June 5-6th:

Join the Smithereen Farm team for early-morning harvest and drying of native seaweeds! Bring a wetsuit if you have one. Low tide is just after dawn, so early birds are a must if you want to join in. No charge for these two days. People from aways are welcome to book a campsite on HipCamp to be close to the action.

June 7th:

Seaweed harvesting with Kacie Loparto, naturalist walk with Jordan Chalfert of Naturalist’s Notebook and the Maine Natural History Observatory, round table discussion at Reversing Hall with Emily Farr of Manomet, seaweed cuisine prepared by chef Evan Mallett of Black Trumpet.

There will be a two hour intertidal excursion, exploring the diversity of seaweed in this region. Over 300 species of macroalgae can be found on the coast of Maine. Participants will learn the names and identifying characters of common ones, and there will be a discussion of intertidal ecology: how these species interact and create marine communities. Bring a hand lens if you have one!

Jordan Chalfant is a field naturalist and board member at Maine Natural History Observatory. She and MNHO director, Glen Mittelhauser, and Dr. Amanda Savoie of the Canadian Museum of Nature are working on a field guide to the seaweeds of Maine. Jordan’s day job is managing The Naturalist’s Notebook, a nature and science exploratorium and bookstore in Seal Harbor on Mount Desert Island.