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Southern Aroostook SWCD Events

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September 12: Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Maine are involved in Envirothon, a natural resources competition for high school students. This fall the SASWCD is hosting the northern Envirothon fall field day where students are provided hands-on learning activities in soils, aquatics, forestry, and wildlife. The field day will be held at Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle and resource sessions will be led by local professionals. Contact the SASWCD if your school is interested in beginning an Envirothon program.

September 28: Tree Pruning Within Town Settings: 9am - 11:30am with Maine Forest Service forestry pathologist Aaron Bergdahl, Project Canopy director Jan Santerre, and district forester Lauren Ouellette. This workshop is targeted to Public Works personnel, Public Utilities, Arborists, and Foresters. Forest pathologist Aaron Bergdahl will discuss pest and disease threats and how to prune to reduce likelihood of decay while maintaining trees for overall health. Outside location will demonstrate proper pruning techniques and importance of branching and tree structure. Houlton Water Company will also discuss pruning with overhead wire interference. Workshop will begin at 9am at the Houlton Town Office, 2nd fl. Class is FREE and no pre-registration required. FMI contact the SASWCD at 254-4126 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

September 28: Tree Pruning for Homeowners: 12:30pm - 2pm with Maine Forest Service's Project Canopy director Jan Santerre and district forester Lauren Ouellette. This workshop is for homeowners wanting to learn proper pruning techniques on yard and garden trees, including timing pruning for tree health. A variety of pruning hand tools will be demonstrated and participants are encouraged to bring their own pruners. 12:30 meet at the corner of Park and High Streets. Class is FREE and no pre-registration required. FMI contact the SASWCD at 254-4126 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LakeSmart Program through Maine Lakes (www.lakes.me): The Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District is the Resource Hub for this program in Aroostook County. There are many simple actions homeowners can take to protect the lake they love. If you live on a lake and are interested in learning more or want to find out if your lake is involved with this program that helps preserve water quality and the value of your lake property, please contact us at 254-4126.

GRANT PROJECTS

PROJECT CANOPY GRANT - The SASWCD was awarded a 2020 Project Canopy Grant, a community forestry program of the Maine Forest Service, to conduct a street tree survey in Houlton. The project has been completed with a written report provided to the Town of Houlton that includes recommendations and guidance on future maintenance and tree plantings within the town. Tara King, GIS specialist with NRCS, developed an interactive map of surveyed trees that allows users to glean specific information on the trees. The online map can be accessed at ArcGIS Dashboards. The District has a new Project Canopy Grant and will begin planting 15 trees in three designated neighborhoods in town in September. Like SASWCD's FB page to learn more about this planting project.

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About Soil and Water Conservation Districts:

Soil and Water Conservation Districts work as the grass roots connection between local, state and federal agencies and producers and have done so since 1935, when Congress agreed to a Soil Conservation Service after spending an afternoon in session with skies darkened by soil particles blown in from the Great Plains. The Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District became recognized under Maine State Law in January of 1942. Since then, the SASWCD has grown from working with farmers as conservation "cooperators" to include all landowners.

Education for all landowners is an important part of our work. Check out listings under "Education" and "Fundraising" to see what is happening this fall in Southern Aroostook.