Learn About the History of Farming on Georgetown’s Marshes and Plans for Restoring the Marshes for the Future
Georgetown marsh
When: Tuesday, August 1st at 6:30pm
Where: Georgetown Historical Society in Georgetown
This free program is focused on the history of marsh management, how that translates to the way marshes look today, and how restoration work today takes that history into account.
The program is co-hosted by the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT), Georgetown Historical Society and Georgetown Conservation Commission and features presenters Jack Witham and Geoff Wilson, who have expertise in marsh history and restoration.
Registration is appreciated, using the Google Form below, to help with program planning.
Changes that were made to marshes for agriculture in the 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900s are causing problems for marshes today, particularly as sea level is higher now than it was when people were farming on the marshes. KELT, the Town of Georgetown, and other partners are currently doing a restoration project at Georgetown’s Swett Marsh.
The talk will feature three presenters:
Jack Witham will focus on the history of Georgetown’s marshes. Mr. Witham is the retired director of the Holt Research Forest in Arrowsic and has spent more than 35 years studying the local forest and marsh systems.
Geoff Wilson will focus on the way historical agriculture on the marshes is impacting marshes today and how to restore impacted marshes. Mr. Wilson has extensive expertise in salt marsh restoration, is a leader in agricultural history-focused marsh restoration, and has worked on projects throughout the northeast. He developed the plans for the restoration work at Swett Marsh.
KELT’s Project Director, Ruth Indrick, will share details about the restoration work that is planned at Swett Marsh. Ms. Indrick manages KELT’s restoration and community science programs.
We hope you can join us for the program!
Participants of the talk are also invited to attend a walk on Saturday, 8/5 at Swett Marsh with KELT Project Director, Ruth Indrick, to see the way the historical agriculture is reflected in the marsh and view where restoration work will happen at the marsh over the next few years.
