Discover the important link between fish and the temperature of their stream habitats! The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) is excited to welcome Kirstin Underwood, a biologist at the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, to speak about the relationship between healthy freshwater fish populations and water temperature on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Maine's most iconic fish species, including the Eastern brook trout and Atlantic salmon, cannot survive water temperatures above a certain threshold (70-80 degrees Fahrenheit). Increases in water temperature due to climate change are expected to have dramatic effects on where these species can live. Join KELT to dig into the data and understand how we can better protect the fish species we know and adore. Participants are welcomed and encouraged to ask questions during the Q&A portion of the lecture.

The virtual evening lecture will also provide insights into the Maine Water Temperature Working Group and Interagency Monitoring Effort (MWTWG), which was established in 2014 in response to a growing need to identify and protect streams with the ability to stay cool as air temperatures rise due to climate change.

Registration is free and required in order to receive the Zoom link for the presentation. The Zoom link will be sent out to registrants upon registration. For more information and to sign-up, visit KELT’s website at www.kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events or call (207) 442-8400.

Kirstin Underwood is a fish and wildlife biologist with the Gulf of Maine Coastal Program in Falmouth, ME. She grew up in rural Maine and was excited to return to her home state after conducting research on Pacific salmon populations for 3.5 years on the West Coast. Kirstin coordinates MWTWG activities collaboratively with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and works with partners to assess, monitor, and restore fish habitat in Maine streams.