Low impact forestry workshop coming to Piscataquis County on Aug. 31

DOVER-FOXCROFT — It is not uncommon for landowners in Piscataquis County to own several acres of woodland. There are a variety of options for these residents to manage their woodlots and over the years, the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) has worked to provide educational programming on techniques and practices that can be used to better and profit from their woodlots. The PCSWCD is excited to be partnering with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) to host its Introduction to Low Impact Forestry Workshop at the Law Farm public land, offering yet another informative workshop to help landowners better manage their woodlots.

The Introduction to Low Impact Forestry workshop will be held on Thursday, Aug. 31 with a rain date of Friday, Sept. 1. The workshop is designed for stewards of small or large woodlots who are interested in safely developing a set of skills to cut and harvest wood products in an ecologically sound tradition. This workshop is intended to bring participants up to speed on low impact forestry principles and practices. Topics will include silviculture, woodland ecology, soils, tree identification, an overview of logging equipment, legal considerations of forestry activities, minimizing residual stand damage, creating management plans, and much more. This course is equivalent to MOFGA’s Low Impact Forestry 101 course and counts as a prerequisite needed to take the Low Impact Forestry comprehensive workshop, which will be in November.

The Introduction to Low Impact Forestry workshop will be taught by a dynamic team of foresters, landowners, loggers, and natural resource experts. Participants will come away from this course with information on how to sustainably harvest and manage their woodlots. This workshop is a great option for small farmers, homesteaders, and landowners looking to better utilize their woodlots.

Registration for this workshop will go through the PCSWCD and is required in order to attend. For more information and to register, please contact the PCSWCD at 564-2321 extension 3 or info@piscataquisswcd.org.

Photo courtesy of Anna Mueller/MOFGA
MAKING A LOW IMPACT — Workshop participants practice newly learned low impact forestry techniques. The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District is excited to bring this hands-on program offered by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association to Piscataquis County on Aug. 31 at the Law Farm in Dover-Foxcroft.