4 Reasons NESAF is New England’s Best Forestry Conference

March 21, 2017 By FSM

Two weeks ago Maine hosted the annual winter meeting of the New England Society of American Foresters (NESAF). Nearly 450 foresters, wildlife biologists, entomologists, and students traveled to Bangor from across New England to share ideas and talk shop—all in the shadow of Maine’s most famous (albeit fictional) forester, Paul Bunyan.

Group photo at NESAF 2017 — Some of those at the conference gathered around the Paul Bunyan statue for a group photo.

In the Age of the Internet, professional development opportunities are more accessible than ever before. With so many conferences and webinars out there, what makes NESAF stand out? Here are four reasons why we think NESAF is New England’s most worth-while forestry conference, and why we are already looking forward to 2018:

A huge variety of topics. This year’s theme was Adapt, Adopt, Advance: Resiliency in Natural Resource Management. A key tenant of the conference was that forests have changed over time and so has the profession of forestry. Foresters, wildlife biologists, and entomologists continue to innovate so they can manage our woods and wildlife with the best and latest scientific knowledge and technology. Presentations and work sessions covered a huge range of topics, from improving forest resiliency to remote sensing technology; the effect of winter ticks on Maine’s moose, to a new program for Wabanki youth melding western philosophies of science and management with the rich Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Maine’s tribes. Whatever your interest, you can learn about it at NESAF.
Spending time with colleagues—and meeting new ones. The 2017 NESAF meeting wasn’t just for foresters; it was also held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the Maine Chapter of The Wildlife Society and the Northeastern Forest Pest Council. When you bring foresters, wildlife ecologists, entomologists, forest pathologists, and technology experts all together in a room at the same time, exchanging ideas and sharing knowledge, good things are bound to happen. NESAF helps build camaraderie among natural resource professionals (and sometimes a sense of competition—more on that, below!).
Reliving college rivalries. Ask any NESAF attendee to name one of their favorite events, and there’s a good chance they might say, “Quiz Bowl.” Every year, several New England forestry schools field undergraduate teams who compete in a Jeopardy-style contest, complete with judges, and an audience of conference attendees. Alumni and students alike have fun cheering their alma maters on—or matching their wits against the participants by (silently) attempting to answer questions before the students in the hot-seats.(And by the way, all of the FSM staff who attended NESAF are UMaine alums. Go Blue!)
Recognizing the best of us. NESAF’s annual awards banquet celebrates the accomplishments and service of both up-and-coming and veteran natural resource professionals. Hearing about their achievements and goals is always inspiring. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!

This year the Forest Society of Maine had a special reason to love NESAF: the meeting was organized through the efforts of many hardworking volunteers, led in large part by General Chair Kristen Hoffmann, who is one of FSM’s three excellent forestland stewards. Congratulations to Kris and her army of volunteers who made the conference possible. Thanks for a great NESAF 2017—we’ll see you next year in New Hampshire!

FSM Leads Project to Conserve 4,358 Acres Near Katahdin Iron Works

January 13, 2017 By FSM

The Forest Society of Maine has conserved 4,358 acres of forestland surrounding Silver Lake and 12 miles of the West Branch of the Pleasant River in Piscataquis County, Maine. These lands are visited each year by thousands of people from Maine and afar for fishing, hiking, camping, paddling, hunting, snowmobiling, and more. The property’s popular campsites and access to the river and lake are part of the amenities important to the region’s recreational and tourism economies. Public recreational access is now guaranteed forever.

The Forest Society of Maine (FSM) needed to raise $4.35 million for this acquisition. Success was made possible with the help of many partners and supporters. Leadership gifts were provided by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Jane’s Trust, the Knobloch Family Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Sweet Water Trust, and the Wyss Foundation through the Open Space Institute.

The project safeguards vital river habitat for Eastern brook trout and Atlantic salmon spawning, and habitat for American black duck, Canada lynx, Northern long-eared bat, wood turtle, bald eagle, and many other species of state and national significance. The project additionally protects a 400-acre mature silver maple flood plain forest—one of the largest and best examples in Maine.

These newly conserved lands, adjacent to the historic Katahdin Iron Works, help buffer this state-owned site. The Katahdin Iron Works operated from 1843 – 1890 and employed 400 people at its peak of operations. It used wood from these forestlands to operate its blast furnaces and kilns. Remnants of this operation can still be found. The area also became a popular tourist destination in the 1890s with the Silver Lake Hotel drawing visitors from across the country, attracted by the scenic setting and abundance of fish and wildlife. The hotel no longer stands, but the region’s beauty and natural resources persist and are now conserved for future generations.

The remarkable mix of ecological and recreational values found here made this a high priority project for us, especially as it is fills a key gap in the network of two million acres of already conserved lands in this region of Maine’s North Woods,” said Alan Hutchinson, FSM’s executive director.

The Forest Society of Maine worked with Conservation Forestry—a New Hampshire-based timber investment firm and the owner of these lands since 2009—to develop a conservation future for the property, recognizing the special ecological and recreational values found there. As part of the plan that was developed, FSM was charged with finding an appropriate group to own and manage these lands. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has become that owner and the Forest Society of Maine holds a conservation easement on the lands.

The Silver Lake – Pleasant River lands are adjacent to AMC’s 70,000 acres of other conservation holdings in the area which provide the focus for its Maine Woods Initiative, an innovative approach to conservation that combines outdoor recreation, resource protection, sustainable forestry, and community partnerships.

Silver Lake and the watershed of the West Branch of the Pleasant River are an ecological treasure trove of plant and animal life. We are honored to be the new stewards of these spectacular lands and waters, and are committed to their protection and accessibility for nature-based recreation,” said Walter Graff, senior vice president of the Appalachian Mountain Club. “This parcel will also allow us to expand our outreach to local youth by providing new and accessible water-based opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing,” Graff said.

The Open Space Institute (OSI) filled a key role in facilitating project success and funding. “For more than two decades, OSI has been on the ground helping conserve Maine’s recreational lands, pristine rivers, and working forests. The Silver Lake – Pleasant River project builds on these past successes and will deliver unparalleled recreational opportunities for the people of Maine and those who value this extraordinary setting,” said Kim Elliman, OSI’s president and CEO.

OSI’s contribution to the project would not have been possible without the Wyss Foundation’s support for our Eastern Lands Initiative, which aims to protect wilderness landscapes up and down our nation’s east coast.”

The Forest Society of Maine extends its deep gratitude to the people and organizations whose help resulted in permanently conserving these thousands of acres of woods and waters in Maine’s North Woods that are so special to many people and many species of wildlife.

Press coverage of the Silver Lake – Pleasant River project in the MaineBiz.

Click on the map below for a larger view of the Silver Lake – Pleasant River Project lands.

Annual support helps make forestland conservation possible

December 28, 2016 By FSM

Thank you!

Donors give FSM the capacity to work with forestland owners on new conservation projects while overseeing one million acres of already conserved lands.

Each year those from Maine and beyond who care about Maine’s vast forestlands make it clear from their contributions that these woods and waters hold a special place in their hearts. We’re proud of what’s been achieved these past 12 months and hope that you will be too, as you read about the places that have been permanently protected for people and wildlife forever.

Three projects completed so far in 2016,
and counting…

Amazon – Musquash

The Forest Society of Maine worked with Downeast Lakes Land Trust (DLLT) to complete a decade long landscape conservation initiative in the Downeast Lakes region. This summer DLLT closed on their 21,000-acre Grand Lake Stream Community Forest project, and, as part of that transaction DLLT donated a 7,100-acre conservation easement to FSM.

West Branch of the Dead Stream

In July FSM completed the West Branch of the Dead Stream easement in Atkinson resulting in the conservation of 2,300 acres and filling an important gap within a network of conserved lands. This project includes about 15 miles of land along Levensellor Brook and the West Branch of the Dead Stream, and complements two other easements the Forest Society of Maine holds nearby.

An autumn photo taken by FSM staff while documenting the wetlands and other ecological features of the project area.

Reed Forest

On November 14, Apple and The Conservation Fund announced the donation of a 32,400-acre conservation easement at Reed Forest to Forest Society of Maine. With support from Apple, the Fund also donated an endowment to Forest Society of Maine to ensure the easement will be monitored and enforced.

Thank You for Supporting Forestland Conservation

December 1, 2016 By FSM

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We’re grateful for our many generous supporters every day of the year, but around the holidays we take an extra moment to say “thank you.” Gifts from individuals and businesses provided half of FSM’s funding in our last fiscal year! Our members are the key to continued conservation work.

Maine’s Forests – Part of a New Future

November 18, 2016 By FSM

picture-016_wb_2008_0827_trees_web — A view of Maine’s forested landscape. FSM file photo

In October nearly 100 foresters and forestry students from around the state met at the Maine chapter of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) fall meeting to learn about and discuss topics related to forestry, interact with fellow foresters, and take part in tours and workshops.

The forest industry continues to play a big part in Maine’s economy, contributing $9.8 billion in 2014 and supporting nearly 39,000 jobs directly and through related employment. This year forest products are expected to contribute $8.5 billion to the state’s economy and more than 33,000 jobs, which is no small feat.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) from the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center. — Cross-laminated timber (CLT) at the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center.

One update that was given at the meeting is that the Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT) is looking at industry and community needs throughout the state to see what assistance will provide the most benefit. Earlier this year an EDAT team from the Department of Commerce came to “evaluate new and existing economic strategies to address the state’s forest-based economic challenges.” They have since announced that they “will invest more than $4 million to help diversify and grow the Maine economy, which includes new funds designed to aid the forest sector” according to their press release in July.

As we look to the future there are exciting new technologies being used to create new products from wood right here in Maine. One of the tours SAF offered at this meeting was a look inside the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) at the University of Maine. Some of the new products on display were nanocellulose and cross-laminated timber (CLT). Nanocellulose has many practical applications and can be used in a variety of items like recyclable foam insulation board, artificial organs, and other high-performance products. CLT is strong and sturdy and according to UMaine’s Dr. Stephen Shaler, “CLT is sometimes called plywood on steroids.”

Researchers working at the UMaine Advanced Structures & Composites Center. — Research underway at the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center.

One of the foresters who toured the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and the FBRI said that it was interesting to see the new developments in nanomaterials, and the processes being developed to convert wood to oil. He also enjoyed seeing the potential for cross-laminated timber (CLT) and learning about its structural properties.

As societal needs, the forest products industry, and the environment continue to change, the Forest Society of Maine believes Maine’s millions of acres of forests will only become more valuable for many different reasons. That’s why we’re working to conserve forestland so that it will be available to support jobs, recreation, and wildlife habitat. We’re glad to have so many foresters in this state who spend their livelihoods caring for and promoting this wonderful resource.

Thank you!

Three projects completed so far in 2016, and counting…

Forest Society of Maine

Three projects completed so far in 2016,
and counting…