Join FSM at the Maine Science Festival, March 28th, 2026 for Forests: Sanctuaries for Dark!
Many of us have marveled at the glittering view of the cosmos from our favorite isolated spot. But one local man took his passion for stargazing to the next level and constructed an astrophotography lab to observe and record deep space objects. Forests: Sanctuaries for Dark is a celebration of his breathtaking images and a reflection on why Maine, with its millions of acres of undeveloped, unlit forests, remains a haven for dark skies on the East Coast.

Presented by Bryan Wells maineforest – find more of his work here: https://wellsforest.com/

The Maine Science Festival will take place March 25-29 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, ME. The presentation on how the images are created will begin at 1:30 PM, but the images will be on view all day. See you there!

📷 Photo by Bryan Wells, Embryo Nebula

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Forest Society of Maine became accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2009—the second Maine land trust to do so. Accreditation provides assurance to the public that FSM is operating at a level of proficiency and excellence.

FSM is now renewing its Land Trust Accreditation Commission (LTAC) accreditation. There is an opportunity for the public to make comments, and we invite you to participate. To learn more about the accreditation program and submit comments, visit their website or comment by email. Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

To be included in consideration, comments should be made prior to July 19, 2025.

Mark your calendars! FSM is partnering with the Bangor Public Library to host the second in a series of conservation related presentations.

Maine is the most forested state in the US and holds a surprising second superlative: having more roads per person than any other state. This leads to unexpected interactions between Maine’s wildlife and our roadways. Roadways can attract snakes and turtles, deter predators and secretive birds, and serve as highways for vultures, moose, and other species to move between habitats. This talk will discuss the complex nature of road ecology, spanning a variety of species, habitats, and locations in Maine – from our wilderness areas to our downtowns.

Dr. Greg LeClair is the Municipal Planning Biologist in the Beginning with Habitat Program housed within MDIFW. Greg works with towns to help them achieve their conservation goals, including subjects related to habitat connectivity and roadways.

Learn more about the event and register at the link below

If you haven’t yet had the chance to read it, former President/CEO of FSM, Karin Tilberg, published her book, Loving the North Woods last October. It’s an inspirational chronicle for those who recognize the global importance of Maine forests for carbon sequestration and migratory birds. This book provides historical insight on conservation for those who treasure forests, own forestland, recreate in the woods, or participate in forest-related industries in Maine. All proceeds will support forest conservation.