Forest Health Workshop & Field Walk
Invasive pests are spreading. Learn how to detect, manage, and fund your forest protection.
EVENT DETAILS: Forest Health Workshop & Field Walk
Date & Time: Friday, January 30th from 10am - 2pm (with forest walk at 1:15pm)
Contact Info: call/text Mary at 207-667-8663 or email hcswcdinfo@hancockcountyswcd.org
Weather: I hope everyone is acclimated to the frigid weather by now, because it will be a chilly one!
Trail conditions: District Forester Stephen MacDonald and the forest landowner broke trail yesterday with snowshoes, but participants are welcome to bring snowshoes, ice cleats, or sturdy boots.
Parking at the workshop: Plenty of parking in the Grange parking lot.
Parking for the walk: Please park at Lamoine State Park (not the Beach Park at the end of the road). Park in the upper plowed lot first; when full, park on the right side of the road entering the Park.
Full house: We will be at capacity with over 40 people including presenters, staff, and attendees. Thanks to everyone for helping with promotion and spreading the word.
Sponsored by:
Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District
Maine Woodland Owners
Maine Department of Agriculture
Maine Natural Areas Program, Conservation and Forestry
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
AGENDA
If you own woodland in Downeast Maine, you're facing threats that weren't on your radar five years ago. Japanese stiltgrass is spreading. Emerald ash borer is here. Beech leaf disease is damaging trees across the region. And red pine scale is becoming a growing concern for softwood stands.
The good news? You don't have to figure this out alone.
Free Workshop Brings State Experts to Hancock County
On Friday, January 30, 2026, the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a comprehensive Forest Health Workshop designed specifically for woodland owners like you. This isn't a generic forestry seminar, it's a deep dive into the invasive pests and diseases currently threatening your woodlot, plus a hands-on field demonstration.
What You'll Learn
Six experts from across Maine will cover the topics that matter most right now:
Early detection tools you can use to spot invasive plants before they take over (including hands-on training with the iMap system).
Current pest and disease threats specific to Downeast Maine; what's here now, and what's coming.
Practical management strategies that actually work for small woodlot owners.
New financial assistance programs, including the WoodsWISE Resiliency cost-share program launching in 2026.
NRCS forest management plans and how to access funding opportunities.
You'll hear from the Maine Forest Service entomologist tracking these pests, the invasive plant biologist leading early response efforts, your local district forester, and USDA conservation experts who can help you access financial support.
Plus: A Real Woodlot Walk
After a hot lunch (included free), we'll head to Lamoine State Park for a guided walk through an actual woodlot. This is your chance to see management strategies in action and ask questions in the field.
Why This Matters Now
Healthy forests aren't just about timber value—they're essential for protecting soil and water resources across our region. But when invasive pests and diseases move in, they don't just damage individual trees. They disrupt entire ecosystems, reduce property values, and create long-term management headaches.
The key to managing these threats is early detection and rapid response. Waiting until you have a major infestation means spending more money and getting worse results.
This event is co-sponsored by Maine Woodland Owners, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service.