Nationwide Audubon Effort Funds Volunteer-powered
Conservation Projects at Maine's Largest Saltwater Marsh

Maine Audubon is recruiting volunteers to assist three wildlife conservation projects at Scarborough Marsh, the largest saltwater marsh in Maine, on five Saturdays and one Sunday this summer, fall, and next spring. The work is part of TogetherGreen Volunteer Days, a nationwide effort Audubon launched last fall, with funding from Toyota.

As part of the project, more than 9,000 volunteers nationwide have, to date, donated more than 43,000 hours of time to environmental projects connecting people with ways to make a difference for conservation in their local communities. By building stronger alliances with other local organizations, schools, and businesses, Audubon hopes to attract new and diverse volunteers.

Through next April, TogetherGreen volunteers in Maine will participate during six Saturdays in three conservation activities Maine Audubon is coordinating at Scarborough Marsh: two marsh clean-up days, two marsh-wide bird survey days, and two data-collection days for a state database that tracks an invasive reed.

The amazing abundance and diversity of birds at Scarborough Marsh has made it one of Maine's first Important Bird Areas, part of a global effort to identify and conserve areas vital to bird populations.

Preregistration is required for TogetherGreen Volunteer Days. Volunteers should call or visit Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center at (207) 883-5100, or send an e-mail to smac@maineaudubon.org .

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center is open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., every day of the week, from Memorial Day-Labor Day, and the first two weekends in September. It's easy to find: from U.S. Route One in Scarborough, turn east onto Pine Point Road (also marked as Route 9 West) and the center is .8 mile on the left.

TogetherGreen Volunteer Days dates in Maine are:

· Bird Surveys$Saturday, July 25 and Saturday, August 22. Both days: 7 a.m.-about noon (end times depend on length of route). Timed to catch the beginning of shorebird migration, the surveys assign groups of monitors to different areas of the marsh. Both mornings will start with a brief introduction to the marsh and the survey methods, including a presentation on "Bird Counting 101." Depending on the assignment, surveys may be done on foot, by car, or from a canoe (provided at the marsh or bring your own). Beginning birders welcome! Experienced monitors will lead each group.

Pre-registration required. Call (207) 883-5100, e-mail smac@maineaudubon.org , or visit Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center on Route 9/Pine Point Road, Scarborough.

· Phragmites Monitoring$Sunday, August 2, 1-4 p.m. (training), and Saturday, August 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (survey); for those who cannot attend, some alternative dates are possible. Volunteers will be trained to use GPS units and surveying techniques to monitor selected areas of Scarborough Marsh for an invasive reed, Phragmites australis. They will find, measure, and map the reeds to collect data for a GIS database. No experience is necessary to volunteer.

Pre-registration required. Call (207) 883-5100, e-mail smac@maineaudubon.org , or visit Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center on Route 9/Pine Point Road, Scarborough.

· Marsh Clean-up$Saturday, October 10 and Saturday, April 24, from 9 a .m.-noon. Sadly, people cause trash to accumulate in the marsh$and it's not good for wildlife. That's why people also need to get it out of there. Please help! When you see all those sacks of trash picked up, piled up, and ready to be disposed of properly, it's a guarantee you'll feel good about your work.

Pre-registration required. Call (207) 883-5100, e-mail smac@maineaudubon.org, or visit Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center on Route 9/Pine Point Road, Scarborough.


TogetherGreen Volunteer Days is in addition to Maine Audubon's ongoing programs engaging citizen-science volunteers who help monitor the status of Maine's loons, owls, and amphibians.

Visit www.maineaudubon.org for additional information about TogetherGreen Volunteers Days.