Join us in highlighting conservation practices and youth activities in honor of Earth Day. Knox-Lincoln SWCD will offer fun activities, giveaways and resources for this annual event hosted by the Boothbay Library. FMI: Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library

Learn how to build and maintain a pond to enhance your landscape, increase biodiversity and maximize wildlife habitat. Presenter is Candice Gilpatric, engineer at NRCS.

This program is offered in collaboration with Boothbay Region Land Trust and NRCS.

The event will be held at Oak Point Farm and participants will visit the pond onsite.

Registration and payment required by April 9th (deadline extended).

Due to the recent snow storm, overly saturated grounds and lateness in season, this event is canceled.

We are pleased to offer a program on pruning techniques needed to keep your apple trees productive. Cheryl Denz, owner and operator of Terra Optima Farm and Landscaping in Appleton will teach this popular class!

Whether you have a small home orchard or one old tree that feeds the deer, this workshop will teach you the basic pruning techniques needed to keep your trees alive - and bearing fruit

Our class location has changed due. All registrants will be notified of new location.

• Class is held outdoors. Please dress for the weather, ground conditions and for a walk to the trees.

• Please bring any pruning tools you may have (pruners, loppers, handsaw). A limited number of additional tools will be available.

• Please bring water and snacks.

• In the event of cancellation for inclement weather, we will contact you via email by 9:00 AM

Fee: $20 per individual / $35 per couple (plus online payment processing fee).

Please join us for a presentation on Beech Leaf Disease and Treatment on April 3rd from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Town of Camden’s French Conference Room (entrance on Washington Ave).

Beech leaf disease (BLD) is a new and serious disease impacting Maine’s beech trees. The talk will cover the latest information about BLD biology, what is still unknown about the disease and current and potential practices and tools to manage BLD. Presenter Aaron Bergdahl is a forest pathologist with the Maine Forest Service. He has been actively involved with beech leaf disease at the local and national level since the disease was found in Maine in 2021.

This program will be both in person and live streamed via Zoom. The recording will be made available. There is no cost to attend; please register for either in-person or zoom. We will send the Zoom link closer to the date.

We are holding a pizza fundraiser at American Flatbread Company, 399 Commercial Street (Rt 1) in Rockport on Tuesday, April 2 from 5 to 7 pm. American Flatbread Company will donate a portion of all pizza sales from the evening in support of our youth conservation programs. Some of the winning posters from our annual contest: "May the Forest Be With You Always" will be displayed.

Banner painted by Carolyn Brown, Art Teacher at Camden Hills Regional High School

Visit us at our booth #217 at the PenBay Business & Community Expo on March 27th 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Samoset Resort.

ME DEP Basic Training for Sediment and Erosion Control Practices Certification Course -registration deadline Mon., Jan 15th - Registration is now closed.

Registration is now closed.

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District and Maine DEP are co-sponsoring a day-long event in Basic Training in Sediment and Erosion Control Practices for Certified Contractors.

This course is necessary to become a Contractor Certified in Erosion and Sedimentation Control Practices by the Department. In this 8-hour course, participants will learn why erosion control practices are important, be exposed to the principles of erosion and sedimentation, learn how to properly install and maintain Erosion & Sedimentation Control ('ESC') Best Management Practices (BMPs), regulations requiring ESC, using the Departments Permit By Rule process, in-water work procedures, and ESC planning. Participants are provided with information on the proper selection, installation and maintenance of ESC practices using Maine DEPs Erosion and Sediment Control Practices Field Guide for Contractors.

How Should USDA Farm Bill Funding Be Allocated? Local Work Group Meeting Announcement

     Lincoln County and Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Augusta field office, will host the annual meeting of the Lincoln-Kennebec Local Work Group (LWG) on December 15th, 10:00 am - noon in Whitefield.

      Taking into account local resource concerns, Local Work Groups make recommendations to NRCS on how to spend USDA Farm Bill funds for agricultural and forestry conservation practices on private lands.  

      If you are: an agricultural producer; forester, logger or private woodland owner; member of an environmental or watershed organization or land trust; knowledgeable in soil, water, plant, wetland or wildlife sciences; and/or are familiar with agricultural and natural resource concerns in Lincoln or Kennebec counties, we invite you to attend this meeting to help 1) identify and prioritize local conservation concerns; and 2) recommend how local funds for USDA Environmental Quality Incentive Programs (EQIP) will be distributed by NRCS to address resource needs.

      If you plan to attend, please call or email your local SWCD office to be placed on the contact list and receive important information in advance of the meeting, including location details. 

Lincoln County: Julie Sells, 207.596.2040, julie@knox-lincoln.org, or

Kennebec County: Dale Finseth, 207.480.3927, dfinseth@kcswcd.org.

How Should USDA Farm Bill Funding Be Allocated? Local Work Group Meeting Announcement

      Knox County and Waldo County Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Belfast field office, will host the annual meeting of the Knox-Waldo Local Work Group (LWG) on December 4th, 2-4pm in Camden.

      Taking into account local resource concerns, Local Work Groups make recommendations to NRCS on how to spend USDA Farm Bill funds for agricultural and forestry conservation practices on private lands.  

      If you are: an agricultural producer; forester, logger or private woodland owner; member of an environmental or watershed organization or land trust; knowledgeable in soil, water, plant, wetland or wildlife sciences; and/or are familiar with agricultural and natural resource concerns in Knox or Waldo counties, we invite you to attend this meeting to help 1) identify and prioritize local conservation concerns; and 2) recommend how local funds for USDA Environmental Quality Incentive Programs (EQIP) will be distributed by NRCS to address resource needs.

      The meeting will begin with an informational session from 1-2pm.  Staff from NRCS and the SWCDs will describe their programs and services and will also explain the Farm Service Agency (FSA) registration process. If you're unfamiliar with these organizations, and the purpose of LWG, you are highly encouraged to arrive at 1pm.  The formal LWG meeting will begin at 2pm and, if you choose not to participate in that funding allocation discussion, feel free to leave at that time.

      If you plan to attend any portion of the meeting, please call or email your local SWCD office to be placed on the contact list and receive important information in advance of the meeting, including location details. 

Knox County: Julie Sells, 207.596.2040, julie@knox-lincoln.org, or

Waldo County: Medea Steinman, 207.218.5311, msteinman@maineconservationdistricts.com

Conservation Bus Tour of Lincoln County

Registration Deadline Extended; Seats Still Available

From coastal communities to bucolic farmlands lands, Lincoln County offers a snapshot of the best of Maine. We will highlight four local agricultural producers passionate about their conservation practices ensuring soil health, water quality and abundant habitat for wildlife.

Participants will see conservation practices in action, learn about mitigation of invasive plant species, experience working farms and enjoy local agricultural products. We will have speakers at Singing Pastures Farm, Meadowcroft Farm, Wanderwood and Spear Farm to explain their approach.

Fee:

• Mail-in payment: $85 per person

• Online payment: $88 per person

Questions? 207-596-2040 or julie@knox-lincoln.org

Registration is required by Oct 10th. Limited seating, so please purchase your tickets today .

We set aside plants from our Spring Plant Sale in preparation of the Native Plant Sale in Camden in Sept. Due to the Hurricane, the event was cancelled. We have a number of plants that are potted, healthy and looking for a home before the snow flies. Our inventory includes: Red Cedar, River Birch, Common Hackberry, Bitternut Hickory, Honey Locust, Pin Oak, Red Oak, Sweetgum, Buttonbush, Elderberry, Steeplebush, Fragrant Sumac, and Black Raspberries.

On Friday, Oct 6th, stop by our office located at 893 West Street, Rockport from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm to purchase native plants. This will be a first-come; first-serve basis.

Checks are preferred; although, we will have credit card processing available.

Join us on the picturesque grounds of the Camden Amphitheatre on Saturday, September 16 from 9 AM to 1 PM for a celebration of native plants! This event is hosted by The Wild Ones. We will have our native plants for sale and wildflower seed mixes. There will be shopping from local native plant nurseries, educational booths, conversations with native plant growers, gardeners, and landscapers; kids’ activities, music and more. This is a great opportunity to learn more about native plants and how to incorporate them into your own garden and yard.

Please join us for great food, fellowship and announcement of conservation awards at our Annual Banquet on Wed., August 23rd from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Beaver Lodge in Hope.

Conservation Awards:

• Conservation Farm of the Year: Brodis Blueberries, Hope

• Lifetime Achievement: Sharon G. Chadwick, BenEva Farm, Warren and KLSWCD Board Member

• Excellence in Conservation Education: Shelby Chadwick, Camden-Rockport Elementary School

Rebecca Jacobs will give a presentation entitled, “Building Climate Resilience with Native Plant Species.”  The program will discuss the critical role of native plants in supporting our environment with an emphasis on incorporating them into the built landscape. Jacobs will share specific plant species for landowners to consider planting on their own property to support ecosystem health. 

Mark Hedrich, Chair of Knox-Lincoln SWCD Board of Supervisors will provide an overview of our accomplishments and our future plans. We will present Conservation of the Year Awards. 2023 recipients to be announced.

Thank you to our generous business sponsors:

Goldenrod Sponsor Level:

The First National Bank

Sasanoa Brewing

Viking Lumber

Ames Supply

Silverrod Sponsor Level:

Brooks Trap Mills

Sunrise Ecologic, LLC

Union Farm Equipment

Sponsor Level:

Mid-Maine Forestry

For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, contact Julie Sells at julie@knox-lincoln.org or call 207-596-2040.

Maine's Open Farm Day is a statewide event, started by Maine farmers and supporters in 1989. For more than 30 years, this premier agritourism event has been a way to raise awareness about farms and their importance to Maine. It is an opportunity to connect visitors to Maine farms so they may learn and see firsthand the care and effort to produce quality Maine farm products and ingredients year-round. Each site is different and offers visitors a chance to meet farmers and learn more about the role of farms across Maine. FMI: https://www.realmaine.com/activities/maine-open-farm-day-2023-listings/

ME DEP Gravel Road Maintenance Practices Certification Course

Fee: $95 per person (mail-in) / $98 per person (online)

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District and Maine DEP are co-sponsoring a four and a half-hour classroom and field event hosted by Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust.

The proper maintenance of gravel roads in Maine is important for providing residents safe access to their properties and minimizing costly capital repairs to these roads over time, but it is also an important part of protecting our natural resources from degradation. In this training, participants will learn how proper maintenance protects water quality, review gravel road materials, evaluate a gravel road for maintenance needs, create a road maintenance plan, discuss gravel road Best Management Practices, and will include a site-walk of a local gravel road to provide a real-life scenario for discussion of potential improvements and practices. This training is intended to provide a resource for gravel road owners, town officials, contractors, and watershed organizations to better understand methods and practices for evaluating and maintaining gravel roads using the Maine DEP Camp Road Maintenance Manual.

This class qualifies for 4 Continuing Education Hours (CEH) for individuals Certified in Erosion Control Practices by Maine DEP. Each CEH afford Certified individuals one year of recertification. Presented by John Maclaine Non-Point Source Training Center Coordinator and  Dave Roque, Retired Soil Scientist ME DACF.

SEA Fair, Camden-Rockport Middle School - June 2

DUE TO THE FORECAST OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS

MOVING FAIR TO CAMDEN-ROCKPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL

39 KNOWLTON STREET, CAMDEN, MAINE

(Only .6 miles from the Library)

Stop by our booth. We're excited to participate again this year.

There will be 20 environmental organizations, many offering activities for students, plus hands-on activities for elementary and middle school students including: an interactive nature-based area with Lynn Rutter of Roots n Shoots Nature-based After School Program, making wild seed bombs with Ruth Weiss from CHRHS, the S.E.A. Mobile Marine tank, an opportunity to write and draw thoughts about being a good steward on a community sign, a groundwater model from Maine Rural Water Association, Hope Elementary School’s device to test for micro-plastics, an activity with Seaside Village Pre-School, and a story and activity at 4:00 with Miss Amy from the Camden Public Library!