Women and Our Woods Group Forms in Downeast Lakes Region
February 4, 2015
Installing new tubing. Courtesy of Chandler’s Sugar Shack
In Maine, 85,000 small woodland owners own over 4.6 million acres of land. Many women who traditionally left the details of taking care of a woodlot to their husbands find themselves faced with a steep learning curve on how to manage their land. Other women may find themselves as new woodland owners and unsure of where to turn for helpful information.
To meet these needs, the Forest Guild is leading a Women and Our Woods program designed to educate women woodland owners on all aspects of woodland ownership-setting objectives, meeting with resource professionals, and harvesting timber thoughtfully to achieve desired outcomes. Women and Our Woods is open to both landholders, and women who work in or with the woods. It offers training workshops in a learning environment that empowers women to take action and make informed decisions about our land. Licensed Maine foresters can help you map out forest ownership goals, choose the right logger, or navigate forest taxation laws. Local forest landowners such as the Downeast Lakes Land Trust will host workshops and events that put women woodland owners in touch with information, tools, and resources to help guide forest management decisions – and perhaps most importantly, connect women woodland owners with each other.
Women and Our Woods Tree ID and FIG Plot Workshop
Saturday, March 7, 2015 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Lee Academy, Lee, ME
Have you ever wondered what kinds of trees are in your woodland and how they are measured? In this half-day workshop, we will learn how Forest Inventory Growth (FIG) plots are used to study the Maine woods. Outdoors, we’ll walk in the woods and learn how to identify trees in the winter. Our time indoors will include a discussion on your questions on forest management with fellow women woodland owners and women foresters.
This workshop is offered free of charge. To find more information and to register, please contact Amanda Mahaffey at amanda@forestguild.org or (207)432-3701, or visit www.womenowningwoodlands.net.
Women and Our Woods Woodcock Count Workshop
Tuesday, May 12 (rain date Tuesday, May 19) 6:30-9:00 p.m. Talmadge, ME
Woodland management plays a big role in supporting habitat for the American Woodcock, a Maine bird whose population has seen long-term declines in the eastern U.S. In this evening workshop, we’ll start with a potluck discussion of your woodland management questions. Then as sunset approaches, we’ll walk to an excellent spot for observing the amazing courtship display of this special bird. This workshop is open to women woodland owners and bird enthusiasts alike.
This workshop is offered free of charge. To find more information and to register, please contact Amanda Mahaffey at amanda@forestguild.org or (207)432-3701, or visit www.womenowningwoodlands.net.
Women and Our Woods Workshop
Friday, July 10 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Talmadge, ME
Do you or your family own a woodland? Have you taken the time to plan and care for your land? If you’re like most women woodland owners, there are 101 reasons why not, but on July 10, the excuses end. Join fellow women woodland owners and foresters for this day-long workshop designed for YOU. Bring your questions about forest management. Share your story of why your woodland is special to you. These indoor and outdoor talks will connect you with knowledge and resources needed to help you take care of your woodland.
This workshop is offered free of charge. To find more information and to register, please contact Amanda Mahaffey at amanda@forestguild.org or (207)432-3701, or visit www.womenowningwoodlands.net.
Women and Our Woods Stream Team Workshop
Friday, October 2, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Milford, ME
Streams and rock walls can be magical places in the woods. This indoor/outdoor workshop will feature the story of a stream alongside a rock wall that was part of a shingle mill in the mid-1800s. Today, the woodland owner is working with a “stream team” of fish biologists and foresters to create better trout habitat. Women woodland owners are invited to join us for this woods walk and discussion about working with professionals to set and achieve your objectives for your land.
This workshop is offered free of charge. To find more information and to register, please contact Amanda Mahaffey at amanda@forestguild.org or (207)432-3701, or visit www.womenowningwoodlands.net.
