The Wrack

Keen observers of nature volunteer to track selected plants and animals through the seasons — and years — looking for signs of climate change.

In October, representatives from 10 southern Maine beach communities gathered to share their experiences preparing for coastal storms, particularly in the context of rising seas. We report some of what we heard during the half-day program.

Summing up the year for Maine's part in the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative.

New England's four research reserves are positioning themselves as Sentinel Sites through meticulous long-term environmental monitoring.

The reserve manages early-succession forest habitat for New England cottontails and other at-risk species. In 2017, the reserve began accepting captive-reared rabbits to revitalize the local subpopulation.

200 + plants later it just may be working

At a 4-day technician training in South Carolina, I gained a new appreciation for all the effort needed to collect consistent water quality and meteorological data across the country.

Capping off a stormy winter and spring, beach access is lost and regained.

Terms like "watershed" and "estuary" are part of our daily lexicon, but have had no equivalents in American Sign Language. To encourage STEM learning in New Englands deaf community, we and our partners are introducing new terms and teaching tools.

Environmental DNA could dramatically change the way reserve scientists survey streams, rivers, and estuaries for finfish and crustaceans.