I worked in the woods long enough to recall that fieldwork once required a trustworthy map (typically a USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle), a sturdy compass adjusted for declination, a write-in-the-rain field book, and if you were well-equipped, a printed copy of an aerial photo. Like phone booths, 3-wheeled ATVs, typewriters, and banana seats on bikes, those tools are mostly things of the past. Today?s field foresters, ecologists, and recreation specialists work with a sophisticated set of mobile mapping and database tools that greatly facilitate field data collection and transcription. The only downside: it takes all the fun out of getting lost ? unless your battery dies!

Along with 60 other staff from across the Department, I recently participated in an in-house webinar showcasing many of our new mapping tools in various stages of development and application. Staff are using Survey123 and Field Maps to collect and transfer field data on the spot, we?re using dashboards to simplify and summarize that data, and we?re using drones to capture real-time imagery of forests, fields, and wetlands. I?m so proud of the huge strides we?ve made in this area in just a few years, and the popularity of our recent training speaks to the traction these new tools are receiving. Enormous thanks to DACF?s GIS technical team for leading the way! Now if only I could figure out how to reset my new smartwatch?

Photo:?Mobile GIS applications like Field Maps are quickly becoming standard tools for fieldwork.?

~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

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The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands is pleased to welcome Jacob Pliskaner as a Forester within the Eastern Region Public Lands. In this role, Jacob will join a team that ensures sustainable forest management on Maine?s Public Reserved Lands.

Jacob grew up in Massachusetts near the border of New Hampshire and spent considerable time growing up around Parsonsfield, Maine, as he has family ties to the area. He attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent, where he obtained an A.S. in Forest Management and a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) before transferring to the University of Maine Orono to complete his B.S. in Forestry and continuing to obtain a Master of Forestry degree. Jacob was previously employed as a Field Forester for Irving Woodlands LLC in Northern Maine. He also held numerous part-time jobs and summer internships in the forest industry for multiple large landowners. Throughout his academic and professional career, he has gained a wide variety of experience in tasks including managing tree planting and pre-commercial thinning crews, harvest and road layout, timber cruising, and assisting in aerial herbicide application along with the generation of maps. Jacob also worked for the Cooperative Forestry Research Unit during the academic year to help monitor the status of spruce budworm throughout the state.

Jacob enjoys anything that can get him outside, including upland bird hunting, canoeing, and downhill/cross-country skiing. Professionally, Jacob is interested in GIS, Silviculture, and forest operations. He is excited to join the team managing the Eastern Region?s Public Lands and to apply his interests and experience toward forest management that sustains the full range of values the resource offers.

~ Doug Reed, Region Manager, Eastern Region Public Lands

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Spring has officially arrived which means that another camping season is right around the corner! Beginning on Monday, May 22 the Maine State Parks Campgrounds will open their gates for the 2023 reservation camping season. Looking to go earlier? Participating parks open on Monday, May 15 for first-come-first-serve camping.

Reservations are always highly recommended as locations can fill up fast, so plan your summer stays at Maine State Parks Campgrounds today by heading online to www.CampWithMe.com or by calling our helpful Reservation Call Center staff?at 1-800-332-1505 within Maine or 207-624-9950 for out-of-state callers.

We hope to see you all soon!

~ Abigail Andreasen, Campground Reservations Manager

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Significant renovations to the Colonial Pemaquid boating facility and access roadway are underway and scheduled through the third week of May. Access to the site will be difficult at times as crews replace culverts, add new surface gravel, and pave the roadway and parking areas at the launch. Work is planned for completion by May 25.

Thank you for your patience during this much needed renovation.?

~ Thomas W. Linscott, Director, Boating Facilities Division

The Submerged Lands Program?s Harbor Management and Access Grant (HMA) application season is now open for municipalities to apply to?upgrade or create new public access to coastal or great pond waters, or hardware such as lifts on municipal piers for commercial fishing use. The HMA grants provide an opportunity for the Submerged Lands Program to balance the public?s right to access state waters with demand for private and commercial use of those waters. Lease and easement revenues are used to fund this process to support harbor planning and public access improvements through grants to municipalities and state agencies.

• The application deadline?is May 19 for the 2023 Submerged Lands Harbor Management and Access Grant.
• The maximum grant amount is $15,000;
• A 25% match is required from the municipality, which can be an in-kind contribution or actual funds.
• Download and complete the application.?
• Learn more about the work of the Submerged Lands Program.

Questions? Contact John Noll at [email protected]

Photos - Top: A 2022 HMA Grant was awarded to the City of Saco to replace the hydraulic lift at the City?s pier to accommodate commercial fishermen.
Bottom: A 2022 HMA Grant was awarded to the Town of Woolwich to create ADA access to Nequasset Lake at the Town?s public park facility; the concrete ramp accommodates hand-carry boats and swimming.

~ John Noll, Chief Planner, Submerged Lands Program

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Are you ready to get outside, explore, and connect with the natural world? Join a team of dedicated members who are committed to conservation and community engagement in Maine?s diverse wilderness, coast, and mountains. Members gain hands-on experience and receive ongoing training, a weekly living allowance, discounts on outdoor gear, a Maine State Park Pass, networking opportunities, and more!

Current AmeriCorps service opportunities include:

• Environmental Steward Sites:
  • Greenhorns (900-hour AmeriCorps term)
    Position Dates: June 5 - November 13
  • The Nature Conservancy (675-hour AmeriCorps Term)
    Position Dates: June 5 - October 6
• Field Team Member (675-hour AmeriCorps term)
  • Position Dates: June 12 ? October 13
  • Application Deadline: Monday, May 8
• Field Team Member (450-hour AmeriCorps term)
  • Position Dates: July 24 ? October 13
  • Application Deadline: Monday, May 8

~ Sara Knowles, Director, Maine Conservation Corps

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Calling all bird lovers! Join us for fun and informative days of birdwatching and education. Feathers Over Freeport will feature hands-on activities, and plenty of opportunities to spot a variety of beautiful birds. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just starting out, this event is for you! Don't miss out on this chance to connect with other birders and nature enthusiasts and learn about fascinating creatures.

Schedule:

Saturday, April 29 - at Bradbury Mt. State Park from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 30 - at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• View the complete?Feathers Over Freeport schedule.

Maine forager and author Tom Seymour will lead a walk on the groomed trails of Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park in search of early wild edibles. Tom will identify common forest, meadow, and possibly seaside plants that have medicinal or nutritional value.

Date: May 13
Time: 1-2:30 pm
Location: Holbrook Island Sanctuary, Brooksville
Meet at:?Backshore Trailhead parking area along Indian Bar Road on Cape Rosier in Brooksville. (Three Miles Off Route 176)

Details and program flyer.

There is no fee for this program and Holbrook Island Sanctuary is always free for entry.

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Hiking trails create pathways into forests and windows to seemingly timeless cycles of nature. This is perhaps never more apparent than following snow melt when certain wildflowers take advantage of the moment and burst forth from the newly unfrozen earth. Spring ephemerals - herbaceous flowering plants that sprout leaves, bloom, and produce seed early in spring- are especially connected with hardwood (deciduous) forest stands. In these temporarily open-canopy woods, ephemeral wildflowers- such as trillium, trout lily, and others ? take advantage of the open sunlight and ample moisture to spring into action.

Where can you experience spring wildflowers? The answer is that they can be found all across the state at different times, recognizing that spring ?arrives? at different times in the mountains and in the north. Some suggested Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands hiking trails to try include the North and South Loop Trails at Pineland Public Land, trails at the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, Dodge Point Public Land, the Sanders Hill Trail at the Kennebec Highlands Public Land,?Bald Mt. Public Land?s hiking trail, the Ponds Loop Trail at Little Moose Public Land, Amherst Mts. Community Forest Public Land, and Aroostook State Park.?Of course, there are many more options at other Maine State Parks and Public Lands not mentioned here.

Reid State Park remains closed to all visitors. This includes walk-in access. This is out of concern for the safety of our visitors during the construction of a new park entrance station, and the bridge at Griffith Head which was destroyed by a winter storm.?The improvements to Reid and other State Parks are supported by funding through the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan.

We look forward to everyone enjoying these new modifications this summer! Text REID to 888-514-7527 to subscribe to updates from the park and to get notified of the park's reopening.

~ Haylee Parsons, Park Manager, Reid State Park

Note to park users: While this construction has caused short-term inconvenience for visitors and staff, it has enhanced project efficiency and has reduced visitor risks. The project started during winter when it would impact visitors less. We apologize to all friends of Reid State Park for the project requiring extra time. We ask for your patience and support for the park staff diligently managing these projects. We intend to be open at some point in May. This inconvenience will soon be a thing of the past, and the park?s infrastructure will be strengthened for many years.
~ BPL Director Andy Cutko

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Maine Conservation Corps field teams are?Leave No Trace experts, as they often hike hundreds of miles and camp in remote areas during their term of service. They know how to leave a beautiful trace, too - their handiwork, born of muscle and sweat - makes for improved visitor experiences. Respect their hard work and do not hike during mud season. If the trail is mostly dry with occasional mud - walk through it. Please do not widen trails by walking around mud patches. Getting your boots muddy is better than compacting soils and killing trailside plants. As any gardener will tell you, stay out of the garden when it is wet if you want to foster healthy soil and plants.

Springtime in Maine means any weather is possible - snow at high elevations and in northern Maine and cold hard rain anywhere in the state. Snowmelt combined with rain can lead to treacherous road and trail conditions. If your tires or boots are sinking in, it is time to turn around and head toward your plan B road or trail. Otherwise, you risk harm to yourself and certain damage to the travel surface.

Please plan ahead and prepare and stay safe out there!?Thank you!?

Photo courtesy of the Maine Conservation Corps.

~ Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

The world-famous Smokey Bear artwork of Rudy Wendelin, whose work is credited with?immortalizing Smokey in pop culture history, will be on display at the Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk, ME through May 12.

When camping at a Maine State Park Campground, please only build a campfire in an authorized fireplace. Keep your campfire small and attended. Put the campfire out completely and make sure it is cold to the touch before you leave it. No matter where you camp or build a campfire, please follow their fire safety rules. As Smokey says, "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires."

Get a burn permit before burning brush piles, wood debris, or starting an agricultural burn.

Fire Safety Resources from the Maine Forest Service

• Facts about Wildfires
• Wildfire Danger Report?
• Maine Burn Permit System

Thank you!

~ Kent Nelson, Fire Prevention Specialist, Maine Forest Service

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