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The forest continuum extends far beyond the forests typically considered by the urban and community forestry realm. From the tree-lined streets and parks in our downtowns to the private yards and forests of Maine’s rural communities, the Maine Forest Service has several programs to address your forest resource related needs. To learn more about MFS landowner assistance, water quality, forest health, forest fire control or other MFS programs, please contact the Maine Forest Service at 1-800-367-0223 (in-state) or visit www.maineforestservice.gov. For information about Project Canopy, please contact Becky Tavani, Project Canopy Director, at 207-287-4987 or becky.tavani@maine.gov
A 6 week workshop for woodlot owners will be held at the Oxford Hills High School (SAD # 17) in So. Paris beginning on Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 7 PM. Topics covered will include: Tree identification, deeds and boundaries, timber harvesting, wildlife management, forestry taxes, forestry regulations, and working with a consulting forester. There is a $20 charge for the course. The workshop is sponsored by the Maine Forest Service with assistance from SWOAM. For more information, contact Merle Ring, Maine Forest Service, 207-674-3787. To sign up, contact or visit the Adult Education office at the high school – 207-743-8842, Ext. 1
The Upper Kennebec Valley Chapter of SWOAM will host a workshop with speaker Jennifer Perry of Maine Audubon. Jennifer will speak about bird identification and habitats for the small woodland owner. The workshop will be held at the Saddleback Mountain base lodge in Rangeley on April 21st from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The workshop is open to the public, free of charge and pre-registration is not required. For more information contact Patty Cormier at 207-474-3499 or patty.cormier@maine.gov.
The Maine Forest Service (MFS) will offer a workshop on sampling for detection of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) to community volunteers on Saturday, March 17th from 9am to 3pm at the York Public Library. Participants are asked to adopt a hemlock stand of their choice and monitor it annually for HWA using a sampling plan developed by the University of Vermont. HWA is a serious insect pest of hemlock that has been spreading in the eastern United States for over 50 years. It was found in Maine on native hemlocks in 2003 on Gerrish Island. Since then, the MFS has identified scattered infestations over an area of 6500+ acres in Kittery, York, Wells, South Berwick and Eliot using ground surveys. The MFS is seeking volunteers to detect and monitor HWA. Sampling results will be collected annually, compiled and used in HWA population assessments by the MFS.
The training runs for a full day and involves both an indoor and outdoor class session. There is no fee for the workshop; however, pre-registration is required. Attendance is limited to 30 people. The registration deadline is March 9th. This workshop has been approved for 6 continuing education credits for pesticide applicators. To find out more about the workshop or to request a registration form, contact Allison Kanoti, MFS Insect and Disease Lab., 48 Hospital Street, Augusta, ME 04330; Tel 207-287-3147; Fax: 207-287-2432; E-mail: allison.m.kanoti@maine.gov.
Maine Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. For FY 2007, up to $100,000 is available for the Maine State CIG competition. Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process. There are two CIG components available in FY 2007: Natural Resource Concerns Component and the Technology Component. Applications are requested from eligible government or non-government organizations or individuals within the state of Maine for competitive consideration of grant awards for projects between one and three years in duration. Proposals must be received in the NRCS Vermont State Office by 4 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST) on April 27, 2007. The address for hand-delivered applications or applications submitted using mail or overnight courier service is: Conservation Innovation Grants Program; c/o Pat Pickett; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Suite 105, 356 Mountain View Drive, Colchester, Vermont 05446. Full funding guidelines can be found online at the CIG website: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig.
To submit your application electronically, visit www.grants.gov/apply and follow the instructions.
Just published, The Health Benefits of Parks: How Parks Help Keep Americans and Their Communities Fit and Healthy draws from the latest research to outline the ways in which parks, open space, greenways, and trails support and promote healthy lifestyles, potentially decreasing health care costs. The second in TPL's planned series of white papers on park benefits, the 24-page report is intended to help park professionals and volunteers make the case for parks as a wise community investment. Download the publication at http://www.tpl.org/download_health_benefits_parks.cfm
American Forests is always looking for quality tree-planting projects to be funded through their Global ReLeaf Forests ecosystem restoration program. They are interested in partnering with private and public sector organizations and agencies to plant trees and improve the environment in projects that would otherwise not be feasible. They support projects that plant the right trees in the right places for the right reasons. For questions, call 202-737-1944 x224, FAX 202-737-2457 or e-mail mdawley@amfor.org Submission deadline July 1st. Visit www.americanforests.org/global%5Freleaf/grants/
To demonstrate the economic and ecological benefits of urban and community forestry to Maine communities, Project Canopy will host a state wide Arbor Day ceremony on May 21st from noon-3pm at the Augusta State Capitol. There will also be Maine Tree City USA Awards as well as tree seedling distribution during the ceremony. Please show your support for urban and community forestry by attending this event. Contact Becky Tavani at 207-287-4987 or becky.tavani@maine.gov for further details as they develop.
Another Arbor Day event includes a presentation by author Tom Wessels, Reading the Forested Landscape, on May 21st hosted by the City of Bath, Maine Community Forest Board and sponsored by Project Canopy (see below for details).
i-Tree has released a series of reports from Minnesota quantifying the benefits of urban and community forests. The report compares costs and benefits of community forest management. Visit http://www.na.fs.fed.us/urban/treespayusback/
Project Canopy is funded solely by federal funding from the USDA Forest Service. The President’s FY 2008 proposed budget for the USDA Forest Service would reduce Urban and Community Forestry program funding by 38% and Forest Stewardship program funding by 41%. Federal funding for the Urban and Community Forestry program has declined by 44% since FY 2000. Congress must still decide on spending levels for each program. The outcome of Congressional budget discussions may have impacts on programs delivered by the Maine Forest Service.
3 Maine Arborist Association Annual Meeting, Verillos Conference Center, Portland, Maine. Kevin Smith, USDA Forest Service is the 2007 keynote speaker. Contact MAA at 207-657-3256 to register.
6 & 7 Hazard Trees & Trees, People and the Law Seminars in Providence, RI. Sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Register separately for $129/seminar, or for both for $229. Agenda and Registration can be found online at arborday.org/hazardtrees or by calling 888-448-7337
8 Forest Management Class, Houlton High School. Sponsored by the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District and the Maine Forest Service. Speakers will focus on topics related to forest pest management and Christmas tree management. Free. Contact Johnna Fleming at SASWCD for more information at 207-532-9407 x. 3 or johnna.fleming@me.nacdnet.net.
8 -12 Portland Flower Show
13 Earth Connections Volunteers program. Program will meet in Belfast on eight Tuesdays beginning March 13th. For more information, contact Laura Sebastianelli at 207-789-5808 or lauras@umext.maine.edu. Visit http://www.umaine.edu/umext/Tanglewood4H/EarthConnections/ECVolunteers.htm
16 Project Canopy Assistance Grant applications due
16 National Arbor Day Foundation Arbor Day Poster Contest submissions due
21 Maine Water Conference. Visit http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/mwc/index.htm
24 Women in the Woods chainsaw safety workshops. Women who want to learn to work safely with a chainsaw are encouraged to attend a series of chainsaw safety workshops scheduled for this spring. For more information or to sign up for workshop locations, contact Tish Carr at 1-800-611-5118 or Patty Cormier, Maine Forest Service at 207-474-3499.
25 Maine Maple Sunday. Sugarhouses throughout Maine offer free tastings and demonstrations. To find a list of participating sugarhouses visit www.getrealgetmaine.com
15-21 Forest Fire Prevention Week
18 Climbing and Rigging Seminar. Augusta Civic Center. Contact Tom Hoerth FMI or to register. Pre-registration required.
27 National Arbor Day
20-26 Maine Arbor Week
21 Arbor Day state ceremony, sponsored by the Pine Tree State Arboretum and Project Canopy, Augusta State Capitol 12:30-3pm. Call 207-287-4987 for more details.
21 Reading the Forested Landscape, A presentation by author Tom Wessels. Hosted by the City of Bath, Maine Community Forest Board and sponsored by Project Canopy. For more information contact the City of Bath Cemeteries and Parks department at 443-8345 (time to be determined)
21-22 Storms Over the Urban Forest National Conference. Atlanta, GA. Sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Complete agenda and registration available online at arborday.org/storms or by calling 888-448-7337.
If you would like to put your community’s activity on the calendar, please let one of the editors know by the 15th of each month.
This newsletter is made possible by a grant from the USDA Forest Service. The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. To file a complaint call (202) 720-5964