Group gets grant to enhance forest

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County is known for its crystal-clear lakes, mountain vistas and endless, productive forests. Here, the natural resources provide for livelihoods and add to the surrounding diverse beauty. Despite the central location amongst all this “great outdoors”, there is still much to learn about the natural resources in our county. That’s where the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) comes in.

    A major goal of the PCSWCD is to promote and conserve natural resources through educational efforts. Two of the most valuable teaching tools the PCSWCD has are two parcels of public land – one of which is the Law Farm property in Dover-Foxcroft. For the past few years, the PCSWCD has worked to develop the Law Farm into an interactive, outdoor learning space, where residents and visitors can go to learn about and enjoy the natural resources. The PCSWCD is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a 2015 Project Canopy Grant to help further develop the Community Forest at the Law Farm public land.
    Project Canopy is a cooperative partnership between the USDA Forest Service Community Forestry Assistance Program, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service and GrowSmart Maine. The Project Canopy grant the PCSWCD has received will fund the purchase of trees and interpretive signs – all of which will enhance the public areas at the Law Farm. The trees will not only add beauty, but also provide ecological diversity, attracting area birds and wildlife. The tree species selected to be planted are all native and hardy enough to withstand the climate here in Piscataquis County.
    The PCSWCD staff plans to work with several classes from Foxcroft Academy, including the greenhouse and several science classes, to plant the community forest. The PCSWCD is excited to have the opportunity to bridge teaching opportunities at the Law Farm with learning happening in our local schools. Foxcroft Academy teacher Julie Willcott noted that “the Project Canopy Grant provides an outstanding opportunity for students to work in the community. Students will be able to serve the community by planting trees. At the same time, they will have the opportunity to learn more about this valuable local natural resource.”
    For more information, please contact 564-2321 ext. 3 or info@piscataquisswcd.org.