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Insects and Other Natural Wonders
with Kathy ClaerrMonday, August 3, 2026: 4:00-6:00 pm
Brunswick, Mainecall Ed Friedman at 666-3372 to pre-register and for location
Ash Borer
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) is pleased to host ecologist Kathy Claerr who will lead a late afternoon walk in Brunswick on Monday, August 3rd from 4:00-6:00pm. Kathy’s topic is Insects & Other Natural Wonders. 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; and sand plains, the latter of which will be the focus of this outing.
While trees dominate in their contribution to forest biomass, native insects contribute a dominant slice of forest biodiversity. It is the same for fields, scrub-shrub, sand plain or pine barren habitats. Insects act as pollinators and seed spreaders, even in ponds! They aid in wood and forest floor decomposition, recycling nutrients critical to the health of forests and, they eat and are eaten, by each other and by species as diverse as reptiles, amphibians, mammals, fish and birds. Unfortunately we appear in the midst of a major global insect decline (75% in Germany) likely to dramatically affect our ecosystem integrity as well as commercial agriculture and the forest products industry
Kathy Claerr Please join us for a walk and a wide-ranging talk at an ecologically interesting property. This outwash sand plain will offer opportunities to talk about a lot of natural history, from geology to biology. We’ll take a serendipitous approach, talking about natural phenomena we discover, with a likely emphasis on insects. The pace will be leisurely because there will be a lot to find at every step of the way. If you have a sweep net or small plastic jar for viewing, bring it! If you have binoculars and know how to use them, they could be useful. It could be hot, so a hat and a water bottle in your pack are advised, as well as repellents for biting ticks and flies.
Kathy holds a BS in Wildlife Biology and an MS in General Biology and has had an affinity for the outdoors and natural history all her life. She currently volunteers as a naturalist with the Appalachian Mountain Club, and as technician in the Maine State Museum insect collection.
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 will be a combination of Six River Farm Tour, FOMB Annual Meeting and Potluck Supper on August 19th from 4:30-7:00 pm in Bowdoinham. Please call Ed Friedman at 666-3372 to pre-register and for location.
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 will be a combination of Six River Farm Tour, FOMB Annual Meeting and Potluck Supper on August 19th from 4:30-7:00 pm in Bowdoinham. Please call Ed Friedman at 666-3372 to pre-register and for location.
Sarah Stapler