FARMINGTON — Western Maine Audubon’s first talk of the Fall season is by Matthew Chatfield, who will speak on amphibians and reptiles native to Maine.

The talk will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, in the North Dining Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington. It is free and open to the public.

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

Chatfield is an associate professor of conservation biology at Unity College. He earned his doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Michigan. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher and, later, 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.

He resides in Belfast and when not teaching or conducting research he is enjoys hiking, camping and birdwatching.

Pickerel frog, one of Maine’s native (and poisonous) amphibians.