ANDROSCOGGIN VALLEY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ON THE ROAD

The Conservation District has begun 2011 on a fast pace.  In January we  took a display and informational handout materials for the Ag Trade Show booth at the Augusta Civic Center and District Day for the Legislators in the State Capitol Hall of of Flags. To allow local input for the Natural Resource Assessment Inventory being conducted by Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Soil and Water Conservation District, we held a public meeting and made surveys available. A strategic plan for the next five years are being compiled.  In February we hosted a  Basic Wastewater System Installation and Maintenance workshop.  In addition we have begun planning for the Southwestern Regional Envirothon (a competition testing the knowledge of natural resources for high school students) held on May 17th at the Auburn Land Lab, a Basic Erosion and Sediment Control workshop was offered April 20th at the Bath City Hall (see workshop page), and offered workshops in June covering Forestry Taxation and Practice Law Changes impacting the Realtors' clients.

Events in 2011

January -- Agricultural Trade Show, District Day at State Capitol Hall of Flags, Natural Resource Assessment Inventory Public Meeting

 February -- Basic Wastewater System Installation and Maintenance Workshop

March -- Forestry Workshop Planning, Natural Resource Assessment Draft Report, Farm Bike Tour Planning

April -- Basic Erosion Control Workshop

May -- Regional and Maine Envirothon competition for high school students and fundraiser sales

June -- How Forestry Tax Laws and Practices Impact the Realtor's Clients

    13th  in Bath from 1 to 4 pm

    14th  in Auburn from 9 to noon

    24th Beginners Handheld GPS Workshop at Bowdoinham Town Hall

    24th Solutions to Gravel Road Problems at Sabattus Town Hall

July 24th

    Maine Open Farm Days

    Second Annual Androscoggin County Farm Bike Tour in Durham--CANCELLED due to lack of registrations

August--Planning month for 2012 workplan, budget, workshop agendas, grant writing

September--finalizing field season projects

October

    2nd through 9th Fryeburg Fair Booth Outreach

Events Covered in 2010

October 3 - 10: Fryeburg Fair --  in the Natural Resource Center Building

October 5: Bates College -- Bug survey

October 12 - 13: Maine Municipal Association Convention:  be sure to stop at the Maine Soil and Water Conservation Districts booth

October 13,14,19 or 20: Maine Rural Waters Association offers Workshop in Richmond. Click here.

October 21-23:  Click for more info--Kennebec Woodland Partnership Conference

November 30:  Click for more info--Climate Change Workshop

December 1 - 3: Maine Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting and Auction

December 15: Local Work Group--with focus of determining priority categories and ranking values of conservation practices for the USDA Farm Bill

Gravel Roads Construction and Maintenance

The Conservation District would like to know if there is interest in a "Gravel Roads Construction and Maintenance" with a hands on Front Runner Training session.    The workshop has proven to assist camp owners having difficulty accessing their camp because of the poor condition of the camp road.  We offer the course at a  cost of $35/person which includes light refreshments and materials.  We will give an additional discount to groups of three or more (3/$96 or $32 for each person in a group of 4 or more).  The Conservation District also has a Front Runner that can be leased by those trained to use this equipment. 

Email:  jane.heikkinen@me.nacdnet.net.  Be sure to include you name, address, phone number, and e mail address for each potential person who might attend.

Volunteers Wanted!

The Maine Department of Agriculture needs help to get the word out about invasive forest insects.  For more information click here.