What is a wetland? What good are wetlands anyway? Is it a wetland or just a puddle? Join West Newbury Conservation Commission Chair, Molly Hawkins, and Conservation Agent, Michelle Greene, for a fun, interactive Zoom presentation on all-things wetlands. Molly and Michelle will answer these common wetlands questions, share interesting wetlands facts, and take you on a virtual tour of a few of West Newbury’s many wetlands. A separate, family friendly wetlands walk will be hosted by Molly and Michelle on May 16th (rain date May 23rd) where we’ll take a closer look at one of West Newbury’s many wetlands.

As Conservation Agent, Michelle serves as staff for the Conservation Commission and provides technical review and support to the Town on wetlands and natural resources. After completing undergraduate degrees in biology and environmental science, she transitioned from a career as a legal assistant to a career in conservation and has worked previously as an at-sea monitor collecting data aboard commercial fishing vessels for NOAA and as an inventory arborist as part of the state’s Asian long-horned beetle eradication program. This background helps her navigate both the legal and scientific components of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. In her free time Michelle enjoys traveling, hiking, and camping.

Molly Hawkins moved to West Newbury 13 years ago. She previously worked as the coordinator of the volunteer program at Mass Audubon’s flagship wildlife sanctuary Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, an example of compatible land use which supports a vegetable farm as well as providing habitat for wildlife and environmental education opportunities for families living in the city. She now works with families of children with developmental delays as a family therapist. Keeping the wonders of nature accessible to all abilities has been a goal of her term on the Conservation Commission.

Please register for the Zoom link. If you do not receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder.

This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive a link to the recording.