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District offers hands-on chainsaw safety workshop April 26

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) takes pride in offering in-demand programs. In 2018 we offered two sessions of Chainsaw Safety for Women, both sessions filling in only four days. Considering this overwhelming demand and the feedback we received from both men and women, we are once again offering a Chainsaw Safety Level 1 Workshop, open to all, on Friday, April 26 (rain date is April 27) at the Law Farm.

Many of us own woodland. Do you utilize this land? Perhaps you would like to learn chainsaw skills to take care of downed trees on your property, or clear deadwood in preparation for storms or the winter season. Perhaps you would like to start harvesting your own firewood. Whatever the reason, learning chainsaw skills can be both hugely beneficial and intimidating. Maybe you have been using a chainsaw for years, yet you know you could be doing more to protect yourself when using the machine. Many don’t know where to begin when approaching the idea of using one for at-home purposes. This workshop is designed to demonstrate and comfortably introduce the concept of working with a chainsaw to all experience levels. What’s even better, participants will learn alongside two fantastic presenters and a small group of individuals.

The Chainsaw Safety Level 1 Workshop will provide participants with a well-rounded introduction on how they should safely handle, maintain and use a chainsaw. We will be hosting presenters Sam Heffner and Pam Wells and together they will provide hands-on instruction, demonstrations and information.

Heffner has worked as a forest ranger with the Maine Forest Service for 12 years and has eight years’ experience instructing chainsaw safety workshops to various organizations. Additionally he was a professional logger for several years and has competed regionally and nationally in the Game of Logging. Wells and her husband Bryan own 1,031 acres of woodland just outside the Orono area, which she works to maintain, enhance and restore. Additionally, Wells is enrolled at the University of Maine in the Forestry program and has a background in social work. She loves her chainsaws and is looking forward to helping folks get comfortable working with them.

Workshop topics will include an overview of chainsaw safety equipment and features, maintenance, sharpening, proper cuts, a step-by-step tree felling demonstration and more. Much of this workshop will be hands-on and participants will come away feeling comfortable handling and working with a chainsaw.

Space is limited to 15 participants and we encourage folks who are interested in joining us to register soon, as we expect this course to fill. There is a registration fee required and if you would like to join us, you can reserve a spot through our online store at www.piscataquisswcd.org, give a call to our office at 564-2321 ext. 3 or email us at info@piscataquisswcd.org.

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