Maine Forest Collaborative November Newsletter
- Rural Aspirations
- Nov 3
- 5 min read
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Thank you for a great cohort day at the Bangor Parks & Rec Department! 8th grade students from Tremont, Greenville, and Piscataquis Community Middle School presented their Map of Place presentations and then worked in mixed groups developing solutions to:
- light pollution
- outdoor recreation
- endangered species
- invasive species
There were some creative and innovative ideas and some great teamwork!
HIGH SCHOOL
Students are starting to do some research to understand their challenge in the coming weeks.
Schenck just visited Katahdin Woods & Waters, and will be doing some initial trail work with with Outdoor Sports Institute's Dan Rogan.
Belfast students are working on their prototype for their long-term projects and just had a great visit to the University of Maine where they toured the Process Development Center, Advanced Manufacturing Center, learned about the buoy barn and marine research, and met with the Pulp & Paper Foundation.
PCSS students are working to increase awareness of outdoor recreation in their area. They are starting with doing some research about what is in the area, effective marketing strategies, and trying to assess what recreation opportunities are students engaging in versus not engaging in.
Telstar students went on their first field trip to collect data and assess pollution/trash along several waterways in town where they met a group who picks up trash monthly in the area.
In the News
Amid challenges, Maine's forest products industry remains an $8.3B 'powerhouse' report shows
From logging to paper manufacturing, Maine’s forest products industry contributed $8.3 billion to the state's economy and employed 29,000 people in 2024, a report shows. ->>> Full article
What can the emerald ash borer reveal about the long-ago loss of the American chestnut?
Now, as another tree disappears — the ash — scientists working in the White Mountains of New Hampshire hope they can document its demise to gain a new, deeper understanding of how species losses ripple through ecosystems.
Maine's longer, hotter summers are reshaping our natural world
The Portland Press Herald spoke to two dozen experts this summer about the ways increasing heat is affecting the Maine's environment, ranging from the short-term impacts of heat waves on bats and birds to the long-term effects of warming lakes, forests and oceans.->>> Full Article
Materials on Lend!
MFC Materials!
Thanks to some grant funding we now have an MFC kit full of supplies for teachers to be able to use with students! It includes everything from calipers and loppers to GPS units and a game camera, and more! Check out what we have available and just email me to request an item! If you're interested in something that is checked out, let me know and we will get it to you next!
Engagement Opportunities!
Lab to Classroom!
TCTC and Greenville are taking advantage of this, I look forward to hearing all about it!Rural Aspirations and MaineTREE co-led a workshop this spring for graduate students designed to help them share their work in the classroom! A handful of University of Maine Graduate students have designed lesson plans to be able to share their ongoing research with youth in schools in a hands on and engaging way. The goal is for these visits to increase youth exposure to post-secondary research efforts and career opportunities and to create a bridge between institutional research and education. Note: We will share a rough outline of the plan with you prior to the visit so you know what to expect.
Please complete this form to be connected with a graduate student to be able to set up this classroom visit. We will try to match you with students based on interest and geographic proximity.
For Students
MERITS Summer Internship
Attention Maine High School Teachers:Do you have students who are interested in interning at a Maine STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) research institution or company for six weeks during the summer of 2026?The Maine Space Grant Consortium is pleased to announce paid internship opportunities for highly motivated juniors under our MERITS program.For more information and to download the program guidelines, application form and FAQ, visit our website at https://www.msgc.org/students/internships/highschool/ Applications are due February 13, 2026
For Teachers
Wild Seed Project - Seeds for Teachers!
Wild Seed Project's Seeds for Teachers program provides free Northeast native seed packets to public school educators, a barrier-free initiative intended to support teachers in integrating native plants into their existing pollinator and plant units across grade levels. Packets include bulk seeds for four easy-to-sow, pollinator-friendly species, as well as a set of four seed-focused lessons that can be adapted for all grade levels.
Project WILD Training
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 9 am - 4 pm at Viles Arboretum in AugustaProject WILD is an activity based, experiential learning, curriculum guide. It provides wildlife-based environmental education activities that are hands-on, easy to use, and fun. This award-winning curriculum teaches the fundamentals of wildlife ecology, conservation, and ecological issues. While also developing natural science knowledge and critical thinking skills across several different discipline areas. The activities complement existing curricula, Maine state standards, and national academic standards.
This training includes a copy of the Project WILD Curriculum and Activity Guide and snacks! Please bring your own lunch. Register here!
Rural Thrive "What I Need (WIN)" Funds
We know that rural teachers are talented professionals who often face barriers to getting the support they need to access continuing education: Fewer local professional development offerings, insufficient district funding, lack of substitute teacher availability, transportation costs, and trainings that are poorly aligned with rural school or community needs.
To address this, the Rural Thrive project is making a pool of funds available to support rural teachers in accessing what they need to support their longevity, resilience and growth in the profession of teaching using a responsive low-barrier grant disbursement model. Up to $2500 are available per teacher.
Maine Forest Technician Curriculum
MaineTREE is seeking educators who teach environmental science, forestry, wildlife, and related classes, as well as FFA programs, alternative education programs, and CTE schools with natural resources, forestry, and outdoor leadership programs, to participate in a project to develop a high school level Maine Forest Technician Curriculum.
Through a grant from Maine Timberland’s Charitable Trust and a Maine DOE Climate Education Professional Development grant, we are:
Working with Educators and Natural Resource Professionals to co-create a curriculum for Maine-specific forest and natural resource-based units for courses like yours.
Beginning in November, we are offering a 20-hour professional development series, which will run to April break:
One-hour live sessions will occur every other week, will include perspectives from educators teaching similar classes and programs, natural resource professionals, and space for you to express your needs for curriculum resources needed for you or your students
The weeks without live sessions will include short (~one-hour) asynchronous learning materials review.
$1,000 stipends and 20 contact hours are available for participants who complete the series, which includes submitting feedback forms for the webinars and resources you’ve reviewed or used with students.
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