BETHEL – The western Maine chapter of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine will host a workshop on vernal pools beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17.

Donald Murphy, wetland scientist for New England Forestry Consultant’s recently opened Maine Forest and Wetland Services Center in Bethel, will lead the workshop. It’s open to the public at no charge.

The group will meet at Bethel’s Davis Park at the junction of Route 26 and the Parkway Road connector to Route 2 just west of Bethel Village.

After a presentation on vernal pools, the group will visit and explore a nearby active pool at the edge of a hayfield and pine forest. Topics of discussion include vernal pool biology, the role of vernal pools for supporting wildlife, agreed upon logging practices around vernal pools and state and federal environmental regulations.

The field visit to the vernal pool is an easy flat walk to the pool edge. Footwear for a wet meadow walk is a must and waders for the adventurous are suggested. Murphy will provide hand lenses and a field microscope. Coffee and doughnuts will be available at 8:30 a.m. For further information call Merle Ring 674-3787.