|
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry?s Maine Forest Service is pleased to announce the launch of a new statewide education program, the Adaptive BMP Cooperative (ABC), designed for all those involved in Maine?s forest products industry. ABC will make it easier for forestry and logging professionals to find recognized, quality BMP training programs and identify professionals who have participated in those training programs.
ABC endorses forestry training programs that integrate specific adult education principles and practices and meet strict training quality criteria. The program is guided by an advisory panel that includes logging contractors, professional foresters, forest products companies, non-profit organizations, and state agencies.
ABC is currently endorsing trainings on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for forestry. BMPs are voluntary, recommended measures and procedures applied in timber harvesting operations that, when used appropriately, protect water quality and related resources.
ABC does not develop or provide training. Instead, ABC endorses, upon request, training programs developed and implemented by organizations involved in Maine?s forest products industry. Training programs endorsed by ABC are assessed by two reviewers with expertise in forest or water resource management and adult education. Final endorsement by ABC requires the approval of the advisory panel and the Director of the Maine Forest Service.?
The training programs currently endorsed by ABC include Stream Smart Phase One, Stream Smart Phase Two, Fundamental BMPs to Protect Water Quality on Haul Roads and Skid Trails, and Fundamentals of Road Maintenance Using Graders. Additional training programs are expected to be endorsed by ABC through 2024.
More information about this important educational program can be found on the ABC website. Visitors to the site will find a calendar of upcoming endorsed training programs, full descriptions of these trainings, and a searchable list of training program participants.
WHEN:???????????
Thursday, December 7, 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.
TOPICS:
Chaga Mushrooms ? A New Revenue Opportunity
Landowners are evaluating new revenue streams from their land, adding to timber income.? Growing Chaga mushrooms is emerging as one of those sources, compatible with timber harvesting.? JustNiks Mycosilva LLC is the leading Chaga mushroom cultivator in the world, who contract to purchase back all the Chaga from private forest owners. By growing Chaga, forest owners can generate an additional income stream from their forest while promoting sustainable practices. By cultivating a high value chaga biomass on an otherwise low value tree, the company adds a unique link in the forest management value chain. Come hear Justin & Nikki Triquet, owners of JustNiks Mycosilva LLC, talk about this emerging opportunity, and how this additional revenue stream fits with traditional forest management activities.
Domestic Trade Grant ? Opportunity for Funding
The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development has a grant program that provides between $25,000 and $250,000 (depending upon the size of the company) for activities related to increasing domestic sales.? The grants are open to businesses in pandemic-impacted industries (including the forest industry) across the state for activities that are directly related to increasing market reach and expanding sales activities.? Come hear about this opportunity, which has a currently open round with a December 15 deadline, and another round expected in Spring 2024.? This is a rare opportunity to get funding for marketing, trade shows, and similar activities.
Pre-registration is requested by Tuesday, December 5, 2023 (today!) to assure an accurate head count for meals!
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Maine Forest Service (MFS), has a current vacancy for a Senior Planner (Landowner Outreach Forester) in Augusta, Maine. MFS is looking for candidates with a passion for promoting good forest stewardship throughout Maine, as well as initiative, program management, and people skills.
Brief Job Description:??The work is interdisciplinary, implementing Maine?s Be Woods Wise Program, a forest education, training, and outreach program, with the goal of sustaining wildlife habitat, recreation, water quality, and timber values on Maine?s family woodland ownerships. The position plans and implements landowner assistance programs, including outreach & educational materials, financial incentives, training events, and other learning opportunities. The position responds directly to landowner and other inquiries. The position develops programs by working with MFS District Foresters, and regularly convenes multiple partners, including private foresters, landowners, nonprofits, loggers, and university. The position is responsible for program-related resource assessments, contract preparation and administration, on-site monitoring, and evaluation.??The position manages all aspects of large federal grants, including proposal, budget, and report preparation.??Frequent statewide and overnight travel and evening and weekend work may be required.
Minimum Qualifications:??A?Bachelor?s?or graduate degree in forestry, natural resource management, or a closely related field, and four (4) years of related work experience. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
Preference will be given to those applicants possessing the following skills and abilities:
-
Proactive planner: Ability to think creatively and demonstrate initiative. Ability to independently set and meet deadlines and complete multiple projects over long time periods.
-
Curious communicator: Ability to listen actively, communicate clearly, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of interests.?Knowledge of and experience in advanced adult education and outreach techniques.
-
Collaborator & administrator: Ability to plan and coordinate meetings and other means of engaging with stakeholders. Knowledge of federal grant programs and general grant administration procedures.
-
Forest steward: Knowledge and experience of the full range of forest values, forest management principles, practices, and procedures. Competent and comfortable in the woods.
Preferred Licensing requirements:? The preferred applicant will possess licensure as a Licensed Forester from the Maine State Board of Licensure of Foresters or be eligible based on forestry education and experience to pursue licensure. Candidates without such qualifications, but who have direct knowledge and experience of woodland stewardship, forestry, or land use conservation practices, will also be considered.
|
