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Maine Forest Collaborative March Newsletter

HIGH SCHOOL

We had a great cohort day last week and overnight with Telstar at UMaine! Students shared their projects, received feedback, ate at the Bear's Den and participated in one of the following sessions: 

→ Bioproducts & CNF - Students will learn about and get to create a boat, bridge or buoy with nanocellulose, a, non-toxic bio-based material made of plant fibers that is being researched for use in, products ranging from fire extinguisher foam & replacement bone material, to sustainable, packaging.


→ Hudson Museum & Ash Seed Processing - Students will experience a brief tour of the brown ash basket collection at UMaine's Hudson Museum and learn about the importance of brown ash basketmaking in Wabanaki communities. Next, students will learn about the threat the invasive emerald ash borer, EAB, poses to ash trees across the region and efforts to collect and store ash seed for future forest restoration efforts.



→ UAV & Virtual Room - Monitoring forest health is important to plan for timber harvest, and to watch for diseases and pests. To monitor forests above the canopy, UAVs and satellites can easily capture data. However, under the canopy data collection is still a challenge, because the drone has to detect and avoid, obstacles. That is the problem we are attempting to solve in this lab. In this session, we will show you the drone avoiding obstacles in simulation, our custom-built drone that is facing some engineering challenges, and virtual reality tour of a local Maine forest.


→ Out of the Woods: Making Choices Under Constraint  - What should you do when you don’t have enough resources to do everything? Using trees as a shared resource, teams will decide how best to allocate them across competing uses of paper, energy, furniture, and futuristic 3D-printed houses. As new technologies are introduced and constraints bind, every choice involves trade-offs and opportunity costs. With discussion, problem-solving, and lighthearted humor inspired by Taylor Swift’s Out of the Woods, learn how economists think about optimization, scarcity, and decision-making in the real world, no advanced math required, just clear thinking and creativity.


MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle schoolers at all three schools continue to work on refining their action plan and completing steps. More to come visits scheduled the next couple of weeks! 


In the News


The outlook for 6 forest pests and diseases in Maine 

Deep freezes in 2023 and 2024 provided relief for some of Maine’s most preyed-on tree species. Will that continue in 2026?->>> Full article



China has planted so many trees it's changed its entire water cycle  Huge "regreening" efforts in China over the past few decades have activated the country's water cycle and moved water in ways that scientists are just now starting to understand.



Students gain valuable work experience 

Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) Programs are up and running in four high schools in Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties in Maine, with programming reaching students at two additional schools, thanks to a grant secured by the Center, Rural Aspirations and Maine Development Foundation. ->>>  Full Article


Engagement Opportunities

Youth Agriculture Policy Day 

This full-day, immersive leadership experience will bring together students who are interested in agriculture and natural resources. They will have an opportunity to meet with legislators and key stakeholders from DACF, the Maine DOE, and 4-H Cooperative Extension; observe and participate in legislative committee meetings; and connect with their peers on issues that matter to them. The goal of Youth Agriculture Policy Day is to help support youth voice by developing their skills in policy, advocacy, and civic engagement—specifically, as it pertains to agricultural advancement and education. 

Youth Agriculture Policy Day coincides with Maine Ag Day, an annual celebration honoring the dedication and impact of Maine’s farmers, producers, and agricultural community. The Hall of Flags at the State Capitol will be the hub of this activity on March 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students may apply using this link. Participating students must be available to attend all sessions (listed below). The application deadline is March 1, 2026.\


Open Air Classroom

The Open Air Classroom offers a 3-day, 2-night experiential outdoor education program grounded in 4-H Earth Connections, for grades 4-8 designed to support diverse learners through hands-on, inquiry-based activities in forest and coastal ecosystems. Students engage in ecology explorations, team-building challenges, journaling, and choice-based electives that foster environmental awareness, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. The program emphasizes the 4-H framework of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, supporting critical thinking, social-emotional growth, experiential learning, and environmental stewardship.


Tuition includes instruction, housing, and meals, with scholarships available to ensure accessibility. Qualifying schools can inquire about full cost coverage through Maine Outdoor School for All. For more information, visit our website or contact reed.bridgekoenigsberg@maine.edu


For Teachers







MaineTREE Forest based Education Workshop! 

April 3 | 9 am to 3 pm

Wells Reserve at Laudholm

During this workshop, you'll discover how forests can serve as a teaching tool across a variety of subjects, opening new ways to understand and explore the outdoors.Learn more & register here!


NOAA Workshop Oases of Life: Seamounts & Deep Sea Corals 

Calling all 6 – 12 grade educators!

Join a NOAA Ocean Exploration facilitator on April 11 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute for a full-day, in-person Oases of Life: Seamounts and Deep-Sea Corals professional development workshop to learn about the geologic and physical processes associated with seamounts and the rich biological communities that inhabit them. You will dive into hands-on lessons and activities, explore additional resources to use in your classroom, and have the chance to connect with fellow educators throughout this exciting professional development. Participating educators will also receive a $100 stipend and Certificate of Participation.

Space is limited so click here to register today!


Offerings through GMRI!

Sensemaking Through Place with VR: Virtual Field Trip Information Session (two dates - same session)

   *These info sessions will also give you a preview of what the optional series will look like. If you are curious about the full series that will follow the info sessions, read more here.


Remote Sensing Overview & Applications

Grant Writing 101


Teach Maine Center: Experiential Learning Workshop

Critical Thinking and Real-World Connections

This free, in person PD opportunity will explore how real-world, experiential learning can increase student engagement.

Saturday, March 7, 2026 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Lunch Included)W.G. Mallett School 116 Middle St, Farmington


Teach ME Outside!

  • Building a Culture of Teaching Outside Workshop:

    • April 3rd at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association in Unity

    • May 16th at Day Mountain Regional Middle School in Strong 

    • Register Here. Please note: If you have already participated in this workshop, you are welcome to register again, but you will be placed on a waitlist and accepted closer to the date if we have any open spaces not filled by new participants.

 
 
 

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