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2010
Educational Workshops Projects & Programs
Yardscaping
- February 23rd, 6PM – 8PM: Gary Fish,
Manager,
Pesticide Programs, Maine Board
of Pesticides Control
will lead a discussion on the benefits of Yardscaping to reduce
pesticide and fertilizer use and promote plantings for wildlife. There
will be a short break and snacks provided. ($5.00 fee)
Wood Duck Box
Workshop - Early March, 9:00AM – Noon:
At the district office and a local bog. A Wildlife Biologist will
educate participants on wood ducks and nesting boxes. The field trip
will focus on the nesting environment. Pre-registration is required.
Vernal
Pool Workshop - April 24th,
Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD)
along with the Natural Resource Education Center will host a vernal pool
workshop. Gordon Moore of the Maine Forest Service will lead a classroom
session at the Nickerson Elementary School and then a field trip to a
vernal pool site. Topics will include vernal pool identification,
habitat management guidelines, monitoring & regulations. CEU’s
available. ($10.00 fee)
Tree/Plant Sale - the week of April 26th - April 30th:
Pickup date for pre-orders.
(Order
deadline is Wednesday, March 10th.)
We offer
a wide variety of trees, shrubs and plants for sale including many other
items for your gardening and Yardscaping needs. We welcome you to take
a look at our order form and contact us to make a purchase.
Trout
Sale for Stocking Ponds - Saturday, May 8th:
pickup
date for pre-orders (Order deadline is Wednesday, May 5th) This is for
private pond stocking with rainbow and brook trout; requires a Maine
Department of Inland Fisheries Wildlife permit. You may download the
permit application and trout order form from our website.
Tree
Pruning Workshop - TBA May - August:
Pete
Lammert and Gordon Moore of the Maine Forest Service will educate
participants on pruning forest and street trees. This will be geared to
the needs of woodland owners and municipalities in this region. Offered
by the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine.
Blueberry Integrated
Crop Management (ICM) - May - August: This is a monitoring program for blueberry producers to
identify any potential problems. Soil and leaf tissue testing is done
through the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension. This is no
longer available as a cost share program from NRCS.
Envirothon for High School Students - TBA May:
This is
an outdoor natural resource competition for high school students.
Student teams are led by volunteer advisors who help students prepare
for stations on water quality, wildlife, forestry, soils and current
events. Winners at regional events may go to state, national and
international competitions and win scholarships. PCSWCD will be
co-hosting a Mock Envirothon with Penobscot County Soil and Water
Conservation District in the Forest at the University of Maine in Orono.
Demonstration Forest Tree Planting - TBA May:
The
PCSWCD will be planting trees, shrubs and grasses for wildlife
at the Demonstration Forest in Williamsburg.
Demonstration Forest Volunteer Day - Saturday, June 5th:
American Hiking Society's National Trails Day® is held the
first Saturday of every June, and is America's largest celebration of
trails and the outdoors. Join us at the Demonstration Forest in
Williamsburg on this day to participate in trail work projects in the
morning and an educational workshop in the afternoon. Please
preregister.
Natural
Resources Summer Camp - Monday thru Friday, June 28th - July 2nd:
Held for children, ages 7 thru12. Our camp, based out of Foxcroft
Academy’s Student Center, includes educational presentations regarding
forestry, soils, eco-life, bugs, water quality and wildlife. Our camp
is based on the emphasis of environmental learning with many hands-on
opportunities. The children get to learn from professionals in natural
resource fields. We will be leading the children in nature based crafts
and game playing when the end of the day allows.
Agricultural Tours Summer Camp - Monday thru Friday, July 12th - July
16th:
Held for
children, ages 7 thru12. Our camp visits many local farms to help
satisfy children’s inquiries regarding milking farms and the cows that
reside in them, fruit and vegetable growing, the involvement of horse
care, buffalo raising techniques, and the maple syrup production
process. Specialties are sometimes offered such as riding a horse, going
on a hay ride and picking fresh strawberries. Our camp is well known for
making new friends and having fun!
Rain
Garden Workshop – TBA July:
Lynn
Lubas of the PCSWCD will explain what a rain garden is and the benefits
of creating one in your landscape. After the discussion, there will be a
chance to see a rain garden planted at the Thompson Free Library in
Dover-Foxcroft.
Gravel
Roads Maintenance Workshop and Front Runner Training - TBA July:
This
workshop for municipalities, private road owners and road associations
focuses on road maintenance for prevention of soil erosion and non-point
source pollution and protection of water quality utilizing a frontrunner
grader/raker. Front Runner Rental is available at $75.00/week
to all participants who complete the workshop.
Annual
Conservation Teacher of the Year Award - TBA for July or August:
Each year we honor one Piscataquis County teacher for their natural
resource education efforts. Nominate a colleague by contacting the
District office by Tuesday May 4, 2009.
Annual
Tour and Luncheon Banquet - TBA August or September:
We will
honor a local farmer in regards to their conservation practices. Join
us to tour the landowners’ farm along with a Natural Resources
Conservation Service speaker and learn first hand from them. We will
then all participate in a luncheon picnic banquet. Nominate a local
farmer for this award by contacting the District office by May 3rd.
Demonstration Forest Open House - TBA September:
We will
host a tour at our forest in Williamsburg Township, offering informative
lectures embracing wildlife habitat, tree and plant species and forest
management practices. We may present topics on our local cultural
heritage while standing in the midst of history and touch on our
geocache in our forest.
Student
Field Trips to the Demonstration Forest - TBA September and October:
The District along with professionals from the Department of
Conservation and other natural resource agencies host field trips for
local school students as learning grounds regarding forestry, wildlife,
soils, tree, leaf identification, geocache and other similar topics in
our outdoor classroom. Our field trip includes educational stations and
hikes through the woods. These trips can be tailored to group needs.
Contractor Certification Program - Year Round:
We are
able to offer evaluations of construction sites on behalf of the Maine
Department of Environmental Protection’s Contractor Certification
Program. We also offer the assistance in understanding erosion control
practices as well as supporting contractors in compliance with the
state’s erosion and sediment control law.
Watershed Stewards Program for Lake Associations and Homeowners – TBA:
Landscape and property management practices are taught to help protect
water quality and enhance pristine lake waters. By empowering
landowners with informative knowledge they need, they can take an active
role in adding beauty, increasing property value and providing
recreational opportunities throughout the seasons
Individuals, students, families and civic organizations are encouraged
to get involved in conservation efforts by volunteering to assist with
our programs. We also have volunteer opportunities at our office and/or
serving on the district board. Any interested individuals may contact
us for more information. Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation
District is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
Our mission is to be a leader in agriculture, forestry, and other
natural resource education providing assistance and coordination of
resources and information
to promote practices that maintain our way of life.
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