AUGUSTA — Maine Woodland Owners will once again host its annual Forestry Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 14 on the second floor of the North Wing of the Augusta Civic Center on the second day of the Maine Agricultural Trades Show. This is a free event and open to the public.
Forestry Forum is Maine Woodland Owners’ largest indoor event of the year and will be conducted both in-person and online. Doors open at 8 a.m. and will start with a brief Maine Woodland Owners member meeting at 8:30 a.m., followed by an announcement of the Maine Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year winner. Lunch will be made available for purchase in the meeting room at noon and the program will close at 3 p.m.
The day will feature presentations focused on topics of interest to woodland owners and stewards alike. The morning session will include a timber market update with Eric Kingsley of Innovative Natural Resource Solutions LLC followed by a presentation from Dr. Jessica Leahy from University of Maine’s School of Forest Resources and her graduate students discussing the results of a comprehensive survey conducted among Maine woodland owners. During the afternoon sessions, wildlife biologist Autumn Randall will provide an overview of the many ways owners can observe wildlife in their woods, including audio recorders and game cameras. Maine Forest Service entomologist Mike Pariso will provide an update on the latest research and information about the most prevalent forest pests and diseases that are impacting Maine’s woods.
In lieu of a keynote speaker, Maine Woodland Owners will instead recognize the incredible contribution of long-time Executive Director, Tom Doak, who will be retiring at the end of January. Doak has served as the executive director of Maine Woodland Owners (formerly the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, or SWOAM) for over two decades, during which he has shaped the organization’s advocacy, conservation, and educational efforts. Doak will provide his thoughts about the experience and the changes he has seen, and will participate in a Q&A session where he will have the opportunity to share his stories. That will be followed by a tribute by those who know him well and an introduction of his successor Amanda Egan, who will offer her thoughts about her ideas serving as the next executive director.
Additionally, Maine Woodland Owners is holding an online auction with unique items including handmade wooden items, equipment, art, and interesting experiences such as a tour of the Brant & Cochran axe making shop in South Portland. The online auction will be open until 5 p.m. on Jan. 14, just after the end of the Forestry Forum. There will also be a live auction during the event. Featured items include a sculpture created by chainsaw wood carver Josh Landry, the creator of the sculpture that Stephen and Tabitha King commissioned for their home in Bangor, a restored vintage axe made by makers in what once was the “Axe Capital of the World” Oakland, Maine, and a gift basket from Maine Cabin Masters.
Maine Woodland Owners was formed in 1975 as an educational organization dedicated to providing knowledge and technical support for Maine’s small woodland owners. Their goal is to increase landowner engagement and long-term stewardship to ensure the health of Maine’s forests. Maine Woodland Owners is the only statewide organization supporting Maine’s 86,000 family woodland owners. For more information about the event and how to attend, including accessing the link to attend online, visit Maine Woodland Owners website, www.mainewoodlandowners.org, or contact Jennifer Hicks, director of communications and outreach, at [email protected] or 207-626-0005.
