Forestry

Join Joe Dembeck from the Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation District to learn about USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cost-share programs available to provide financial support to woodland owners managing their land for timber quality, wildlife habitat and forest health. We’ll discuss both the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the new Conservation […]

Join Michael Friedland to learn about Maine's lumber economy. Friedland is the owner of a socially and environmentally conscious lumberyard in Southern Maine that uses a farmers' market model to aggregate and sell products from small sawmills. We will discuss the difference between sustainable forestry and sustainable forestry products and explore opportunities and obstacles to […]

This introductory one and half-day in-person field course is suitable for new or beginning chainsaw operators, and is designed to serve women and non-binary participants. Our overwhelming focus is on safety and creating a space where participants feel comfortable asking questions and learning at their own pace. Chainsaws are serious business. Topics to be covered […]

Join Conservation biologist Aleta McKeage to learn about the role assisted tree species migration may play in maintaining resilient forests in Maine and help MOFGA and Waldo SWCD establish a small climate-adapted tree research site. During this hands-on volunteer workday, we'll briefly discuss the stresses native trees are currently experiencing, explore the risks and benefits […]

This introductory one and half-day in-person field course is suitable for new or beginning chainsaw operators. Our overwhelming focus is on safety and creating a space where participants feel comfortable asking questions and learning at their own pace. Chainsaws are serious business. Topics to be covered include personal protective equipment (PPE), saw operation and maintenance, […]

This introductory one and half-day in-person field course is suitable for new or beginning chainsaw operators. Our overwhelming focus is on safety and creating a space where participants feel comfortable asking questions and learning at their own pace. Chainsaws are serious business. Topics to be covered include personal protective equipment (PPE), saw operation and maintenance, […]

This half-day field course taught by foresters, soil scientists and experienced land managers is a great introduction to the basics of forest ecology and active stewardship. While touring Hidden Valley Nature Center, we will cover woodland ecology, silviculture, legal issues, management plans, forest tending activities and more. Designed for those with beginner to intermediate experience […]

Join us for a moderate hike to explore both managed forests at MOFGA and unmanaged old forests along the Hills to Sea trail. We’ll discuss the value of unmanaged, late-successional forests for carbon storage and healthy ecosystems, and see some spectacularly large, old trees. Leaders Buck O'Herin and Aleta McKeage will also share information about […]

Learn the basic skills needed to safely use a winch-equipped farm tractor in the woods. This beginner-level course will cover basic tractor and winch operation, building hitches, skid trail layout, landing management and techniques to limit residual stand damage. The course will not include hands-on tree felling instruction. Please bring a lunch.$100; $75 MOFGA members.REGISTER […]

Learn safe chainsaw operation in this one-and-a-half-day course open to femme, non-binary, trans and women participants. We'll cover personal protective equipment (PPE) and chainsaw selection and practice safe handling and open-face bore cutting techniques with instructor supervision. Designed for beginners.  Our overwhelming focus is on safety and creating a space where participants feel comfortable asking […]