Blackstone ‘surprised and humbled’ by PCSWCD honor

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    SOUTH SANGERVILLE — The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District held a dual celebration at the South Sangerville Grange on Sept. 27 as the organization marked its 70th anniversary and presented its Conservation Educator of the Year Award.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    EDUCATOR HONORED — Dawna Blackstone of Shirley was honored as Outstanding Conservation Educator of the Year by the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District at their 70th anniversary celebration on Sept. 27. Pictured, from left, are PCSWDC Educational Coordinator Kacey Weber; Blackstone; and PSCWDC Board Chairman Gordon Moore.

    While the district has usually selected a classroom teacher for its top educational honor, this year was different, according to Board Chairman Gordon Moore. “We looked for someone in the county who has done exemplary work,” said Moore. “And this year, it was a non-traditional educator.”
    Their choice: Dawna Blackstone of Shirley, the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Regional Education Coordinator.
    PCSWCD Educational Coordinator Kacey Weber introduced Blackstone, who “brought natural resource and outdoor educational programs to every grade in every school in Piscataquis County.”
    In addition to bringing the programs to the local schools, Blackstone “has also led student trips to AMC’s Little Lyford and Gorman Chairback Lodges where she has provided low-cost, hands-on outdoor educational programs for children of all ages. The students who enjoy these trips get to experience the outdoors and Maine’s natural resources through exploration and activities such as hiking, fishing and much more,” Weber said.
    She also noted that Blackstone has also worked with local libraries and other nonprofit organizations to promote healthy lifestyles for youngsters.
    Blackstone said she was “surprised and humbled” by the honor. “But without great organizations, schools and teachers, my job wouldn’t be possible.”
    She praised PCSWCD for supporting her efforts through youth summer camps and promoting conservation of soil and water resources. “Without your support, I could not do what I’m doing (with AMC),” Blackstone said. “You have been a tremendous help.”
    Blackstone has also been a school health coordinator and part-time health teacher for Greenville Consolidated School for the past eight years.
    Special guest speaker at the ceremonies was Tom Gordon, the executive director of the Maine Association of Conservation Districts, who praised PCSWCD as “my favorite district … I’ve always had a great love of this county and the work you’re doing here.”
    He recapped the history of soil conservation districts nationally, noting that they were formed in response to the Dust Bowl disaster of the 1930s — “one of the biggest environmental disasters we’ve seen in our nation.”
    The issue in the forefront today, said Gordon, is soil health. “We’re all familiar with the diversity of wildlife in our forests and we all recognize that the oceans teem with life,” Gordon said. “But it’s often forgotten that there’s a tremendous amount of life in the soil. In one acre-foot of soil, there are literally millions of microbes. And they are vital to the ecology that makes our soil productive.”
    PCSWCD was also presented with legislative certificates in recognition of its 70th anniversary from U.S. Sen. Angus King by his regional representative Elizabeth MacTaggart; from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins by staff intern Elsa Thibodeau; and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud by district manager Chris Winstead.