FRIENDS OF SCARBOROUGH MARSH
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conservation Project news

Volunteers Study Marsh Health

1/10/2022

 
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Scarborough Marsh is the largest salt marsh area in Maine. How is our cherished marsh doing? What can we say about its health and its future? These are questions that volunteers Greg Bither, Don Salvatore, Sue Williams and Betsy Barrett are helping to answer. Every two weeks they brave the mud, weather, slippery rocks, and road traffic of our marsh to gather data on its health. 
 
The volunteers are part of the Maine DEP’s Volunteer River Monitoring Program (VRMP), which is a network of like-minded individuals throughout Maine who dedicate their time to gathering data on our rivers and streams. The statistics become part of the DEP’s database. In turn, the DEP looks at trends throughout the state, critically analyzes water body health, and makes recommendations about waterways that are in jeopardy and which need additional resources to ameliorate conditions.
 
Every two weeks the volunteers, who are under the auspices of the Friends of Scarborough Marsh, visit eight rivers or streams which are tributaries to the marsh. They gather data on water temperature, bacteria content, conductivity (a measure of salinity as well as purity), and dissolved oxygen. They also make observations of water clarity, depth of flow, odor, turbidity, and a host of other measures. These indicators form a baseline for the health of the marsh. As time goes by, monitoring changes in these characteristics and looking for abnormalities in their numbers provides valuable information that will help in making decisions about future actions.
 
For now, many signs are positive. There are a few warning signs such as abnormally high bacterial contents in some tributaries, which have been previously identified and studied. However, the marsh is generally healthy, and most of the waterways are not in a dangerous category. Changes over time will best guide any future needs, and the efforts of this group will be sure to provide red flags when appropriate.
 
The volunteers are looking forward to a great year in 2023. They could use some help! If you are interested in spending a morning every two weeks or so in the marsh, please email Greg at:
greg.bither@gmail.com
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Photo: Greg Bither  Board member and Volunteer Don Salvatore working at Millbrook site above
Photo: Greg Bither, Betsy Barrett and Sue Williams working on Black Point Road site top photo

See our final report for 2022 under our Projects Section
​Links to DEP research site:
Link to maps: maine.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/0ca4fbd9c7584fbd9c2c56ef5413a915
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Link to VRMP data: www.maine.gov/dep/water/monitoring/rivers_and_streams/vrmp/reports.html

Normandeau Final Phragmites Report

10/30/2020

 
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In 2019 FOSM worked with partners to develop a strategy and secure funding for implementing the report recommendations. Learn more about fighting Phragmites, and what the results of months of testing have provided us by clicking the file below! Thank you to Normandeau Associates, Inc for helping FOSM with the testing, and pulling of this report. Learn More...

STREAM CROSSING SURVEY OF THE SCARBOROUGH MARSH WATERSHED

11/20/2017

 
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 This survey was put together by Friends of Scarborough Marsh board member Steve Pinette. The compiled data from this report will be used by the Friends of Scarborough Marsh to help guide future efforts related to safeguarding and improving the ecologic health of the Marsh. Learn more...

Fact sheet: A RESOURCE TO TREASURE

5/6/2014

 
10 Things YOU Can Do for Scarborough Marsh   
Scarborough Marsh: A Resource to Treasure
>>PDF version
>>PDF Version
Scarborough Marsh: Focus Areas of Statewide Ecological Significance (Beginning With Habitat)
Tidal marshes form in low-lying coastal areas that are sheltered from strong winds, waves, and currents. Nourished by tidal flows and with rapidly growing grasses, salt marshes form the basis of a highly productive food web. They are complex natural systems which support different plants and animals in a variety of habitats. In addition to nourishing many species of birds, finfish, shellfish, and invertebrates, marshes buffer upland shorelines against erosive actions of open water, protect low-lying uplands and shorelines during storms, and maintain water quality.

Fact sheet: Phragmites (Common Reed)

5/5/2014

 
Fact Sheet 1 (Maine Cooperative Extension)

Fact Sheet 2 (USFWS)

Phragmites is a perennial and aggressive wetland grass that grows over 10 feet tall and is easily recognized by its height and fluffy seed heads. Phragmites have very little value to the diverse populations of wildlife in the marsh. Their thick growth and rapid spread choke out valuable plants and reduce the biodiversity of the marsh's delicate and highly- valued ecosystem.

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Maine's salt marshes RESOURCE GUIDE

5/5/2014

 
Maine's Salt Marshes: Their Functions, Values, and Restoration (Gulf of Maine Council)
This guide looks at key questions: What Are Salt Marshes? Who Needs Salt Marshes? Why Are Many Salt Marshes in Trouble? What Can Be Done to Improve Degraded Salt Marshes? Plus offers resources for further inquiry and a useful glossary.
You might also like to see why we think the marsh is a treasure.
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NRDC Water Quality Report

5/8/2013

 
A report released in July 2013 by the National Resources Defense Council showing that in 2012 Scarborough’s Ferry Beach tied for 5th place (out of 60) in Maine’s most contaminated beaches. Also at about that time, FOSM partnered with the University of New England to collect and analyze data gathered at the Mill Brook area of the marsh. The study  found water quality to be good overall, with one major exception: coliform bacteria rated as poor at all four sampling sites during almost every month of the study period. High coliform bacteria levels are the primary reason for closing clam flats.  

FSM Financials - Form 990

5/1/2013

 
Friends of Scarborough Marsh is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our EIN is 01-0534850. Please visit the Foundation Center to view our latest 990 financial forms on file with the IRS.

Salt Marsh Vegetation ZONES

5/9/2012

 
With thanks to Maine Sea Grant program for this image; please visit their site for more info.
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MAPS

5/6/2012

 
Base Map, Scarborough Marsh Strategic Plan (2002)

Scarborough Marsh Watershed (Maine Audubon, 1999)

Map of Conserved Lands, Scarborough, Maine

Scarborough Marsh Drainage Areas
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Aerial View of the Scarborough Marsh (with restoration project sites)
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