WHEN:???????????
Thursday, November 2, 2023
WHERE:??
Jeff?s Catering -15 Littlefield Way, Brewer, Maine
TIME:????????????
5:30 - 6:15 PM - Social ?Hour?
6:15 ? 7:00 PM ? Buffet Dinner
7:00 ? 8:00 PM ? Forum Speaker and Discussion
COST:
$25 for Members and $35 for Non-Members - Payable at the door.?
Payment via cash, check or credit card.
REGISTRATION:
Pre-registration is requested by Tuesday, October 31, 2023 to assure an accurate head count for meals!?
TOPIC:
Northeast Forest Products Industry Outlook
Join us for a presentation on and discussion of markets for lumber, pulpwood and biomass, as well as the health of the forest industry supply chain going into 2024. We will also talk about some of the new manufacturing investments being made in Maine, where both existing and emerging forest products are poised for growth.? Eric Kingsley, a forest industry consultant with Innovative Natural Resource Solutions LLC, will present his data and perspective on the region?s forest products markets and potential impacts on the economy.
USFS Grant Opportunities
Kingsley will also brief attendees on two grant opportunities ? the Wood Innovation Grant and the Community Wood Grant ? that can provide up to $1 million in funding for wood-using industries.
 In October, the Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) hosted their annual Sustainable Forestry Education Program at the Curtis Homestead Conservation Area in Leeds. Students from local schools had the opportunity to?observe a timber harvest; see a portable sawmill demonstration; learn more about sustainable forestry and how loggers can protect soil, water, and wildlife; participate in hands-on forestry and Maine wildlife activities; and explore careers related to forestry and the forest products business.?
Shortly after KLT acquired the 360-acre conservation area in Leeds, local logger Nat Bell suggested that harvesting timber on the property would be a great opportunity to educate people about sustainable forestry. Since 2009 more than 1,500 Central Maine students, parents and teachers have participated in KLT?s annual educational program.?
Nat says, ?We always ask the kids, ?What do you guys do in the woods?? Some people hunt. Some people hike. Some people ski. Some people cut firewood. Some people play tag. In a properly managed forest, you can do all of those things. You can grow big, high-value trees. You can have great wildlife habitat for hunting or birdwatching. You can have great trails to go skiing, hiking, walking ? anything.?
This program is well received by both the teachers and students. Edward Little teacher Peter Marris commented ?The Curtis Forestry Program has helped my high school students deepen their understanding of forestry for two years. My students are always excited to go on this field trip. This program brings to life what I'm trying to teach in the classroom. It gives my students a chance to see forestry practices firsthand and learn from people who actually do it for a living. This is something I can not provide in the classroom.??
The following individuals and organizations generously contributed time and resources for KLT?s 2023 forestry program:?
- Nat Bell, Logger, Leeds?
- Julie Davenport and Shane Duigan, Maine Forest Service District Foresters
- Ken Laustsen, retired Maine State Forest Service Biometrician?
For more information, please visit www.tklt.org/education or contact KLT at 207-377-2848 or [email protected]
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