University of New England

Public invited to May 3rd student presentation on how to reduce flooding and restore salt marsh wetlands in Ocean Park

The public is invited to a presentation by University of New England students on alleviating localized flooding and restoring local salt marsh wetlands at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at Porter Hall (54 Temple Ave.) in Ocean Park, Old Orchard Beach.

Presenters for the program, titled “Your Backyard: Localized Flooding and the Ocean Park Salt Marshes,” will also share information about local hydrology (water systems and flow), reducing the presence of invasive plant species and attracting wildlife to the local marshes.
 
UNE students from the fall semester Wetland Conservation course and the spring semester Wetland Restoration course, both taught by Pamela Morgan, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental studies and a salt-water marsh restoration expert, have been working with professional consultants, town officials and citizens of Ocean Park to help restore a series of salt marshes in the area.
 
The students did field studies in late March, surveying and collecting plant data to assist in the development of a visual system model that would demonstrate how a newly installed tide gate should affect the flooding of the marshes and the plant communities. They worked with Dr. Ray Konisky of the Wells Reserve on part of this project.
 
The students met with concerned Ocean Park residents earlier this spring and intend to develop a monitoring plan to be used by citizen volunteers and UNE students in the future to see how the marshes are doing.

(Press release issued April 25, 2006)