Friends of Merrymeeting Bay plans to host a mud plant walk at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at Choice View Farm in Dresden. Photo by Ed Friedman

DRESDEN — Friends of Merrymeeting Bay recently announced that ecologist Andy Cutko, director of Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, plans to lead a mud plant walk at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, over the intertidal mud of Choice View Farm, Route 128.

Spongy-leaved Arrowhead Sagittaria montevidensis. Photo by Ed Friedman

Merrymeeting Bay, internationally recognized for its unique tidal freshwater ecosystem, is home to a dozen rare mud plants, according to a news release from the organization.

Many rare plants have evolved to cope with the unique characteristics of Merrymeeting Bay — such as freshwater with recurring periods of slight salinity; daily tidal ebb and flow; dry conditions alternating with frequent flooding; and warm, shallow water in summer followed by freezing in winter.

Other environmental conditions that affect the growth of certain plants include depth of water, shade, type of bottom, and competition from larger plants. The delicate balance between all of these factors can easily be changed or destroyed by development, dredging, filling and pollution.

The rare plants of Merrymeeting Bay and the lower Kennebec River include: stiff arrowhead (Sagittaria rigida); Long’s bittercress (Caradamme longii); estuary monkey-flower (Mimulus ringens var. colpophilus); Parker’s pipewort (Eriocaulon parkeri); estuary beggar-ticks (Bidens eatonii and Bidens hyperborea) — also called Eaton’s bur-marigold and estuary bur-marigold; and Eastern Lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis chinensis). Some of these are considered globally rare.

Cutko has directed the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands since 2019. Prior to that he served as science director for the Nature Conservancy’s Maine Chapter. For 21 years before that, Cutko was an ecologist in the Maine Department of Conservation’s Natural Areas Program.

Participants should wear rubber boots and be cognizant of ticks. The walk will occur rain or shine.

For directions and to register, call Ed Friedman at 207-666-3372.

Check out other upcoming area events!