Reza Jalali. (Photo courtesy Camden Public Library)
The Camden Public Library will be partnering with Connecting Across Communities: An Immigrant Support Network to present a new series of programs that will explore the immigrant experience in Maine. The first online talk in the series will be on Tuesday, April 27, at 6 p.m., with Reza Jalali, executive director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center.
Jalali’s presentation will explore the 400-year history of immigration to Maine, with a focus on the changing face of Maine as a result of recent immigrants. To request a Zoom link to attend, email jpierce@librarycamden.org.
Seagrass Meadow. (Photo by Katie DuBois)
Marine ecologist Katie DuBois will lead a presentation titled “Saving Maine’s Seagrass Meadows” Tuesday, April 20 at 12 p.m., in an online webinar hosted by Merryspring Nature Center.
Historically, over 35,000 acres of seagrass meadows lined the Maine coastline. These marine meadows not only boost the health of coastal ecosystems but also have enormous positive impacts on Maine fisheries. Yet, Maine seagrass meadows have been disappearing for the last several decades. In this program, DuBois will speak about why seagrasses are important, what is causing the decline of Maine seagrasses, and possible ways to restore this valuable ecosystem.
Landis Hudson. (Photo courtesy Belfast Free Library)
Thursday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m., the Belfast Free Library and Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition will co-host a virtual program on Zoom titled “Running Silver: What it Takes to Restore River Health” with Landis Hudson.
To register for this presentation please go to belfastlibrary.org/virtual-programs and follow the link.
Landis Hudson is CEO of Maine Rivers, a statewide advocacy organization with a mission to protect, restore and enhance the ecological health of Maine’s river systems. She will talk about the relationship between rivers and the Gulf of Maine, and discuss how dam removals are shaping the future of river restoration efforts in Maine.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - 3:00pm to 6:30pm
The Waldo County Extension Association will offer two virtual presentations about rural living in Maine, Tuesday, April 13, from 3 – 6:30 p.m. The event is in lieu of the annual Rural Living Day canceled this year due to the pandemic.
“Rural Living Night 2021” opens with “Grandmother’s Gift Skomon (corn)” with Nibezun board member Shiwa Noh, who will speak about what it means to plant the original Wabanaki varieties of corn to connect to the ancestors, bring healing through the ceremonies, bring sovereignty and rediscover the ancestral way of preparing the corn.
Tom Schmeelk, a forest entomologist with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, will discuss the impacts of the browntail moth in Maine, its history and biology, the current situation and management and mitigation strategies.
(Photo courtesy Belfast Climate Crisis Committee)
In early February 2021 Summit Gas announced a $90 million extension of a gas pipeline along Maine’s Midcoast, from Belfast to Thomaston. Summit predicted that this would greatly reduce greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions. On March 2, Summit withdrew this plan due to community opposition. What now?
Join Belfast Climate Crisis Committee and Belfast Free Library for a Zoom presentation on Monday, March 29, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m., as they seek answers.
“The heating of our world (the climate crisis) is largely caused by the burning of fossil fuels,” said the Climate Committee, in a news release. “The crisis requires us to respond wisely in deciding what energy sources we use in our communities. How will we reduce our use of GHG – producing fuels while caring for our citizens? What important local and regional decisions must we make to meet the goals of our Maine Climate Action Plan?”