Field trips, field trips, and more field trips!
Weyerhaeuser Field Trip!Â
MFC students from Greenville and Guilford last week took a field trip to Weyerhaeuser's office location and an
active logging site. We learned about the history of the company, some of the challenges professionals in the industry are facing right now in Maine, and careers within the industry and related to the industry. We also got to see a harvester in action! A huge thank you to the teachers for being able to make this happen, and to Weyerhaeuser for working with us and making this day possible!
ELC @ UMaine!
Earlier this month Ecology Learning Center visited UMaine to see both the Process Development Center and the Advanced Composite Center! We learned about all of the innovation happening at UMaine
related to natural resources and beyond from nanocellulose to 3D printed houses. We also got a visit from UMaine's Early College to learn about how students can earn credit toward college for free while still in high school! (more details below)
Belfast Area High School & Coastal Mountains Land Trust!
Belfast students met with Jack Shaida last week to learn about the river and watershed at Head of Tide Preserve. Jack shared about his background and how he got into
conservation, gave us some things to think about for our fish project, and joined us in a macro-invertibrate sampling to help determine water quality. We found dragonfly nymphs, mayflies, and even a caddisfly in a quick sampling indicting a very healthy river!Â
In the News
Geared up! Skowhegan Main Street opens outdoor equipment library
From bikes to snowshoes, more than 200 pieces of outdoor gear are available for members of the public to borrow from the new Skowhegan Outdoors Basecamp.
3,000 acres on east shore of Moosehead Lake protected from developmentÂ
A 3,000-acre swath of forest that had been eyed for a subdivision near Moosehead Lake has been permanently conserved with the help of the Forest Society of Maine and the Friends of Wilson Ponds.
Maine companies look to biochar as a climate solution to capture carbon and improve soil healthÂ
In the quest for climate solutions, Jones is among the Maine entrepreneurs banking on this charcoal-like substance. They say it can bind up carbon for decades, and improve agricultural soils at the same time.
Engagement Opportunities!
FERN Plots!
Interested in having your school join the Forest Ecology Research Network? Sara has been working with Maine TREE to be able to help facilitate the establishment of forest plots for students to collect data on annually. Students will look at canopy, understory, learn how to measure trees, and learn about tree ID in this workshop. To set one up, just reach out to Sara and she will connect with your local district forester and Maine TREE to get this set up at your school. Check out more including a map here!
Connecting Women to Forestry
New Ventures Maine is hosting Connecting Women to Forestry Careers, an online session, to connect women to careers and opportunities in forestry in Maine . The goal is to connect women to training and other opportunities in Maine for high-quality/high-wage jobs in this industry.Tuesday April 9th 6-7 via zoom. Register here!
Early College @ UMaine
The Early College Program allows students to take college courses while they are still in high school. Students can take these courses either tuition-free or at a reduced early college rate. Not sure how to start? Meet with an Early College Advisor and they will help you determine the pathway that meets your needs and where to start. Learn more here!
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Keller BLOOM Program
Do you know a Maine high school junior with an interest in the ocean? Then please spread the word that the application for our free Keller BLOOM program is now open!Enrolled students will spend a week (May 19 to 24) living on our East Boothbay campus, gaining
experience with advanced scientific equipment, and learning from world leaders in oceanographic research.Â
The Keller BLOOM program was started by Bigelow Laboratory scientist Maureen Keller to provide students with a hands-on ocean science experience.Â
BLOOM offers Maine high school juniors an opportunity to work alongside professional researchers and be immersed in a research environment. Through field sampling and laboratory activities including data collection, synthesis, and analysis, the students learn what a career as an ocean scientist involves.Current Maine high school juniors (2023-2024 school year, including homeschooled students) are encouraged to apply by April 5th. No prior research experience is necessary. Sixteen students will be selected, and Bigelow Laboratory will provide chaperoned room and board.
For Teachers
Wabanaki Studies Professional Development
Brianne Lolar will lead educators through current resources available, as well as resources in the works. We’ll get hands on with materials and support one another with this work. You only need to attend one workshop date. This material represents a continuing collaborative effort between the Wabanaki nations, Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, districts, and other organizations.
Workshop In-Person Locations
Saturday, May 4th: Washington Academy in East Machias
Saturday, May 11th: MEANS Academy in Hinckley
Saturday, May 18th: Maine Audubon, Gisland Farm in Falmouth
Thursday, June 20th: Ashland High School in Ashland
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Teachers InstituteÂ
July 29 – August 2, 2024 University of Southern Maine, Gorham
Meaningful classroom instruction for grades PreK-12 teachers will include curriculum, hands-on activities, demonstrations, online resources, and much more! Participants will tour on a custom coach for 2 days. Visits will include Agriculture research facilities, farms on land and water, processors and preparers of Maine products. Attendees will learn about Food, Agriculture, and Aquaculture programs in South/Central Maine. At this Educator’s workshop, participants will receive 38 contact hours or 3.8 CEU's from the University of Maine for re-certification credit. Register here!
Maine Environmental Education 2024 ConferenceÂ
May 10th-11th at the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences
Workshop Strands:Â
For Youth, By Youth
Climate Education
Outdoor Learning
Skills for Action