2016 Vernal Pool Migration

What a difference a year makes... how many inches of snow did we have on the ground this time last year?? Spring is closing in on us early (thank you El Nino!)  in 2016. Use the comment section below to report sightings relating  to vernal pool migration across the state. Please include the following information:

Location (town name or region)

Date of sighting

Species observed (heard, seen, etc.)

Type of evidence of activity (adults on road, egg masses, spermatophores, etc.)

 

Note: Once you're out surveying, the MAWS VP Protocol can be download under "Quick Links" to the right.

2016 MAWS Winter Conference Poster Session

For the 2016 Winter Conference we are opening a poster session to students, individuals, or small groups. If anyone is interested in submitting an abstract, please complete the form, linked below, and send to Danielle. Also, feel free to pass this along to anyone else that may be interested.

Key points: Poster topics should have a "significant nexus" with wetlands. Abstracts are due by Friday, February 19; and applicants will be notified if they are accepted by Friday, February 26, 2016. The annual meeting is on March 31 this year at Bowdoin College.

Poster Session Flyer and Form

2015 Vernal Pool Migration Reports

It's that time again, folks! Spring has sprung in Maine despite what many may be saying after the cold and snowy latter part of the winter. Use the comment section below to report your sighting and aid others in following vernal pool migration across the state. Please include the following information:

Location (town name or region)

Date of sighting

Species observed (heard, seen, etc.)

Type of evidence of activity (adults on road, egg masses, spermatophores, etc.)

Proposed Revisions of the New England District Compensatory Mitigation Guidance

The Army Corps of Engineers has recently released proposed revisions to the New England District Compensatory Mitigation Guidance. Public comments will be accepted until May 4th, 2015. Paul Minkin and Jay Clement will be on hand at the year's Winter Conference (next week) to discuss the updates, among other items. The Public Notice regarding the proposed changes can be downloaded below.

http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/regulatory/publicnotices/CompMitigationGuidance3Mar2015.pdf

Student Poster Presentations

The Maine Association of Wetland Scientists (MAWS) is looking for student poster presentations  to showcase their research during the MAWS annual meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at Bowdoin College.  This is an excellent opportunity for students to network and present their research projects to a body of natural resource professionals. For more information and to sign-up, download the flyer below.

Student Poster Presentation Flyer

2015 Maine Wetlands Research Stipend

MAWS is pleased to announce it's 2015 wetlands research stipend. Up to $1,000 is being offered to one or two students actively enrolled in a degree program related to wetland science. Stipend candidates must be pursuing a wetlands research project.

For more information:

Stipend Notice

Applications are due by April 3rd, 2015. Questions regarding the research stipend can be directed to Aleita Burman: blburman@gmail.com

Upcoming Workshops and Classes in 2014

Several workshops have recently been posted under the Upcoming Events page for 2014.

In addition, The Eagle Hill Institute is offering 3 week-long courses that may be of interest:

Wetland Identification and Delineation, and Associated Ecology 

June 15 to 21. Taught by Matt Schweisberg and Joe Homer

(Tuition = $575) 

Sedges and Rushes: Identification and Ecology

June 15 to 21. Taught by Anton Reznicek

A Survey of Grasses of Northeastern North America

August 3 to 9. Taught by Dennis Magee

For general information about The Eagle Hill program, go to 

http://www.eaglehill.us/programs/nhs/natural-history-seminars.shtml

2014 Vernal Pool Migration Reports

Vernal pool critter migration is nearly upon us. We've been hearing reports of critter movement in the greater Boston area and it will only be a matter of time before we're all scrambling to get out and count egg masses here in Maine. Similar to last year, please comment on this post as you have reports of activity. Please include the following:

Location (town name or region)

Date of sighting

Species observed (heard, seen, etc.)

Type of evidence of activity (adults on road, egg masses, spermatophores, etc.)

2013 Vernal Pool Activity

The vernal pool season is upon us, I am hearing sporadic reports that critters are beginning to make their way to the pools. To keep everyone in the loop on the progression of critter migration across the state, feel free to use the comment section of this post. Let everyone know what you are seeing and hearing out there!

MAWS Mail List

If you would like to be on our mailing list and receive email updates about the membership, upcoming workshops, and other "happenings" of the organization you can do so by visiting the list page under "Membership". Once there, you can view past posts and request a subscription.