Discover a fondness for Maine’s lichens! Join Maine Master Naturalist instructor Jeff Pengel and explore the miniature world of lichens on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. at KELT’s Lilly Pond Community Forest in south Bath. Deceivingly simple and found on tree trunks and branches, bare rock, and exposed soil, lichens will amaze the seasoned and budding naturalist with their hidden complexities. This is a light-rain or shine event and the course framework is geared for adults. Bring a hand lens (and a camera) if you have one and be sure to wear comfortable walking/hiking foot gear. 

Lichens are composite organisms, which means that they exist in a partnership (‘symbiosis’) consisting of a fungus and an alga that form unusual shapes and structures. Common examples include ‘Old Man’s Beard’ typically found hanging on the bark and branches of conifers, and several kinds of Reindeer Lichens (often called “reindeer moss”, though they are not a moss at all!). While these organisms often go unnoticed, they occur in abundance and attendees be able to see many along the trails after a brief introductory presentation. Participants will observe lichens’ subtle characteristics and Pengel will explain several aspects of their natural history.

Jeff Pengel was trained as a botanist and geologist at The University of Akron. He worked briefly as a field geologist. Pengel is a former high school science teacher and taught earth science and biology in an urban Cincinnati Ohio public school. Pengel also worked many seasons as an outdoor educator for Nature's Classroom in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Pengel now volunteers as a naturalist for the Appalachian Mountain Club at many of their facilities. He is also a Maine Master Naturalist instructor and actively volunteers for that program and at many Maine land trusts. Pengel also surveys rare plants for the Native Plant Trust.

This event is free and open to public thanks to the generosity of The Merrymeeting Bay Trust. Registration is required due to the limited class size. Please sign-up by calling KELT at 207-442-8400 or online at https://www.kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events/lichens-walk

Participants will meet in the parking area before entering the preserve. To get to Lilly Pond Community Forest: from downtown Bath, take High Street south and turn left onto Marshall Street, where parking is available at Goddard Park on the left. Then walk south on High Street approximately 500 feet, just past Getchell Street, to preserve entry at the wooden stairs on the right.