Maine Forest Collaborative April Newsletter
- Rural Aspirations
- Apr 28
- 4 min read
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Schools are well underway with projects at this point and are into the actiony part of their action plans!
Schenck, TCTC, and Guilford just spent some time with me drafting survey questions for a youth survey aimed at understanding perceptions around outdoor recreation and outdoor recreation careers. Stay tuned for more about that and a final survey in the coming weeks!
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
Mrs. Prentice’s middle school students at Tremont last week unboxed 1000 native salt marsh grass plugs for their salt marsh restoration project this spring! A small portion are being used by students to find optimal growing conditions with experiments they are designing.
Ms. Tardif's students are getting ready to kick into full gear with their forest health project with the weather starting to turn!
In the News
The invasive Emerald Ash Borer discovered on Mount Desert Island
Mike Parisio, a Maine Forest Service entomologist, said the island is now in quarantine to try to contain the infestation.
IKEA- backed startup makes fiberboard adhesive from plastic waste
NILO is on a mission to turn plastic waste into adhesives for wood panel products – and it’s not just talk.
A birds-eye view of forest health
Using aerial and ground survey techniques, the program collects data about forest health indicators such as tree decline and mortality, insect and disease infestations, and climate- or weather-related tree stress. ->>> Full article
Engagement Opportunity
Maine Outdoor Career Guide!
Our friends at MaineTREE just launched this free downloadable Maine Outdoor Career Guide to help share with students some of the careers available here in Maine if they want a job outside!
For Students
Mechanized Logging and Forest Trucking Program
This program was created by three Maine Community Colleges in partnership with the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine. The logging industry has many unfilled positions for qualified operators who are skilled in modern equipment. This program is designed to get you started in a career as an equipment operator. We will teach you what it takes to be a well-trained equipment operator as part of a safe, production-oriented harvesting team. This is FREE and a great opportunity for graduating seniors!
To learn more about the program before applying, click here.
UMaine SEA BEaRS Program
Merit-Based Scholarships for Marine Science Students: Please share with high school seniors who are Pell-eligible and considering a marine science major at the University of Maine: The UMaine SEA BEaRS Program is now accepting applications from incoming first-year students who are planning to major in marine science at the University of Maine. This merit-based scholarship is designed specifically for Pell Grant-eligible students and offers financial support, mentorship, research opportunities, and a strong sense of community throughout the college experience.
SEA BEaRS scholars benefit from:
A strong academic and social support network
Faculty and peer mentorship
Research and internship opportunities
Career readiness training
For more info and to apply visit: umaine.edu/marine/sea-bears/
For Teachers
MSTA & Educate Maine Mobile BIOLAB PD
Date: Monday, April 14thTime: 4:00 PM - 6:30 PMLocation: Pemetic Elementary School, 327 Main Street, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
Limited to 10 Participants - MSTA Members (Become a member Join Here) - Membership is $25/year, but please let me know if you need a scholarship sponsor for a membership.
Join us for an engaging professional development opportunity aboard the Maine Mobile BIOLAB! Participants will explore three hands-on lab activities and gain access to loaner classroom kits with ready-to-use lessons. Dinner will be provided, and attendees will also earn 0.25 CEUs for their participation.
Forests of Maine Teacher Tour!
MFC teachers, I highly recommend this training! The tours prepare participants to return to the classroom with stimulating approaches to share knowledge about the forest with students, colleagues, and communities. Throughout the four-day tour, participants engage in Project Learning Tree activities, meet professionals who work in the Maine woods, and develop ideas on how to bring the forest to the classroom or the classroom to the forest. Plus you can earn up to 30 contact hours!
Rangeley Lakes Region: July 8 - 11
Downeast Lakes Region: July 22 - 25 Learn more and register here!
GMRI Curriculum Workshop: Predators & Prey in a Warming Gulf of Maine
Join us to learn about the “Warming Gulf of Maine: Investigating Predators and Prey" curriculum resource, April 29th 4-8pm at The Gatherings in Surry, ME. Register here. Description: How are warming ocean temperatures impacting fish species in the region? How do scientists study changing predator/prey relationships throughout this complex ecosystem? Investigate these questions and more as you learn about a new NGSS-aligned middle school curriculum based on ongoing research being conducted by researchers at The University of New Hampshire and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Participants will experience hands-on and interactive lesson activities, engage with data-based learning and develop an ecosystem model using the digital SageModeler tool. In addition to middle school students, resources from this module are also relevant for high school science students. Check out the full curriculum module here: A Warming Gulf of Maine: Investigating Impacts on Predators and Prey. Note that there will be about an hour of pre-work for participants to do prior to the workshop. Participating educators will receive a $100 stipend, mileage reimbursement, dinner and contact hours.
MEEA Annual Conference
At the MEEA Annual Conference, you can gain inspiration from engaging workshops, celebrate your peers, and enjoy sharing space with new and old friends in environmental education.
Registration fees | Friday, May 9th $0-50; Saturday, May 10th $0-150Venue | Founder’s Hall at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Maine — off the I-95 corridor around a 35-minute drive west of Bangor. Sign up for carpooling and lodging sharing. MEEA is not providing lodging for this event. Learn more and register here!
Virtual Webinar: Investigating the Impacts of Climate Change on Growing Conditions through the Use of Data and Hands-on Activities
Apr 17, 12:00 PMJoin us education staff from The Gulf of Maine Research Institute as they share their experience using data visualizations with educators and young people to investigate patterns and changes in the environment that affect our ability to grow food. They will also share resilience-based curriculum resources related to maple production and potato farming that can be used in both in and out of school settings.Hosted by the Farm-Based Educators Network and Shelburne Farms Register Here
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