THOMASTON — Summer and beach time is almost here, and the Thomaston Public Library will present a Chewonki Foundation hands-on exploration of tidal pools on Saturday, June 17, at 11 a.m., co-sponsored by the Cushing Public Library. The program is free and open to all children and adults.

With an interactive traveling display, participants will dip their hands into the three zones of Maine’s rocky intertidal ecosystem, touch some of the ocean’s most spectacular species and learn which can endure the waves, tides and temperature changes of the rocky coast.

A tidal pool is formed in a depression along the coastal shoreline, filled with seawater that is trapped as the tide recedes. Their size varies but all are packed with sturdy sea life such as snails, barnacles, mussels, anemones, sea stars, crustaceans, sea weed and small fish. Washed by the waves, fresh nutrients nourish the pool’s intricate food chain.

Chewonki’s traveling model recreates a tidal pool and encourages the pleasure of experiential learning as well as providing guidelines for exploration at the beach.

For further information, call Wendy Roberts at 691-0833 or email wrobertsmaine63@gmail.com.