Creating a Winter Wildlife Sanctuary

When the cold weather hits, we Mainers make the best neighbors! We shovel each other’s driveways, share bread and toilet paper, and generally support one another. But what about our non-human neighbors? After all, winter is a critical season for the survival of wildlife. Join Dr. Katie Burns, an ecologist and science communicator, to learn how to create a sanctuary for overwintering critters (such as bees, butterflies, birds, and frogs) during your fall garden cleanup. Katie will explain how to support local, native wildlife through simple conservation actions during a season when resources are scarce – right in your own backyard! About the Speaker: Dr. Katie Burns is an ecologist and science communicator based in Midcoast Maine. She has worked in the fields of ecology and conservation for over 13 years, focusing mainly on native insect pollinators. In 2021, she completed her PhD on the contributions and conservation of insect pollinators in Ireland. She is deeply passionate about introducing folks to the miniature worlds that surround us, but so often go unnoticed! Topsham Public Library offers plenty of convenient parking, with an accessible entrance and event room. We hope you will join us! Registration is helpful so that we can plan accordingly. This is a public event – parts of the event may be recorded and photographed. This talk is part of our Speaker Series meant to engage and educate the community about the natural world where we live. These talks encourage participants to better understand our connection to the land and the place we call home. We are excited to host these talks in collaboration with the Topsham Public Library. Thank you to Kennebec Savings Bank for sponsoring this event, and the entire fall speaker series!