AUGUSTA — Maine Soil & Water Conservation Districts, under a grant from the Invasive Forest Pest Outreach Project of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, are offering a series of free presentations in August and September for landowners and users, landscape and forest professionals, and all residents of the state. Presentations are designed to help participants
- identify current and potential invasive forest pests and their host species,
- understand the threats to our forests and woodlands posed by these pests, and
- learn how to report suspected pest sightings or damage to trees that may be a result of pest infestations.
All participants will receive an information folder with fact sheets about the major pest species and “look-alikes,” a list of host trees that the species may be found on, and other relevant information.
Programs have been reviewed and, depending on length, may be approved for the following recertification credits:
- Professional CFE credits by the Society of American Foresters
- Pesticide Applicator credits by the Board of Pesticides Control
Currently Scheduled Workshops around the state:
- Wed. August 30 from 6:30-8pm at Belgrade Lakes Center, 137 Maine St, Belgrade Lakes, FMI: Dale Finseth, 622-7847 x3
- Wed, September 6 from 5:50-7pm at Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Rd, Topsham FMI: Josie Lahey, 251-3574
- Tue, September 12 from 6:30-8pm at Rockland Public Library, 80 Union St, Rockland
FMI: Hildy Ellis, 596-2040 - Sat, September 16 from 1-3pm at Belgrade Lakes Center, 137 Maine St, Belgrade Lakes FMI: Dale Finseth, 622-7847 x3
Also, look for our forest pest displays at the following upcoming events:
- August 19-26 Union Fair (Knox County)
- August 23 & 24 Maine Farm Days in Clinton (Kennebec County)
- August 26 Acton Fair (York County)
- September 9 Wells Forest Tree Farm Field Day in Milford (Penobscot County)
- September 18 Farmington Fair Ag Day (Franklin County)
- September 22-24 Common Ground Country Fair in Unity (Waldo County)
- October 14 A Day in the Woods at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson (Lincoln County)
- November 11 Craig Brook Fish Hatcher Spawning Festival in East Orland (Hancock County); display & mini-presentations throughout the day
- November 11 & 12 Maine Harvest Festival in Bangor (Penobscot County)
This material is made possible through a grant from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and is funded in part by a Cooperative Agreement from the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The USDA and DACF are equal opportunity providers and employers.
—Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
For more articles out of New England, click here.