top of page
Search

Maine Forest Collaborative April Newsletter

HIGH SCHOOL

Piscataquis students have been working hard on their action plan and have their first video from Big Moose edited and almost ready for it's voice over. They are working on the logistics of getting to their next field trip - the local disc golf course to film! 


Telstar students have identified their challenge, and their challenge statement,"How might we provide recommendations about enforcing and evaluating rules, regulations, and zoning and how unorganized territories are classified for land use so that we have a balance between conserving land and providing new opportunities for growing communities?"They met with \ Megan Lamb of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry via zoom Monday to discuss potential scenarios to run through.


TCTC students and Somerset Woods staff spent some time together to mark trails and post new trail junction signage at Coburn Woods in Skowhegan. Students have been busy learning about a wide variety of natural resource careers in Maine over the last several weeks. 


Schenck students had an extremely productive day last week working on their action plan. They are working to dial in dates to build an outdoor classroom area with help from community partners and the school woodworking teacher. They are also planning their expenses, as well as a lesson connected to science and the outdoors to be able to deliver to first and second graders at the school. 


MIDDLE SCHOOL

Piscataquis students are deep in the maple tapping phase of their project and working to finalize details and secure items for their maple breakfast scheduled at the end of the month.



Greenville students are preparing for their Science and Engineering Expo happening this week to celebrate the hard work and creativity of middle school students. Students in grades 6–8 will be showcasing science and engineering projects they have been developing over the past few months.


Tremont students will be spending time this week working in joint groups with the other class section to compare what they have worked on separately in each class, determine what still needs to be done on their action plan and start to work on their final presentations. 


In the News

Katahdin Higher Ed Center receives $10,000 grant to support Story Trail in East Millinocket

The Katahdin Higher Education Center, a campus of Eastern Maine Community College, has received a $10,000 Movement Grant from the Quimby Family Foundation to support its Story Trail initiative in East Millinocket.->>> Full article


New Maine Ski Hill Randomly Opens Up

After a couple years of behind-the-scenes planning and implementation, “Maine’s biggest small town” is home to a new ski hill.-->>> Full article



Tree-Based Tech: The future of Maine's forest products industry

There’s Silicon Valley just south of San Francisco Bay, Research Triangle in North Carolina, and the Route 128 Tech Corridor in Massachusetts. Perhaps someday, if a new collaboration of entrepreneurs, policymakers, and research scientists realize their dream, we might add “The North Woods Innovation Circle” or “Maine’s Nanofiber Forest” to that list.->>>  Full Article


For Students

Introduction to Turkey Hunting 

Learn the basics of turkey hunting with this introductory workshop. This workshop will cover laws and regulations, equipment, scouting, hunting methods and tactics, shot placements, and what to do after the shot.

This workshop is designed for ages 10+ and is taking place at various times in March and April in South Paris, Damariscotta, Northport, Searsmont, Bethel, Wilton, Auburn, and Oquossoc. Register here!


For Teachers

Maine Science Teachers Association 2026 Conference! 

When: Saturday, May 2, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm with optional activities the evening of Friday, May 1.Where: Blueberry Cove 4-H Camp and Learning Center, 22 Blueberry Cove Rd, St. George

  • Earlybird District — $75.00 (This is for a district to register three or more educators to attend at a discounted rate. Please complete the guest information for each attendee.

  • MSTA Member Registration — $110.00 Available from March 16 through April 26, 2026

  • Non-member Registration — $140.00


Forests of Maine Teacher Tour! 

Jul 06, 2026, 2:00 – Jul 10, 2026, 2:30

Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins, 70 Gorman Chairback Rd, Greenville

  • Spend 5 days at Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins in Greenville.

  • Experience three immersive days touring around the region with stops at conservation areas, live harvest sites, and a forest-product mill.

  • Learn today's best practices for integrating Forest-based Education in your classroom through two days of interactive workshops.


Building a Culture of Teaching Outside 

This spring, Maine educators are invited to a FREE workshop: Building a Culture of Teaching Outside. Spend the day exploring practical strategies, learning from peers, and gathering resources to support outdoor learning at your school.

Workshops include:

  • $100 stipend

  • Contact hours

  • Lunch, coffee, tea, and snacks provided

Choose the session that works for you:

April 3 | 10 AM–4 PM

MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association), Unity

May 16 | 10 AM–4 PM

Day Mountain Regional Middle School, Strong

Register to save your spot: Registration Form


2026 MEEA Conference!

This year’s MEEA conference will be at Lake Cobbosseecontee! Enjoy two days of learning and community building in West Gardiner at the Pilgrim Lodge.


For anyone who is passionate about caring for our environment and advancing health and sustainability in our communities is welcome to join! Often who attend are educators, students of all ages, nonprofit professionals, people working in the environmental sector, community organizers, school administrators, policy professionals, and more.



Reimagining Rural Cross Sector Collaboration

Wednesday, April 15 - 10:00am to 11:30am ETMaine West, funded by The Betterment Fund, is a partnership of local and regional organizations working across the economic, education, health, and conservation sectors to position rural western Maine communities as viable and attractive places to live, work, do business, and raise families. After 10 years of collaboration, the partnership is beginning to see the impact of the Active Communities, Broadband Access and Adoption, and Educational Aspiration and Attainment subcommittees, each having found great success leveraging these cross-sector partnerships to create infrastructure, add and build capacity, and design innovative solutions for some of the most pressing challenges facing rural western Maine citizens. Maine West is an innovative model for place-based philanthropy that could be adapted in other rural parts of the state.The goals of the session are to:

  • Share how cultivating place-based, long-term, multi-sector partnerships can impact the overall wellness of a region

  • Share strategies that have worked to develop, evolve, and sustain programming that impacts a large cross-section of citizens from a region

  • Share how the work is being evaluated

  • Provide participants with an opportunity to ask questions to see how this might work in their regions, with their unique partnerships


Vernal Pools

Vernal Pools are seasonal bodies of water that contribute to the biodiversity of healthy forest ecosystems. The pools support a variety of life that is tightly adapted to temporary waters. Due to their small and temporary nature, there is a lot we do not know about vernal pools, like where are they located? What vernal pool species exist in our area? How are they adapting to climate change? Join the growing network of thousands of youth, educators, and community members across the Northeast working to understand the vernal pools in our forests. Sign up for the field season here. Join us for an in-person field day this spring!

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page