Midcoast Conservancy is delighted to announce that they have been awarded a grant of $8,823.50 through the U.S.D.A. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program. Under the Project Canopy Assistance Program, the grant recognizes the work Midcoast Conservancy is doing at its Hidden Valley Nature Center to renew its forest management program, as well as update and expand forestry educational materials there.

Forestry programs at Hidden Valley Nature Center are wide-ranging and designed to meet the diverse interests and needs of the midcoast community. An example is the Forestry for Maine Birds project, which works with community partner Maine Audubon to provide an opportunity to learn how to manage forestlands to enhance habitat for birds and other wildlife.  The program highlights the importance of Maine forestlands for breeding birds, brook trout, and other wildlife; participants are shown what they can do in on their own woodland or on land trust properties and community forests to enhance habitat both for fish and for other wildlife.

Through another program, working to support the effective and safe practice of home forest management, Midcoast Conservancy offers a series of chainsaw courses each year, all of which sell out almost immediately. The timber frame courses at HVNC utilize sustainably-harvested beams to demonstrate another way to maximize personal woodlots.

Tim Libby, Forest and Lands Manager at Midcoast Conservancy, says "With our project canopy award, we are very excited to work with our long-time forester Barrie Brusila of Mid-Maine Forestry to re-new our forest management plan for HVNC as well as update and expand our forestry education program.  An updated plan will allow us to continue our work in the community as a low-impact demonstration forest."

For more information about forestry programs at Hidden Valley Nature Center, visit the Midcoast Conservancy website at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/program-directory/sustainable-forestry.