Landowners invited to participate in natural resource assessment survey

Maine’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), in cooperation with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are conducting a natural resources assessment (NRA) across the state. The goal is to determine natural resource priorities so that districts and the NRCS can assist landowners, professionals and municipalities with best management practices that protect and improve land and water resources.

To gather this information, SWCDs have distributed a statewide survey and are holding local meetings to document natural resource conservation concerns and to build on the data collected in the first assessment, completed in 2011. The priorities articulated in the survey and meetings will inform state and local natural resource programs and funding opportunities in the coming five year cycle.

Preliminary survey results for Piscataquis County will be available at a meeting at the Abbot Town Office on March 31 from 2-4 p.m. Join friends and neighbors at this meeting for a discussion about protecting Maine’s natural resources. SWCDs encourage farmers, woodland owners, resource professionals and members of the general public to take advantage of this opportunity to make your voice heard.

Surveys may also be completed by March 31 to be eligible for a prize. The survey may be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JQ5GPL5, and paper copies are available at maineconservationdistricts.com/district-locations.

For more information and to RSVP for the meeting, please contact the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) at info@piscataquisswcd.org or 564-2321, extension 3. For an accommodation, please notify Joanna Tarrazi at the PCSWCD office by Monday, March 21.