Let’s face it. Snowmobiling through the Maine wilderness is not everyone’s cup of tea. The machines are noisy. And, according to snowmobile writer Rod Fraser, “a two stroke driven snowmobile emits more pollution than a car.”

Even though the snow keeps falling, we are starting to see and hear the signs of springtime! Now is the time to plan ahead for your orchards, gardens, and natural landscape. The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District Tree and Plant Sale pre-order deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 27, with pickup from April 29 through May 3.

If you’re preaching a prophecy of doom or are red-faced angry about Gov. Janet Mills’ budget or her budget address, delivered Monday night, then you probably also get mad at vanilla wafers.

Richard Gurney of Rockwood maintains a bait pile on Brassua Lake that he allows local friends to use, whether they choose to hunt coyotes over it, or just sit and take photos of the scavenging animals that visit for a snack.

Pine Tree Hospice will be hosting Trivia Night at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street, starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8, with a snow date of March 15. Organizers thank event sponsors Will’s Shop ‘n Save and Rowell’s Garage for their generosity in helping bring this event to the community.

Last spring, I wrote about a project to prevent invasives from gaining access to Rainbow Lake. Rainbow Lake is one of just a dozen waters in Maine that holds native Arctic charr. In fact, Maine is the only state in the lower 48 to have any native Arctic charr. These fish are very sensitive to aberrations in the natural ecosystem.

The same four entities will be showing the state’s boys and girls high school basketball tournament games this season either online or on the TV, according to Dick Durost, the executive director of the Maine Principals’ Association.

America’s longest-serving conservation organization, the Appalachian Mountain Club, is teaming up with the country’s top ranked environmental nonprofit, The Conservation Fund, to protect nearly 27,000 acres of working forestland in Maine’s North Woods.

As I listened with anticipation to President Donald Trump outline his administration’s vision for leading our country forward in his State of the Union address, I was disappointed he didn't talk about one of the most important issues of our time: the threat to our country, our world and our entire global economy of climate change, especially given the bipartisan bill just introduced in the House of Representatives.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is excited to be once again be hosting CJ Walke, orchard specialist at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, for another installment in its orchard series. Walke will teach a hands-on workshop on pruning fruit trees on Saturday, March 2, with a snow date on Sunday, March 3 -- location to be announced upon registration.