TIMES RECORD • May 1, 2024
While plankton might not be bright like the bursting forsythia or fragrant like the soon-to-come lilacs, they are perhaps the most beautiful and diverse set of living things on the planet. They can be round and spiky, long chains, glowing or transparent, and some are even toxic. But most people have never seen a single one. One local organization is giving people that opportunity and also getting something in return. The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust has several community science programs, including a plankton-monitoring program. Volunteers take a water sample and utilize microscopes to look at and categorize plankton types. They are still looking for additional volunteers for this summer. ~ Susan Olcott