Mark your calendar! The University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center (DMC) in Walpole marks its 50th anniversary this year.

To celebrate, the center is offering a full line-up of summer activities, including Wednesday Walking Tours, Science on Tap Seminars, and an open house.

Learn more about the DMC facility, marine science, and the far-reaching impacts of our research at these fun, informative and free public events. Additional event information can be found on dmc.umaine.edu.

Beginning July 1 and running through Aug. 19, join us Wednesday mornings for a walking tour of our waterfront laboratories. The tours will highlight current research projects focusing on lobster ecology and fisheries management, shellfish aquaculture, remote sensing, coastal food webs, and ocean acidification. Tours last approximately 90 minutes.

The Science on Tap Seminars will take place at the Newcastle Publick House on July 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 6-7 p.m. UMaine’s marine scientists will talk about ecological changes in Gulf of Maine, history of aquaculture in the Damariscotta River, robotic explorations of the ocean, and novel marine biological studies going on at the Darling Marine Center.

The first Science On Tap Seminar will be presented by Dr. Bob Steneck on July 8. Where green sea urchins once roamed over a pavement of crustose coralline algae, Jonah crabs now rule supreme in dense kelp forests. When and how this change occurred will be the topic of Steneck’s seminar titled “Some lasting effects of fisheries on Maine’s hidden kelp forests.”

Steneck is a professor of Oceanography, Marine Biology and Marine Policy in the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences and based at the DMC in Walpole. He is a world-renowned ecologist whose research focuses on the structure, function and health of coastal marine ecosystems from the frigid waters of the Gulf of Maine and the Bering Sea to the tropical coral reefs of the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Aug. 8 is the date of our open house. There will be activities for all ages to help you get acquainted with the plants and animals that share our shores and learn about the tools and technology we use in marine research.