Foresters for the Birds Lands in Maine

June 12, 2014

The Downeast Lakes Land Trust was pleased to welcome the Forest Guild for a workshop on Forest Management for Maine Birds on May 30th. The Foresters for the Birds program is a silviculture-based landowner outreach tool that helps foresters use birds to tell the story about how forest management activities can help enhance migratory songbird breeding habitat. Designed so that the birds tell the story, the program encourages woodland owners in a positive manner to take stewardship steps on their property. This program has been successfully underway in Vermont and is expanding to other states, including Maine.

Foresters met at the School Building in Grand Lake Stream and learned about the program’s goals as well as brushed up on their bird identification skills.  Speakers included Sally Stockwell from Maine Audubon, and  Amanda Mahaffey from the Forest Guild. They explained local efforts to revamp the tool for Maine’s forest and ownership landscape, outlining the partnership between Maine Audubon  the Forest Guild and others.  Touring the DLLT’s spruce-fir-hemlock stands, they introduced participants to the potential use of this tool on large ownerships dominated by softwoods.

“It’s a new way to talk to land holders about habitat values that we’ve been trying to address with them all along.  It will broaden the conversation about habitat beyond just managing for game.” said one participant.

The Downeast Lakes Land Trust regularly hosts speakers, sponsors workshops, and leads outdoor adventures that highlight the natural and cultural history of the Maine woods and waters.  These programs support the DLLT’s commitment to protecting both the environmental and economic health of the Downeast Lakes region. Visit their website to discover what is happening next.