Maine Forest Service
|
Date: January 13, 2026, January 27, 2026, February 10, 2026, February 24, 2026.
Location: Digital Webinar
Your land is part of your legacy. Planning what will happen to it after you are gone is a critical step to being a good steward. In fact, it may be the most important step you can take as a landowner—not just for your benefit but for the benefit of your family, your community, and the land itself.
Join UMass Extension and guest speakers for a free, four-part webinar series about planning the future of your land. Attend some or all the webinars. Get information. Ask questions. Hear the experience of other landowners.
-
January 13: Getting Started with Conservation-based Estate Planning
-
January 27: Passing on Your Land Using a Will or Trust
-
February 10: Permanent Land Conservation Tools
-
February 24: Becoming a Landowner
Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Lamoine Community Arts Building, 7 Lamoine Beach Road
Cost: Free (includes lunch)
Field Trip: Park Lamoine State Park (following lunch), short walk to local woodlot for guided walk.
If you own woodland in Downeast Maine, you're facing threats that weren't on your radar five years ago. Japanese stiltgrass is spreading. Emerald ash borer is here. Beech leaf disease is damaging trees across the region. And red pine scale is becoming a growing concern for softwood stands.
The good news? You don't have to figure this out alone.
Free Workshop Brings State Experts to Hancock County
On Friday, January 30, 2026, the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a comprehensive Forest Health Workshop designed specifically for woodland owners like you. This isn't a generic forestry seminar, it's a deep dive into the invasive pests and diseases currently threatening your woodlot, plus a hands-on field demonstration.
Six experts from across Maine will cover the topics that matter most right now:
-
Early detection tools you can use to spot invasive plants before they take over (including hands-on training with the iMap system).
-
Current pest and disease threats specific to Downeast Maine; what's here now, and what's coming.
-
Practical management strategies that actually work for small woodlot owners.
-
New financial assistance programs, including the WoodsWISE Resiliency cost-share program launching in 2026.
-
NRCS forest management plans and how to access funding opportunities.
You'll hear from the Maine Forest Service entomologist tracking these pests, the invasive plant biologist leading early response efforts, your local district forester, and USDA conservation experts who can help you access financial support.
Plus: A Real Woodlot Walk
After a hot lunch (included free), we'll head to Lamoine State Park for a guided walk through an actual woodlot. This is your chance to see management strategies in action and ask questions in the field.
This workshop is co-sponsored by Maine Woodland Owners, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The 2026 Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser Catalog is now available both in print and online! Pre-orders can be placed online or by mail through Friday, April 17, 2026.
This year’s pick-up dates are:
-
Saturday, May 9 Plus, enjoy Cash & Carry shopping on Saturday, May 9 at Union Fairgrounds.
With more than 180 varieties to choose from, there’s something for every gardener:
-
Bareroot fruit trees and berries for your home orchard
-
Native conifers, deciduous trees, shrubs, grasses, and vines for conservation and landscaping
-
Native, organic, Maine-grown perennials and herbs in 1-gallon pots to attract pollinators
The catalog includes new varieties and trusted favorites, along with detailed descriptions and cultural requirements to help you select the right plants for the right place. Additional plant care fact sheets and images are available on our online store and website.
Proceeds from this fundraiser supports youth and adult conservation programs throughout the year.
|
|
