Time to get next year’s firewood ready for seasoning! Midcoast Conservancy will offer a Chainsaw Safety class Oct. 29 and 30 at Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC). This class is part of HVNC’s ongoing commitment to excellent forest-related training. Chainsaws can be amazingly effective, and efficient tools when used properly. This hands-on class is aimed at providing participants with enough knowledge and practice to make operating a chainsaw safe, effective, and rewarding.

Day one of the class is a half-day session. Students will be introduced to safety clothing and equipment, basic saw mechanics and maintenance, and will spend time becoming familiar with basic chainsaw uses like bucking logs. Day two will be a full day of hands-on learning. Students will continue to gain comfort with basic operations and safe practices. In addition, students will learn about and practice safe tree felling practices.

By the end of the class students will have the knowledge to be able to properly maintain their saws, use them safely to buck firewood, fell trees, perform trail work, and more.

Whether you cut your own firewood, volunteer at a local land trust, operate a farm, or perform landscaping this could be a great class for you! Participants do not need a chainsaw to participate. HVNC will provide all the equipment, or will evaluate yours for safety. The cost is $130 for Midcoast Conservancy and MOFGA members, and $150 for non-members. Some scholarships are available. Write to news@midcoastconservancy.org for more details. For more information about this class visit the events page at midcoastconservancy.org.

HVNC’s 2016 chainsaw safety classes are sponsored by MOFGA and Jonsered chainsaws.

More information available online at midcoastconservancy.org, news@midcoastconservancy.org, or by calling 207-389-5150.