Maine Forest Collaborative October Newsletter
And just like that, we are off and rolling into the 26-27SY! Students are beginning to examine their communities and natural resource challenges they see in their areas as they prepare for their first cohort days.
In the News
Maine Calling: Workforce development
From health care and construction to manufacturing and tourism, Maine industries face critical workforce shortages. It’s a perennial issue: How to best train people and keep them in Maine once they are ready to start their careers. We’ll learn what the state and higher education institutions are doing to address the workforce crisis.->>> Full radio session
They wanted to restore wild oyster reefs to the Maine coast. Could it be done?
A team in Phippsburg has been working for nearly a decade to get wild oysters to regenerate in Maine’s cold, turbulent waters.->>> Full article
11,000 acres of ancestral homeland returned to the Penobscot Nation
In what is the first phase of a land return project between the Penobscot Nation and the Trust for Public Land, the tribe has taken back a large swath of land just south of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
Engagement Opportunities
Green Schools Regional GatheringsThe Regional Gatherings are local, in-person events featuring practical resources, collaborative workshops, and youth-led sessions designed to foster student leadership and help participants build and implement sustainability plans for their schools. Participants will have opportunities to learn from regional success stories, share ideas, and develop strategies to support long-term sustainability action planning in their schools and districts.
View the event website to register and learn more! Registration is free and participants are encouraged to bring a cohort of up to ten students.Wednesday, October 28th at the Wells Conference Center in Orono 8:30am – 2:00pm.
Thursday, November 19th at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth 8:30am – 2:00pm.
Friday, November 6th at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay 8:30am – 2:00pm.
Maine Outdoor Career Guide - Digital Download
Check out Maine TREE's Maine Outdoor Career Guide! Digital downloads can be accessed for free here!
Forestry Innovations Day
October 23rd 9-2 Orland
Join MaineTREE to learn of innovations in forest stewardship, from management planning and operations to monitoring forest change, leveraging new technology, and inspiring the next generation of forest stewards. Participants can look forward to field sessions, live demonstrations, engaging exhibits, and local food, while connecting with fellow natural resource professionals.
Forest Literacy Online Course
Forests are more than trees; they're living systems that shape our environment, moderate Earth's climate, provide clean air, deliver pure water, support wildlife, and provide a wealth of economic benefits. But forest health is rapidly declining. To conserve forests and the many benefits they provide, we need to understand them.This free course will take about 2 hours to complete. Objectives include:
Identify and define core concepts of forest literacy, such as the components of forest ecosystems, the many benefits forests deliver, and how to sustain healthy forests and trees into the future;
Describe reasons why forests are personally, culturally, economically, or environmentally significant, demonstrating increased appreciation through reflection prompts and activities.
Identify at least one way to apply forest literacy in your own personal or professional context, whether through informed decision-making, teaching, community action, or personal engagement with forests.
Funding Opportunities
MEEA Mini Grants for Outdoor Learning
Funding for Maine public school teachers, environmental education, and Wabanaki Studies projects, Apply now for up to $1,500 for outdoor learning!
2027 Bee Grant
The Bee Grant program allows for a school or non-profit organization to receive support for an educational live bee program. The purpose of this grant is to bring live bees to campuses across the country to engage students in pollinator education, enhance STEAM skills, and develop a life-time love of conservation and environmental stewardship. In addition to live bee hives, grant recipients receive curriculum, lesson plans, and other educational materials to bring the classroom into the heart of the hive!
Application Deadline: October 15th
Rural Schools Collaborative Grants in Place
To qualify for the Grants in Place Program, teachers must be working in a public, rural school district to be considered for this grant opportunity. Rural areas fall under one of six categories of the National Center for Educational Statistics classification (you can confirm that your school is eligible by checking your Locale Number to match 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43). (UMaine is one!)
The Grants in Place Program awards one Place-Based Education grant within the general service area of each of our Regional Hub Partners. For more information on our regional hubs, see the map on our website here. A small number of additional awards may be granted to rural educators outside of RSC's Regional Hub Network.
Awardees will be announced in December 2026, and all projects will be implemented during the spring 2027 semester.
Applications open 9/8. Learn more and apply here!
eco-Impact Grants with EcoMaine
Up to $7,500 per project!
These grants provide project funds to schools and non-profit educational organizations to support new or expanding waste management projects involving students and educators in waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, or other diversion strategies. Apply by October 20th.
For Teachers
Project Wild Trainings
Project Wild, Date: Wednesday, October 7, Time: 9:00am-4:00pm, Location: Lovell
Project Wild, Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026, Time: 9:00am-4:00pm, Location: Augusta
Aquatic Wild, Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Time: 8:30am-3:30pm, Location: Holden
Outdoor Learning Day at MeANS!
November 9th - 9am - 3pmMaine Academy of Natural Sciences, Hinckley/Clinton$25 per person to cover lunch/snacksScholarships available and $50 travel stipendsThe Outdoor Learning day is a professional development opportunity to gather, share resources, and build skills - whether outdoor and environmental education is completely new for you or something you’ve been at for a long time. There will be experienced educators modeling lessons for a wide variety of grade levels and subject areas and time for debrief and discussion after each lesson. Attendees will be able to view outdoor learning infrastructure at the Maine Academy for Natural Sciences and participate in conversations about funding outdoor learning and getting started- from safety planning to behavior management. All are welcome! 6 contact hours.Register here
Using Wabanaki & Indigenous Authored Texts in the Classroom
November 7th, 10am - 12:30pm (optional lunch 12:30-1:30)Exact location TBD Wolastoqiyik territory (Houlton area)This fall, MEEA will be partnering with the Maine Department of Education’s Wabanaki Studies Specialist, Brianne Lolar, to host a workshop centered around using Wabanaki and Indigenous-authored texts in the classroom. Participants will explore a list of over 60 recommended texts, each accompanied by an educator guide complete with student activities and lessons. Each participant will leave with a free book, and we will provide guidance on how to pursue a new funding opportunity through the Maine DOE, reimbursing up to $500 per school district to purchase Indigenous-authored books for classroom use. FREE! Travel stipends, lunch and contact hours included.Register here!
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