Calling all Sheepscot River enthusiasts! Midcoast Conservancy is hosting their second annual State of the Sheepscot event on Sept. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Whitefield Elementary School Gym. Attendees will learn about the state of the Sheepscot River in regards to Midcoast Conservancy’s work in the watershed, including land conservation, stewardship, and water quality, and how everyone can help the watershed. Whether one lives, works, or recreates in the Sheepscot watershed - this event is for all!

Those at the event will be joined by a special guest, Paul Christman, a marine scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources Bureau of Sea-Run Fisheries who will present on endangered Atlantic salmon in the Sheepscot River. Christman has over 20 years of experience working with Atlantic salmon in Maine and has been a leader in developing the innovative egg planting technique used to plant salmon eggs in the Sheepscot and other Maine salmon rivers.

The event kicks off at 5 p.m. with informational tables on some of Midcoast Conservancy’s work in the Sheepscot watershed. There will be an opportunity to chat with Midcoast Conservancy staff and other members of the community while enjoying refreshments, including pizza generously donated from Sheepscot General, and the signature beverage, “Lamprey Lemonade.”

Participants can get their hands wet with Max Tritt, a fishery biologist with NOAA. Tritt will do a Stream Smart Table simulation, which provides a hands-on visual of the negative impacts undersized road stream crossings have on streams. It’s a great way to learn how appropriately sized crossings allow the stream flow naturally beneath them, keeping the habitat healthier and the infrastructure more climate resilient. This event is kid-friendly too! There will be supplies on site to make seed ‘bombs’ filled with wildflower seeds native to Maine.

The presentation begins at 5:30 with the opportunity to chat more with staff and check out the informational tables afterwards. 

This event is free and open to the public, but attendees are asked to please register on the Midcoast Conservancy website at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events-list/state-of-the-sheepscot. 

For more information, go to www.midcoastconservancy.org or call (207) 389-5150.