Join us for a virtual program to learn about the ecology and natural history of the largest fish migration in Greater Portland and fish migrations throughout Maine. In the ocean, alewife provide food for predators from tuna to seals to cod, and are harvested for use as lobster bait. Each spring adult alewife leave the ocean to swim upstream to their natal lakes, spawn, and head back to sea in a migratory cycle of renewal that supports freshwater fish, waterfowl, mink, otter and eagles.

The presentation will be given by Karen Wilson, Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Southern Maine. Her research includes years of tracking the largest fish migration from Casco Bay up the Presumpscot River, through Mill Brook Preserve in Westbrook to spawn in Highland Lake. Professor Wilson will share her findings, while focusing on the ecology and natural history of this rugged little fish. This will be a one-hour slideshow presentation with Q&A.