July 2, 2026:
Protecting Guild Park for Today and Tomorrow
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A two-part program on Guild Park with Ruth Leavitt, Certified Naturalist, and Colleen Teering, State Entomologist. This discussion will address recent and ongoing efforts to increase the health of the Park and protect it from disease and invasive insects. The Environment and Natural Resources Committee has undertaken a massive effort, following recommendations in the forest management plan, including planting of seedlings, to ensure the future of the Park.
Ruth Leavitt, Maine Master Naturalist. Ruth graduated from the Univ. of Maine with a BS in plant & Soil science.
Colleen Teerling is an entomologist with the Maine Forest Service. She received her education at Simon Fraser Univ. in BC & the Univ. of New Brunswick and has worked with the Maine Forest Serv. for nearly 17 yrs. Much of her work has focused on invasive insects, with biological control playing a central role.
July 9, 2026:
Change in Saco Bay: Storms, Erosions and Sea Level Rise
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Join University of New England faculty member, Will Kochititzky, and marine and environmental science students to learn about the changing coastal landscapes (beaches and marshes) in Southern Maine. With a focus on sea level rise in Saco Bay, his research helps prepare communities for the changes on the coast.
Will Kochititzky is an Assistant Professor in UNE’s School of Marine and Environmental Programs. His teaching and research focuses on observing and quantifying the impacts of climate change. He completed a DS in Earth Sciences at Dickinson College, a MS from the University of Maine and PhD from the University of Ottawa.
July 23, 2026:
A Forum On Coastal Climate Resilience
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Learn about Ocean Park’s vulnerability to climate change and how other communities are addressing this issue in a program led by planners from the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission and the Town of Old Orchard Beach. SMPDC will share how municipalities are responding to their first regional coastal resilience plan for Southern Maine published in November of 2023 “Climate Ready Coast”.
Karina Graeter, Sustainability Division Director, serves as SMPDC’s lead program manager for several projects and programs working to assist communities with planning for local and regional response to climate change. Karina studied physics and earth sciences at Bowdoin College and obtained her MS in earth sciences at Dartmouth College.
Melanie Nash, Sustainability & Resilience Planner, has worked on numerous municipal sustainability and development projects and recently served as the Island Institute Fellow for the Town of Long Island in Casco Bay. Melanie holds a BA in Geography from Clark University in Worchester, MA and a MA in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island.
August 6, 2026:
Demystifying the Tide Gate and the Water Around Ocean Park
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Don Hoenig and Mark Lauritano, members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, will lead a program on the purpose of the tide gate, findings from the OOB 2025 Marsh Study, and what Ocean Parkers can do to improve the water quality in our marshes and the beach.
Linda is a 4th generation Ocean Parker and has been coming to Ocean Park for the summer for most every year of her life. She and her husband, Mark met at Colby College and since retirement, they spend summers on Mass. Ave in the cottage that Linda’s dad built in the early 1960’s. When not in Ocean Park, they live in Concord, MA. She and Mark are the proud parents of three sons and two grandsons.