Discover the tiny and impressive organisms that can be found in the billions floating in our coastal waters! Join experts from the Bigelow Laboratory and the Maine Department of Marine Resources as they share their knowledge of these microscopic plants with huge impact on harvested shellfish, food webs in the Gulf of Maine, and life on our planet. The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust and the Midcoast Conservancy are hosting this free event at the Bath Freight Shed on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Jelena Godrijan, a scientist at Bigelow Laboratory, will introduce the wonders of phytoplankton, sharing information on their types, impacts, and distribution in the Gulf of Maine and across the globe. Bryant Lewis, from the Maine Department of Marine Resources, will introduce the plankton species that produce toxins, causing red tide events that can make shellfish unsafe to eat. He will share information about when and where these species appear in the Gulf of Maine and how the state tracks these species to protect public health.

The Bath Freight Shed is located at 27 Commercial Street in Bath. Parking is available along the street or in the lot to the south of the building. Preregistration for the lecture is not required, but it is appreciated for help with program planning. For more information or to sign-up, visit https://www.kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events/2019-phytoplankton-lecture or call (207) 442-8400.

This talk is the third in the “Maine Creatures Great & Small: Four Organisms Important to Our State’s Aquatic Habitats” series co-hosted by KELT and the Midcoast Conservancy this summer. Make sure to join us on September 18 for the final talk focusing on the American eel. For more information, visit www.kennebecestuary.org or call 207-442-8400.

KELT hosts a citizen science phytoplankton sampling program in support the Maine Department of Marine Resources’ harmful algal bloom monitoring program. In the spring, summer, and fall, volunteers sample coastal waters for the microscopic algae that cause problems like red tide. To learn more and join the phytoplankton monitoring crew, contact Project Coordinator, Ruth Indrick at rindrick@kennebecestuary.org or call 207-442-8400.