Join Georges River Land Trust and biologist John Tipping for a hands-on exploration of what's living in the St. George River, Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., at Appleton Preserve. John Tipping is a biologist and taxonomist with more than 25 years of experience identifying aquatic insects and macroinvertebrates. 

The St. George River is approximately 57 miles long, flowing from Lake St. George and Frye Mountain region until it empties into Muscongus Bay. The river serves as habitat and sources of food for many different types of organisms during their lives, according to the Land Trust, in a news release.

"Along with all of the fish, the river is home to a unique blend of certain aquatic insect, crustacean, mollusk, and plant species; as well as many exciting and charismatic reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals which rely on the river for sources of water and food," said GRLT. "The health of the river and the organisms that live in it depend on good water quality and aquatic habitat conditions. In order to maintain or improve water quality and habitat conditions, these resources need to be assessed, managed, and protected."

This workshop is a citizen-science oriented program for all ages, focused on macroinvertebrate ecology and insect identification. It will involve dip net collection and a general analysis in the field of the river water quality based on the macroinvertebrates collected. The group will identify macroinvertebrates to the family level using insect keys and talk about macroinvertebrate ecology in general. 

GRLT also intends to place rock baskets in the river this summer and have another event with Tipping later this summer or early fall retrieving the rock baskets.

Directions: The trailhead for Appleton Preserve is located at 265 Camden Rd in Appleton. Parking is available in the lot – please be sure not to block the neighbor’s driveway. 

This program is free and open to all ages. Please register at georgesriver.ogr/events.

Georges River Land Trust has been conserving and caring for the St. George River watershed since 1987. The land trust has conserved over 5,400 acres of forest, farm, and shoreline, and provides over 80 miles of public trails in 19 towns from Cushing to Liberty. This conservation work is supported by over 1,000 community members. Visit georgesriver.org to join the community and learn more.