It was a sunny spring day in Walpole when the Juniper Hill School of Alna visited the University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center (DMC) for a day-long exploration of the Damariscotta River and its habitats. Aboard the DMC’s research vessel, the students collected plankton (microscopic plants and animals) and watched nesting eagles and sunning seals. Back on shore, they cast a seine net with Dr. Damian Brady and caught mummichogs, crangon shrimp and green crabs. In the classroom, they examined their catch (copepods, barnacle larvae and hydromedusae) under microscopes.

The Juniper Hill School was one of over 40 groups to participate programming provided by DMC K-12 Education over the past two months. Other local school, including South Bristol Elementary School, Bristol Consolidated School, Great Salt Bay Community School, and Damariscotta Montessori School, also visited the DMC this spring for research cruises, laboratory tours, shore visits, and classroom investigations.

Science explorations continue this summer for marine enthusiasts of all ages. Weekly walking tours of the DMC’s waterfront campus will take place Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., beginning July 2. These 90-minute tours will be lead by an undergraduate student in the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences. The tours will highlight the research being conducted by UMaine faculty and students on the Damariscotta River Estuary, the Gulf of Maine, and the world’s oceans.

Four nature walks are also scheduled for this summer. Explore the DMC trails and coastline with the DMC Education Coordinator, Lili Pugh. Each walk will be a little different, but all will focus on the flora and fauna found on the Darling property. A little human history will be thrown in, too. On July 3 and 17 we will meet at 9 a.m. for a morning walk. On August 7 and 21 we will meet a 5:30 p.m. for an after work walk. Bring a picnic supper in your backpack to enjoy along the river! Nature walks generally last two hours. All ages are welcome, though young children may find the trails and terrain challenging.

DMC tours and nature walks are free and open to the public. Please preregister for the nature walks. If you have any questions, call Lisa Ouellette at 207-563-3146 for more information.

For more information about K-12 programming contact Lili Pugh, K-12 Education Coordinator at anneliese.pugh@maine.edu or 207-563-8135, or visit www.dmc.maine.edu/k12.html. Booking for fall programs is in process. Any school group, whether public, private or home-school, is welcome to visit.

The Darling Marine Center is the marine laboratory of the University of Maine.