Area High School Students Compete in Envirothon
The 2008 Northern Maine Regional Envirothon was held Tuesday, May 20 at the Meduxnekeag Ramblers Snowsled Club in Littleton. Six high school teams participated in the Envirothon competition, an outdoor event where students work as a team and test their knowledge of natural resource issues by solving hands-on problems associated with aquatics, forestry, wildlife, soils and a current natural resource issue.
Each year Maine's 16 conservation districts help to coordinate six regional competitions for Maine students, culminating in a statewide finals event. This year, the State competition was held at Unity College on May 29. The top three teams from the Northern Regional Envirothon event were Hodgdon, Ashland and Caribou Alternative with Lee Academy as the fourth and alternate team. Winning team members from Hodgdon included Ethan Roberts, Jamie Ryan, Taylor Hovey, Ashley Ballanger, Michael Morey, Annie Hare and coach Malcolm Nesbitt.
The top State team will have the opportunity to travel to Canon's North American Envirothon competition, to be held this year at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona on July 28th until August 3rd . Additionally, any prospective Maine college freshmen who has participated in Envirothon is eligible to apply for two $2,000 scholarships for the University of Maine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture.
SASWCD Holds Annual Banquet
The Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District held it's annual banquet on Thursday, April 10th at the Meduxnekeag Ramblers Snowsled Club in Littleton. Over 40 people attended this year's banquet and enjoyed an excellent meal catered by Cathy Bither. Guest speaker Lamarr Clannon's, "Weathering the Storm: How to Plan for Growth While Protecting our Children's Water" talk was both entertaining and informative. An award's presentation was then held. District Chairman Perry Lilley presented awards to Donald Fitzpatrick and Kevin and Kristi Brannen of Spring Break Maple and Honey. District Soil Conservation Tim Yarab presented the Conservation Farmer of the Year award to Steve Whited of Whited Farms and Don Collins and Andrea Newman presented a Conservation Partner Award to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
Donald Fitzpatrick - Lifetime Conservation Award
Donald Fitzpatrick was the recipient of the first ever Lifetime Conservation Award from the district. Donald was a long time member of the SASWCD board of supervisors and has hosted a Conservation Demonstration Day and a Soil Health Field Day for the district on his farms. Donald has also incorporated a number of conservation practices on his land over the year and recently has been an active participant in our winter cover and mulching program. Pictured above are District Chairman Perry Lilley with Dorothy and Donald Fiztpartick.
Steven Whited - Whited Farms - Conservation Farmer of the Year
Whited Farms was the recipient of our annual Conservation Farmer of the Year Award. They have integrated a number of on farm conservation practices in recent years, including grass waterways, crop rotations, mulching and strip cropping and have participated in the Conservation Reserve Program. Pictured above are District Soil Conservationist Tim Yarab with Perry Lilley and Steven Whited.
Kristi & Kevin Brannen - Spring Break Maple & Honey - Diversified Farmer Award
Kevin and Kristi Brannen operate Spring Break Maple and Honey in Smyrna. They currently tap 3500 trees and have 25 beehives and operate a retail location on Route 2 in Smyrna and sell their products through a website and local grocery stores as well. Pictured above are Perry Lilley with Kristi and Kevin Brannen.
Brenda Commander - Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
Outstanding Conservation Partner
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians has been an active partner with the district for a number of years. They have participated in tree planting and soil erosion control projects and were the recipient of funding for the winter cover crop and mulching project that the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District administered. Pictured above is HBMI's Environmental Planner, Sharri Venno, who accepted the award on behalf of the tribe.