Maine Forest Collaborative September Newsletter
Welcome to MFC 26-27!
Tri-County Tech Center (FY)
Schenck High School (FY)
Telstar High School (fall & spring)
Greenville Consolidated School
Tremont Consolidated School
In the News
Northern Woodlands: Forests in a Changing Climate
As the climate changes, forests in the Northeast already face warmer winters, longer growing seasons, heavier rainfalls, drought, and shifting species distributions that alter how forests grow, regenerate, and respond to disturbance. This booklet describes the ecological impacts of such changes and practical strategies for managing forests under increasingly uncertain conditions.->>> Full PDF download
UMaine graduate student is turning wood waste into next-generation manufacturing materials
Ehsan Ullah Sardar, a Ph.D. student with the National Science Foundation’s Maine-FOREST project, is working to develop sustainable plastic alternatives using bio-material from Maine's lumber industry. ->>> Full article
Salmon farm planned for former Millinocket mill site on hold due to tarif uncertainty
The developers of a land-based salmon farm in Millinocket say their project is on hold due to uncertainty with Canadian tariffs.
Engagement Opportunities
The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC), part of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, is asking for input and feedback through the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) Pre-Process Survey. LUPC is currently updating the CLUP for the first time since 2010, and sharing the survey can help influence how the CLUP is developed and the issues it addresses.
Maine Deer Spy
All you have to do is keep your eyes open for deer anywhere in Maine through September 30, then report any you spot using our quick and easy online form including:
Location
Date and time
The number of bucks, does, and fawns
Our biologists will take it from there. They'll compile and analyze Deer Spy observations alongside other datasets to learn about Maine's white-tailed deer population then apply appropriate management strategies for a healthy and sustainable population.Submit observations here!What' next for deer community scientists?Rut Watch 10/1-12/31Northern Maine Wintering Deer Survey 1/1-3/31
UMaine AI Bootcamp
The University of Maine will host Maine’s first Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp this fall in Orono for students in grades 9-12 for a free opportunity. The 20-hour, hands-on program is designed for students who are curious about technology, creativity, entrepreneurship or future careers, including those who have never coded or considered themselves “tech students.”
Students will:
Experiment with generative AI
Explore AI applications in health care, business, sports, sustainability, computer science and the arts
Learn alongside industry mentors and other students
Create a capstone project that uses AI to address a real-world challenge
Program details:
Dates: Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14
Location: University of Maine, Orono
Cost: Free
Experience required: None
Application deadline: Sept. 30
All necessary devices and materials will be provided. Students must attend all three sessions. Apply here
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!
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
2026 Census of Community-Based Enviornmental Learning
We’re helping spread the word about the 2026 Census of Community-Based Environmental
Learning. If you’re a classroom teacher, school administrator, early childhood educator, or
out-of-school educator or leader in Maine, your experience belongs in the statewide
picture. Take the Census: teachmeoutside.org/2026-cbel-census/ #CBEL2026
Digital NOAA Resource Kits
Engage students with these resource kits that simplify lesson planning. Each bundle is organized by grade level and topic, and includes everything from background information and interactive activities to data visualization with SOS Explorer®. Topics include ecosystems, clouds, complex food webs, and climate trends.
Wabanaki Studies Intensive
Join Bri & Kaya Lolar at an all day gathering, intended for PreK-12 classroom teachers who have completed the Wabanaki Studies: Essentials for Teaching and Learning microcourse through the DOE and who would like to bring a lesson for workshopping and feedback from Wabanaki advisors and other classroom teachers. Participants will have a chance to choose from a selection of different morning workshops led by Wabanaki advisors and an afternoon breakout session for workshopping lessons by grade level and subject area. It is free, and travel stipends, lunch and contact hours are all included.
Online Workshop: Inspiring Ideas for Interpreting Scientific Data with Artwork
September 29, 2026Zoom link available upon RSVPDuring this online workshop we will explore different ways scientific data can be expressed artistically and how these creative interpretations can more deeply engage public audiences in complex scientific concepts. We will be joined by experts from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Mount Washington Observatory, and NASA HEAT, who will share their creative approaches to developing artwork that communicates data in engaging and accessible ways.
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