Native amphibians, reptiles topic of UMF talk

FARMINGTON – Western Maine Audubon’s first talk of the fall season will be on amphibians and reptiles native to Maine.

It will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, in the North Dining Hall at the University of Farmington by Matthew Chatfield of Belfast, an associate professor of conservation biology at Unity College.

He earned his doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Michigan and worked as a postdoctoral researcher and as a visiting and research assistant professor at Tulane University in Louisiana.

With interests in threatened and endangered species, especially amphibians and reptiles, he has worked on such broad-ranging issues as habitat destruction, climate change, and amphibian disease.

“We share our forests, meadows, and backyards with 34 species of frogs, salamanders, snakes, and turtles,” Chatfield writes. “This talk will present an up-close and personal view of all these amazing creatures, focusing on their natural history and ecology.”

The talk is free and open to the public.