Maine Forest Collaborative September Newsletter
- Rural Aspirations
- Sep 30
- 4 min read
Welcome to MFC 25-26!
Tri-County Tech Center (FY)
Schenck High School (FY)
Belfast Area High School (fall & spring)
Telstar High School (fall & spring)
Piscataquis Community Secondary School (FY)
We are also excited to move forward with our second year of middle school MFC this year with:
Greenville Consolidated School 8th graders
Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor 7th & 8th graders
Piscataquis Community Middle School 8th graders
In the News
New survey reveals key opportunities to strengthen Maine's outdoor industry workforce
Emphasis on work–life balance distinguishes the outdoor industry’s approach to recruitment.
Conditions are perfect in the Maine woods for moose-killing ticks
Changes in Maine’s North Woods have caused tick populations to boom, killing off large numbers of moose calves and worrying scientists who are experimenting with ways to preserve the health of the iconic animal.
Gear 'libraries' in Maine form network to boost outdoor recreation
Six gear libraries have united to create the Maine Gear Library Network, designed to expand awareness of the programs and expand access to outdoor recreation for residents and visitors.
Engagement Opportunities
Curtis Homestead Forestry Education Program
Students and teachers are invited to KLT’s October forestry education program in Turner. A professional logger, a forester, and community volunteers, join KLT staff for this annual program.
Reservations are now open for this half-day program. We are offering the following options: September 29 & 30, October 2, 6 & 7. We are flexible if you have schedule or date constraints, or have specific activities or learning objectives you would like to achieve.
Please contact John Whittaker, Communications Coordinator, to register your class or for more information: 207-377-2848, jwhittaker@tklt.org. Registration is first come, first served.
Observe a timber harvest
Learn about KLT’s forest management plan, including goals for,
habitat improvement, income, education, and recreation
Understand how loggers can protect soil, water, and wildlife
See a portable sawmill demonstration
Explore careers related to forestry and the forest products
businesses
Participate in hands-on forestry and Maine wildlife activities
Be active on our 360-acre Conservation Area
Maine Startup Challenge
Maine Startup Challenge is a business plan competition for Maine’s startup ecosystem. Our goal is to encourage participation and entrepreneurial thinking across all ages and stimulate the next generation of innovative Maine entrepreneurs. Business plans will be judged by a panel of Maine investors and entrepreneurs. MSC will kick off again in Fall 2025. Until then, leverage the lesson plans and templates below to refine your idea.
K-8, High School, College, Open - Interested in learning more about MSC or bringing it into your classroom? Complete this form or email nina@maineventurefund.com to get in touch.
Funding Opportunities
Bringing Acadia to Students Through an Outdoor Classroom
Outdoor Classroom grants are available for early learning centers and pre-K through 12th grade public schools in Maine to build an outdoor classroom at their site. Funding is provided through Friends of Acadia to support more youth engagement with Acadia National Park.
Outdoor classrooms must be hosted on school grounds and can be used in every season. While all subjects and curricula can be presented in an outdoor classroom, schools must provide a curriculum link to Acadia National Park to receive grant funding through this program.
NRCM Sustainability Grants
NRCM is offering grants of up to $2,000 for schools organized nonprofit committees, municipalities, and community libraries to help them reach their sustainability goals.
The Sustainability Grant Program encourages communities to adopt innovative, practical, and effective measures to reduce waste. This grant program helps schools, municipalities, and other nonprofit entities share the tools, knowledge, and skills to prevent waste at the source, and divert valuable resources from the landfill.
Deadlines:
- September 12th
- December 5th
For Teachers
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.Apply here!
Preserving Ash, Protecting Traditions
Saturday, September 27, 2025, 10:00 am-4:00 pm@ Wildlands, Half Mile Field, Don Fish Road, OrlandAn event focused on learning effective strategies to preserve ash and its unique cultural and ecological value, featuring expert talks and live Wabanaki basketmaking demos.Registration and more info at greatpondtrust.orgOther Upcoming Events
Check APCAW's events page for more details
August 26th: Downeast Audubon presents Collective Strategies for Ash Tree Resilience in the Face Of Emerald Ash Borer, 7pm-8:30pm, @Moore Community Center (Ellsworth, ME). Learn more here.
September 11th: Maine’s Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry presents: Emerald Ash Borer Update for Cities and Towns, 9:30am-12pm @ Belfast City Boathouse (Belfast, ME). Register here.
September 16th: Oxford County Ash Seed Collection Training with Tyler Everett and Ella McDonald, 4-6 pm @Classroom at Robert's Farm of Western Foothills Land Trust (Norway, ME). Learn more and register here. Flier attached - share widely!
September 20th: APCAW will present at the Common Ground fair, 10am @Low Impact Forestry Tent (Unity, ME). Fair information here.
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