Bath, Maine - The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) invites the public to join staff member, Chris Cabot, to learn and practice using GPS on Saturday, April 13 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Participants will have an indoor orientation and then venture to Thorne Head Preserve in Bath for infield application of GPS devices and skills.
GPS or Global Positioning System is a satellite navigation system accessible to the public through GPS devices. It is a popular tool for course-plotting and map making.
At Thorne Head Preserve, participants will hone skills on GPS units by plotting and tracking the preserve's springtime vernal pools (seasonal, fish-free pools of water that provide valuable habitat for a variety of plants and wildlife). This type of data has not been collected at the preserve in the past and is significant habitat resource information.
Participants will be joined in the field by Cabot and additional experienced GPS users to optimize the novice to seasoned user ratio. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and one-on-one help to become GPS savvy!
This event is free and open to public, but the course framework is geared for adult participants. Registration is required due to the limited class size by April 8. Please contact Becky Kolak at 442-8400 or bkolak@kennebecestuary.org to sign-up. Participants are encouraged to bring their own GPS units; however, a limited supply of devices will be available for loan. This is a rain or shine event.
KELT is offering two other stewardship workshops in spring. Visit www.kennebecestuary.org for details
and registration information.
Saturday, May 11, Chainsaw Training for Women: Women are invited to join a chainsaw use and maintenance course lead by veteran wood cutter and part time logger, John Cullen.
Saturday, June 8, Botany & Habitat Management: State ecologist, Andrew Cutko, will lead motivated property owners to identify the good, bad, and interesting plants on the land.
Chris Cabot, who has a master's degree in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England, has worked in the environmental field since 2005. He has used GPS and GIS technology extensively for his graduate research on forest communities and for various non-profits and state government agencies. He currently is Farmland Protection Specialist for KELT and the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and is the GIS coordinator for both organizations. He is also a member of the Maine Association of Wetland Scientists.
The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust is a membership supported organization dedicated to protecting the land, water and wildlife of the Kennebec Estuary. It holds easements on 2,000+ acres of private land and maintains eight preserves for public enjoyment. FMI contact www.kennebecestuary.org or call (207) 442-8400.
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