Explore the colorful diversity of Seaweeds that inhabit our coastal intertidal!  Frenchman Bay Conservancy and The Blue Hill Peninsula Rockweed Forum are sponsoring a field trip at very low tide at Tidal Falls Preserve in Hancock on Saturday, July 18th at 8:00 am. The field trip will be led by David Porter, retired professor of Botany (UGA) and now twenty-year resident of Brooklin.

  The spectrum of red, green and brown seaweeds is best seen when the tide is out and the algae are exposed on the rocky shore.  Nearest to the low tide line are the delicate, filamentous red seaweeds as well as dulse and Irish moss. Farther up into the intertidal are the brown kelp, bladder wracks and rockweed that drape the rocks and protect numerous invertebrates (snails, sea urchins, shrimp, and sea stars, etc.) from desiccation.

Tidal Falls Preserve is easily accessible with parking close by, but be sure to wear shoes that do not mind getting wet and have sturdy soles.  A trekking pole might also be helpful balance on the uneven rocks. Be sure to arrive on time or even a bit early as wee will want to be able to walk to the lowest tide line right away.