Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) is pleased to host ecologist Kathy Claerr who will lead a late afternoon walk in Bowdoinham on Tuesday, August 5th from 4:30-6:30pm. Her 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; collectively, a perfect combination for this walk through a mix of terrain.

While trees dominate in their contribution to forest biomass, native insects contribute a dominant slice of forest biodiversity. It is the same for fields and scrub-shrub 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

Non-native invasive insects harm forests through “piercing-sucking”, defoliating, wood boring, and disease-spreading. According to the Maine Forest Service, “An almost invisible war takes place each year between Maine’s forest and insects and diseases. Occasionally, insects or disease gets the upper hand and either forests or people are affected to the point where action must take place.”

Bowdoinham and other midcoast residents are among those experiencing health issues the past few years due to the browntail moth invasion. In addition to severe rashes and respiratory issues in humans, browntail causes major tree defoliation and threatens coastal property values. It is a parasite of hardwoods such as apple and oak.

A new threat to Maine transported from Asia on wooden pallets, crates and spools, the Emerald Ash Borer is a metallic green beetle that has killed 50 million trees since 2002 and has the potential to wipe out all species of ash tree in Maine. Ash is important to Maine for its use in furniture-making, indigenous basket-weaving, sports equipment, tools, and more. Maine is also seeing a resurgence of spruce bud worm which has dramatically affected Maine lumber products in the past.

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 Kathy Claerr at 666-3551.

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 20th from 4:30-7:00 pm in Bowdoinham. Please call Ed Friedman at 666-3372 to pre-register and for location.

To receive more information about FOMB’s programs call Ed Friedman at 666-3372. The full Summer Outside! schedule is on the web at: www.fomb.org.