The Center for Wildlife Studies’ Wild Maine series, in partnership with the Camden Public Library, is set to continue with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, by conservation biologist and herpetologist Dr. Matthew Chatfield.

Chatfield will discuss the natural history of wood turtles and some of the approaches that he and his colleagues are using to study and conserve the species.

This hybrid event will take place in person in the Picker Room at the 55 Main St. library, as well as virtually on Zoom. To find the Zoom registration link, visit librarycamden.org.

The wood turtle is an iconic species of the great North Maine Woods. Wood turtles are also widely known for their intelligence and unusual life history. Although declining throughout most of their range in the eastern U.S., Maine is considered a stronghold for this species, according to a news release from Julia Sagaser, programs director at the library.

Chatfield is a Center for Wildlife Studies instructor and assistant professor of evolution and eco-health with the University of Maine. His work focuses on the population ecology of endangered wood turtle populations and the impacts of introduced pathogens on amphibians.

He works with both undergraduate and graduate students as well as a variety of collaborators from state agencies to integrate field-based science and a coordinated conservation and restoration framework to address basic and applied problems in conservation biology. The majority of his recent work takes place in Maine, filling critical knowledge gaps to manage and conserve threatened species.

The Center for Wildlife Studies aims to provide accessible environmental education worldwide and promote wildlife conservation through science. Learn more at centerforwildlifestudies.org.

 

 

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