Be Woods Wise
Bulletin
WINTER 2004
WELCOME TO THE BE WOODS WISE BULLETIN
This is the first issue of a quarterly newsletter published by the Maine Forest
Service (MFS) to connect Maine landowners with information about their forests,
and with the resources – people, new publications, events, websites, etc. – they
may need to make informed choices about their woodlands.
You received this newsletter because you have participated in MFS programs or
training, received cost-sharing through USDA Forest Service programs administered
by MFS, or otherwise have a role in forest land management and stewardship in
Maine.
Your woodland can mean many things to you and your family – wildlife habitat,
recreation opportunities, income from timber, or just a peaceful place for relaxation.
Stewardship means protecting and improving those things that mean the most to
you – by enhancing woodland aesthetics, maintaining forest health, protecting
soil and water resources, growing and harvesting wood or other forest products.
Stewardship means meeting your needs as landowner, while sustaining natural resources
for the future.
Helping Maine landowners make informed decisions about their woodlands is one
of our primary missions at MFS. To do that, we offer education, technical assistance,
and incentives to landowners, loggers, foresters, businesses, and other organizations.
Maine Forest Service is people – especially District Foresters and specialists
in forest health, forest products, education, and other areas – that can
help answer your questions and find the resources you need.
This newsletter gives a brief update on some of our current programs and upcoming
events. Be Woods Wise and other MFS efforts are supported by grants through the
USDA Forest Service’s Forest Stewardship Program, the USDA Forest Service’s
Forest Land Enhancement Program, and other sources.
THE BE WOODS WISE KIT AND WEBSITE
Maine Forest Service has available a popular “Be Woods Wise Kit” for
landowners. The kit consists of 5 booklets and a half-hour video introduction
to woodland management, hosted by Lou McNally. The booklets provide additional
information on options and choices for woodland owners, MFS assistance, and
working with private consulting foresters, loggers, and other professionals.
The Be Woods Wise kit may be obtained by calling 1-800-367-0223 (in state only)
or 207-287-2791. The kit is free to all Maine landowners who own 10 or more
acres of woodland.
The Be Woods Wise website, www.bewoodswise.org, includes a wealth of information,
contacts, and links to other sites for landowners and others interested in
Maine’s forests. You can also request Be Woods Wise kits online.
WOODSWISE COST-SHARE PROGRAM GETS UNDERWAY
Maine Forest Service, with funding from the USDA Forest Service, offers financial
incentives or “cost-sharing” to woodland owners to begin forest
management planning with the help of a Licensed Forester, and to implement
some recommendations of the plan. A Forest Management Plan is a written document
prepared by a Licensed Forester to help you identify and document your ownership
objectives, provide a written description of the forest and related resources,
and recommend future activities to help you achieve your goals.
WoodsWISE can provide partial reimbursement to eligible landowners for the
cost of hiring a private forester to prepare a Forest Management Plan. Applicants
must be pre-approved. Some incentives may be available for additional projects,
such as pruning, non-commercial thinning, wildlife habitat enhancement, and
other activities.
Both Forest Management Plans and Projects must be conducted with the help of
a private forester who is eligible to act as a WoodsWISE Stewardship Forester.
Signing up for WoodsWISE:
Interested landowners must apply and be pre-approved for cost-sharing, before
the work to prepare the plan or project begins to be eligible. The program
then reimburses landowners for completed work. Landowners can apply for cost-share
for Forest Management Plans at any time.
Landowners with an eligible Plan can apply for project cost-sharing during
the next open Project Application Period in January 2005. Applications are
due by January 30th in the MFS District Forester Office. Approximately $200,000
will be available for projects.
Application forms, eligibility & project requirements, and additional information
are available at http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/fpm/wwi/wwi.htm/. For additional
assistance, contact the Maine Forest Service’s Augusta office, your MFS
District Forester, or your consulting forester.
FINDING A FORESTER
One of the most frequently asked questions from landowners is, “How do
I find a forester to help me manage my woodland?”
Your Maine Forest Service District Forester is a great place to start. Ten
MFS District Foresters located in field offices throughout the state provide
information and technical assistance - and help landowners locate other foresters
in their area. MFS services are free.
Private, independent consulting foresters also provide professional services
such as forest management planning, timber harvest administration, layout,
and supervision, and other services. All foresters in Maine must be licensed.
The Be Woods Wise publication, “Working with Professionals” outlines
several important considerations in selecting a forester (as well as working
with loggers).
To find the MFS District Forester nearest you, call our Augusta office or go
to http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/fpm/ff/foresters.htm.
EVENTS
Maine Forest Service, SWOAM, and other organizations host frequent events
of interest to woodland owners, foresters, loggers, and others. Several Landowner
Workshop Series will begin in February/March. Call MFS or visit our calendar
for upcoming offerings: http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/fpm/calendar/calendar.shtml.
If you know of an event for the calendar, please contact MFS.
SMALL WOODLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF MAINE
The Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine (SWOAM) is a nonprofit organization
of people interested in the forests of Maine, particularly the land owned
by families and individuals. For over 29 years, SWOAM has worked to promote
long-term forest management and to strengthen long-term woodland stewardship.
At a time of great change in woodland ownership and wood markets, SWOAM remains
a good source of information and help for small woodland owners.
SWOAM has nine local chapters throughout the state which conduct numerous
programs and workshops; SWOAM members benefit from meeting other landowners
from their
area and learning from and sharing their experiences. At fairs and conferences
SWOAM sponsors informational sessions of interest to owners and non-owners.
Members receive an outstanding 16-page monthly newsletter providing them with
useful information on managing their woodlot, events and workshops, and legislation.
SWOAM’s forester can answer your questions and make you aware of the
resources that are available to you. SWOAM members receive special discounts
through a discount buying program. SWOAM also offers small woodland owners
a chance to have their woodlots certified as well managed.
To join SWOAM, please mail in the tear-out sheet below. For more information,
call SWOAM’s office at (207) 626-0005, email info@swoam.com, or www.swoam.com.
SWOAM Membership
P. O. Box 836
Augusta, Maine 04332-0836
info@swoam.com
www.swoam.com
( ) Student $ 10.00 ( ) Sponsor $ 100.00
( ) Individual $ 30.00 ( ) Sustainer $ 250.00
( ) Family $ 35.00 ( ) Lifetime $1000.00
( ) Contributor $ 50.00 Dues are deductible for income tax purposes
_________________________________________________________________________________
name
_________________________________________________________________________
address
_________________________________________________________________________
street/town/state/zip telephone e-mail
I own ________ acres in ________________________ County __________(date)
( ) I do not own land
"We help you make informed
decisions about Maine's forests"
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