Join Maine Master Naturalist Mary Harding and delve into the enchanting world of lichens.

Mary Harding completed the Maine Master Naturalist program in 2022 which was held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. After completing the program, she decided to take a closer look at lichen and continued an independent study of the subject as well as taking two courses at the Eagle Hill Institute in Steuben, Maine.  As a Maine Master Naturalist she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for the topic with community groups and as a Naturalist Volunteer with the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Discover the hidden world of lichens—nature’s remarkable symbiotic partnerships—where fungi and algae join forces to survive in some of the harshest environments on Earth, and in familiar places nearby. This lecture unveils their surprising roles in ecosystems, from creating soil to acting as bio-indicators of air quality.  Perhaps you think a lecture about lichen might be a bit dull, but people who have been exposed to the subject say their time in nature has been transformative after learning more.  Mary’s talk is both informative, and insightful, with bits of humor.  Your walks where lichen grows will never be the same!