A biologist at the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Gulf of Maine Coastal Program will give a talk about the relationship between healthy freshwater fish populations and water temperature on Thursday, Feb. 24, via Zoom, hosted by The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust of Bath. Submitted photo

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust plans to host Kirstin Underwood, a biologist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, to talk about the relationship between healthy freshwater fish populations and water temperature.

The talk is to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 via Zoom.

Maine’s most iconic fish species, including the Eastern brook trout and Atlantic salmon, cannot survive water temperatures above a certain threshold (70-80 degrees Fahrenheit). Increases in water temperature because of climate change are expected to have dramatic effects on where these species can live, according to a news release from the Bath-based land trust.

The virtual evening lecture will also provide insights into the Maine Water Temperature Working Group and Interagency Monitoring Effort, which was established in 2014 in response to a growing need to identify and protect streams with the ability to stay cool as air temperatures rise due to climate change.

Participants are welcomed and encouraged to ask questions during the Q&A portion of the lecture.

Underwood is a fish and wildlife biologist with the Gulf of Maine Coastal Program in Falmouth. She grew up in rural Maine and returned to her home state after conducting research on Pacific salmon populations for three and a half years on the West Coast.

Underwood coordinates MWTWG activities collaboratively with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and works with partners to assess, monitor and restore fish habitat in Maine streams.

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust is a membership-supported organization dedicated to protecting the land, water and wildlife of the Kennebec Estuary. It maintains 12 preserves for public enjoyment and has protected more than 4,100 acres of land since its founding in 1989.

Registration is free and required in order to receive the Zoom link for the presentation. The Zoom link will be sent to registrants upon registration.

For more information and to sign up, visit kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events or call 207-442-8400.