The 2014 North East Region Outstanding Tree Farm award will be going to the same place the 2013 Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's outstanding tree farm award went to:

Jefferson.

Word came Tuesday, May 27 that the Hidden Valley Nature Center co-founders Tracy Moskovitz and Bambi Jones and the Nature Center would be bringing more awards to Jefferson.

In 2013 Hidden Valley won with the 2013 Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's outstanding tree farm award. That award allowed the Hidden Valley to seek the North East Region title.

Andy McAvoy, Hidden Valley Nature Center director, wrote in an email that the awards are cumulative and part of the American Tree Farm System.

“We hosted two inspectors from the American Tree Farm System in early May who were charged with deciding between two tree farms in the 12-state northeast region,” he said. “We were in the running for the regional award because we had won the Maine Outstanding Tree Farm award this winter. Having won both the state and region we are now one of four tree farms across the country in the running for the national award.

“We will not hear about that until middle of summer sometime.”

As with the last award, McAvoy said this award is a good barometer of the work being done at Hidden Valley and the amount of outreach the nature center does.

“I suspect that we were nominated because of the exemplary outreach we perform,” he said. “Most outstanding tree farms will host a tour or two each year, but we host thousands of visitors annually and either passively or actively we illustrate the importance of sustainable forest practices.”

McAvoy said bringing in all members of the community has been Hidden Valley's key to outreach.

“We, HVNC, find ways to connect with our community members on the issues and practices of forestry, even those many individuals who express little to no interest in active forest management,” he said. “Our workshops and events inspire others to engage in their woods and in their community's forests.”

As part of Hidden Valley's ongoing forestry education, the nature center will host Tree Farm Field Days September 6 in conjunction with Maine Tree Farm and Small Woodland Owner's Association of Maine.

“It will be a celebration of HVNC and all things forest-related,” McAvoy said. “There will be horse logging and equipment demos, great speakers, kids events, workshops, art, music, and great food. It is open to everyone and attendance is free.”