Salt Marshes: Maine’s Dynamic Coastal Communities – Webinar

Where land and sea meet, one of Maine’s most productive and resilient ecosystems thrives. Join Maine Audubon’s Native Plants Program for an exploration of Maine’s salt marshes and the remarkable plant communities that have adapted to life between the tides. These coastal habitats provide critical benefits, from buffering storm surge and improving water quality to supporting fish, birds, pollinators, and countless other species.

Participants will learn how salt marshes are structured, the environmental forces that shape them, and the native plants that define different zones across the landscape. We’ll explore the ecological relationships between marsh plants and wildlife, examine the role of salt marshes in coastal resilience, and discuss how these communities are responding to sea-level rise and other environmental changes.

Through photographs and examples from across Maine’s coast, this webinar will reveal the beauty, complexity, and ecological importance of these often-overlooked habitats. Whether you’re a gardener, birder, naturalist, or coastal resident, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for one of Maine’s most valuable natural communities.

About the Natural Communities Series

Every landscape tells a story. Join Maine Audubon’s Native Plants Program for an exploration of Maine’s diverse natural communities and the seasonal changes that shape them throughout the year. Through engaging online presentations, participants will discover how native plants, wildlife, soils, and environmental conditions interact to create the habitats that define Maine’s landscapes.

In September, we’ll explore the ecology of Maine salt marshes, examining how these productive coastal ecosystems support wildlife, protect shorelines, and adapt to changing tides. October’s program focuses on meadows and grasslands, highlighting the plants, pollinators, and birds that depend upon these increasingly rare open habitats. In November, we’ll step back to examine how different natural communities transition into the colder months, exploring the oaks and other keystone species that provide beauty and ecological value throughout fall and winter.

Whether you’re a gardener, naturalist, land steward, or simply curious about Maine’s ecosystems, this series will deepen your understanding of the natural patterns that shape our landscapes and inspire new ways to observe the world around you.

Maine Audubon strives to provide inclusive and accessible programs for all members of the community. If you require accommodations to participate in this program, please email events@maineaudubon.org. Maine Audubon can best meet the needs of requests submitted at least seven days before the event start date.

This program will be recorded and made available to registrants.