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Science
Do we need to worry about wildfires in Maine?
with Andrew Barton
In-Person
Dr. Barton will explore how wildfires work, the history of wildfires in Maine, and whether fire risk is likely to increase in the state as temperatures warm.
March 11, 2026 (Snow Date: March 18, 2026)
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Education Center, Room 107
Andrew (Drew) Barton is a forest and fire ecologist, science writer, and professor of biology at the University of Maine at Farmington.
His research focuses on how forests are responding to changing climate and wildfire in the Southwest USA, northern Mexico, and Maine. Drew is an author of The Changing Nature of the Maine Woods and co-editor of Ecology and Recovery of Old-growth Forests in Eastern North America.
He’s worked for many years with Maine science and environmental groups, including the Science Subcommittee and Emergency Management Working Group of the Maine Climate Council, the science advisory board for Maine’s Ecological Reserve System, the Mt. Blue-Tumbledown Conservation Alliance, and the UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition.
After nearly three decades at UMF, Drew continues to greatly enjoy teaching courses in ecology, conservation, and forests.
Understanding Climate Change and the Sandy River
with Amanda Simoneau
In-Person
This is a quest to understand a dynamic river and its impacts on communities along its 73.3-mile corridor. Come and hear what experts say and what concerns residents.
In February 2025, 50 local and regional partners met to address worsening floods in the Sandy River Watershed. Following major 2023 floods and over 100 events in 230 years—including three recent FEMA disasters—farmers reported erosion and land damage. Professionals cited outdated flood maps, past river modifications, and climate change.
The group called for updated mapping, a geomorphic assessment, and coordinated, large-scale solutions beyond piecemeal fixes. How would this impact citizens, and what are their ideas?
Four forums took place across the Sandy River Watershed. These forums were centered on the community—designed not only to help residents understand the characteristics of the Sandy River, but more importantly, to listen to their stories, concerns, local knowledge, and history.
March 12, 2026
1:00 P.M.
Location: Franklin County's Emergency Operations Center, 1 County Way in Farmington.
Amanda Simoneau, Franklin County Emergency Management Director, will be joined by Sara Bickford, Somerset Emergency Management Agency Director, to describe what impact the flooding has had and mitigation suggestions moving forward.
Maine forests and the Carbon Markets - a new revenue source through trees
with Ted Wright
Hybrid
This presentation by licensed forester Ted Wright will provide information on an innovative new program to ensure annual revenue for forest landowners through the generation of carbon credits from their growing trees.
In short, getting paid to let trees grow. Ted is a consultant for Renoster, a carbon removal supplier. The company is collaborating with owners of Maine working forests to encourage longer tree growth cycles for more market value while earning annual revenue through committed carbon credits. Ted will also discuss how carbon credits are generated, supplied, and traded, and cover integrity issues in the current carbon markets.
See Renoster's announcement here:
https://www.renoster.co/resources/blog/launching-apollo-a-new-era-for-nature
Date: March 31, 2026. Snow Date: April 1, 2026
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Education Center, room 107
Ted Wright has dedicated over 25 years to advancing responsible forestry practices and sustainable management of forest resources in Maine. His deep commitment to working forests and rural economies allows him to connect Maine's woodland owners with carbon finance opportunities.
Ted is the owner of Ted Wright Forest Services https://tedwrightforestservices.com in Brunswick.
Poisons
with Charles Parker
Hybrid
Agatha Christie served as a nurse in World War I. When she turned to mystery writing, she may have used her pharmaceutical knowledge to provide the means of murder in her novels.
The presentation will attempt to communicate Parker's enthusiasm for chemistry generally and for poisons specifically to members of Goldleaf.
A brief analysis of the symptoms of each poison and the presentation of the poison by Christie will be mentioned.
Parker will not provide drinks or snacks :)
Date: 1:00 - 2:30 P.M., April 28, 2026
Location: Education Center, room 107
Chuck Parker taught chemistry in public high schools and as an adjunct for Crowder College, Webb City, and Missouri Southern State University in Joplin until 2017.
He is especially enamored with alkaloids (caffeine is an alkaloid). The more he explored alkaloids and their deleterious effects on people, the more he investigated the use of poisons in mystery novels. Agatha Christie is remarkably accurate with her depictions.
Parker has typically presented subjects concerning Muslim histories, such as the Crusades, the Ottomans, and the roots of Islamic extremism. However, his chemistry background kept crying for equal time.
Talk at Northeast Archaeology Research Center
with Gemma Hudgell
In-Person
Northeast Archaeology Associates is located in Farmington at 382 Fairbanks Road.
It is a privately-owned company that provides a wide range of archaeological services from small-scale survey evaluations and data recovery to its various clients. Come learn about the organization.
We will meet at their location, as they have a number of exhibits they would like to show us.
April 29, 2026
10 am-11:30 am
Dr. Gemma Hudgell Ph.D is the director of the research center.
Farmington Solar Farm II
with Bradley Greenleaf
In-Person
Back by popular demand, this is a talk and tour at the Farmington Solar Farm. We will meet at the York entrance on Route 2, across from Mosher's Seafood.
Date: May 6, 2026
10 am - 11:30 am
Bradley Greenleaf is a senior solar technician with Nextera Energy.