The Sheepscot Valley Conservation Associated is pleased to host a talk on Vernal Pool ecology and conservation, Wednesday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the SVCA office, 624 Sheepscot Road in Newcastle. Phillip deMaynadier, wildlife biologist with Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, will highlight what is unique about vernal pools and the creatures that depend on them for survival, as well as conservation of these special wetlands. This is the fourth program in SVCA’s “Citizen Science Series” and we are excited to be able to share Phillip’s enthusiasm and knowledge about vernal pools.

Phillip deMaynadier has worked as a wildlife biologist for Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for 15 years where he currently serves as Leader of the Reptile-Amphibian-Invertebrate Group. He has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications, and serves on the Graduate Faculty at University of Maine’s Department of Wildlife Ecology.

Some of Phillip’s recent projects include: managing the State’s program for conserving high value vernal pools; researching the effects of road mortality on endangered turtles; developing standards for a national protected area network for rare reptiles and amphibians; coordinating state atlas-ing efforts for butterflies, dragonflies and herpetofauna; and advising landowners and land trusts on management recommendations for rare and endangered species. deMaynadier received his doctorate in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine in 1996 where he studied the effects of forest management practices on amphibians.

Please join us for an engaging evening learning more about vernal pools and their inhabitants. A follow-up trip to look at vernal pools in the field is planned for April, the date to be determined. Please contact the office if you are interested in registering for the field trip or for more information.

For more information, visit www.sheepscot.org or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/sheepscot.