be—
5:30 pm: Doors open & refreshments served
6:30 pm: KELT’s Business Meeting presented by Executive Director Becky Kolak and members of the Board of Directors
7:00 pm: Invasive Species in Maine and the Kennebec Estuary featuring
An Overview of the State of Invasive Species in Maine
presented by Nancy Olmstead, The Nature Conservancy
Invasive species are one of the top threats to biodiversity and habitats across the globe. Nancy will discuss the status and management of invasive species in Maine and outline key actions we can take to stop the spread and minimize the impacts.
Nancy Olmstead, The Nature Conservancy.
Nancy assists the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program, an In Lieu Fee /mitigation program administered by TNC to restore, enhance, and conserve wetlands and other protected aquatic habitats. She also assists TNC Maine’s Land Management team, helping to steward TNC’s preserves in Maine through ecological monitoring, management of invasive species, prescribed fire, and other projects.
Nancy has previously worked as an educator and a field scientist. Most recently, she led the state of Maine’s terrestrial and wetland invasive plant program at the Maine Natural Areas Program. She also taught ecology and environmental science labs at Bowdoin College, did marine science on the Chesapeake Bay, led youngsters in the outdoors at Maine Audubon, and helped volunteers monitor lake watersheds with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Nancy was trained in ecology at Cornell University and later received her MS from the Field Naturalist Program at the University of Vermont.
Creative Management of Invasives to Support Vibrant Landscapes in the Kennebec Estuary
presented by KELT staff Emily Pistell, Dillon Mulhern, and Andrew Morgan
KELT staff members will discuss three ongoing projects designed to mitigate the effects of different invasive species on KELT properties. Emily will discuss the newly discovered jumping worms at KELT’s LOCAL Garden. Dillon will present on stilt grass, an invasive plant species that is one of the most destructive currently found in the US. Andrew will discuss Hemlock Wooly Adelgid and the project he has been leading in Thorne Head Preserve to promote the sustainability of the forest and trails.
RSVP by clicking the button below or calling the KELT office at 207-442-8400.
This painting of an Arrowsic marsh by local artist Heather Parker will be given us a door prize to one attendee! Other works depicting regional marshes in different seasons will be available to bid on in our Online Auction, which launches on April 9th!