Wood duck workshop set for March 15

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) will hold an educational workshop on wood duck nesting ecology on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.
This is a two-part workshop with a classroom session followed by a hands-on field demonstration, and is an ideal workshop for anyone interested in wetland ecology.

    The classroom presentation will be held at the USDA Service Center building in the Pine Crest Business Park, 42 Engdahl Drive. During the classroom session, workshop participants will have a chance to learn about the habitat and food needs of wood ducks, golden eyes and hooded mergansers. Presenters will cover why it is important to aid the ducks by offering them a place to nest and raise young. Scott McLellan, a wildlife biologist from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and Gordon Moore, Piscataquis County district forester for the Maine Forest Service, will present information and will be available to answer questions.
    After the classroom discussion, the group will travel to a local wetland area to monitor and explore existing wood duck boxes, construct a new baffle and place a new box. As the snow is still quite deep, wear boots and/or snowshoes for this fun and educational expedition into the wetland.
    The PCSWCD will be holding a drawing at the workshop to give away a wood duck box building kit to one lucky workshop participant. The PCSWCD also has wood duck box kits available year round for purchase. For more information please contact 564-2321 ext. 3.