As someone who works on stream connectivity and habitat, this is my favorite time of year. As the snow melts (at last!), the streams start flowing again, winding in every direction, under roads, through culverts, all across the state. Each step of the way, they provide critical habitat for fish and other wildlife.
On top of that, 2019 is the Year of the Salmon! If you’re looking for ways to help streams this year, here are some things to check out:
- On May 7, some of our partners are hosting a workshop on “Enhancing Fish Habitat” in Oxford. It will cover the importance of streams, how to cross them with roads in the best way possible, and opportunities for technical assistance with stream crossing projects.
- Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) just began accepting proposals for municipal stream crossing grants. These grants can support public infrastructure improvement projects on municipal roads involving culvert upgrades of stream crossings to improve public safety, minimize impacts to water quality and improve habitat for fish and wildlife. The deadline to apply is June 3, 2019.
- Here at Maine Audubon, we’re hosting writer and expert Catherine Schmitt on May 16 to talk about “The President’s Salmon” and the unique and inspiring history of this iconic fish in Maine. Join us!
- Our Brook Trout Survey has resumed as well. Take a look at the ponds and coastal streams that need to be surveyed and let us know if you’d like to be a volunteer angler this year!
We’re so fortunate to live in a state that is full of clean, flowing water and bountiful habitat. We can all do more to protect it — and it needs all the help it can get. Thank you for all you do!
