What You Should Know About the Threat of Aquatic Invaders in Maine – Speaker: Roberta Hill

What makes an organism invasive? What threats do invasive
organisms pose to Maine’s native ecosystems? How do
invasive aquatic species impact humans? What are the
drivers behind introduction of invaders to Maine and the
vectors exacerbating their spread within the state? What
are some of the invasive species we are most concerned
about here in Maine? What is Maine doing to address these
concerns? Importantly, what can WE all do to help? In her
talk, Roberta Hill, Invasive Species Program Director for
Lake Stewards of Maine, will answer all of these questions
and more
Roberta is an aquatic ecologist and environmental educator who has been active in the field of lake protection and community outreach in Maine for thirty years and instrumental in the creation and development of some of Maine’s most successful and long-standing lake education programs. Currently the Invasive Species Program Director for Lake Stewards of Maine, Roberta is the originator and coordinator of LSM’s internationally recognized Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) program, through which over 5,000 individuals (volunteers, professionals, agency personnel, students, teachers and others) have now been trained to screen Maine waterbodies for the presence of invasive aquatic plants and animals. Roberta is the principal author of Maine Field Guide to Invasive Aquatic Plants, co-author of Citizens’ Guide to Invasive Aquatic Plant Management, and principal content developer for Maine Field Guide to Aquatic Phenomena (which will be available both online and as a downloadable smartphone application this July).

ALL WHO ATTEND ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

Photo: Blossom of White Floating Heart, an aquatic invasive.
Photo Credit – Lake Stewards of Maine.