PCSWCD’s Outdoor Education Classroom is underway

DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Mountain View Correctional Facility’s Correctional Trades Supervisor Corey Hill and his work crew have been working diligently through the pandemic to construct the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Outdoor Educaiton Classroom at their public land, the Law Farm. The construction of this outdoor classroom has been part of the Law Farm long-range plan and a big goal for the continued development of the property.

“We are grateful for this partnership and Mr. Hill’s expertise and quality work,” stated Sarah Robinson, PCSWCD executive director.  

This project came together in connection with a settlement of an enforcement action taken by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for violations of Maine’s Protection and Improvement of Waters law. PCSWCD is grateful for the opportunity to apply these funds to something positive for the community and natural resources.  

PCSWCD can’t wait to welcome people and highlight the Law Farm as a place to visit in the region that offers recreation and conservation education opportunities. The outdoor education classroom will be used primarily for educational purposes as it will provide shelter and infrastructure for use at PCSWCD events and programs. Additionally, the classroom will have storage for land maintenance tools. In 2020-21 there has been a marked increase in visitors to the property and PCSWCD hopes visitors will consider the classroom a welcomed addition to the trailhead! This space will be a gathering location for many events and workshops that promote the conservation of natural resources that we depend on and further meet our mission for our organization. 

PCSWCD looks forward to hosting conservation education programs in the new outdoor classroom, continuing to connect with Piscataquis community members (and beyond!) and offering opportunities to learn about a community forest, permaculture, agriculture, agroforestry, and wildlife. The building is expected to be finished for the new year, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting honoring Steve and Elaine Law, who donated the property to the district in 2009.

The Laws strongly believed that the children in the county needed a place to be introduced to a forest environment in an objective setting and wanted the Law Farm to provide these opportunities. As stated in the memorandum of understanding, the “Law Farm will continue to be a place for educational use and the property will be maintained according to best management practices for agricultural and forested lands,” and the PCSWCD holds its promise. 

Many Piscataquis County community partners have made this project obtainable and have come together to make it a reality. PCSWCD wants to thank Mountain View Correctional Facility and Hill, Dover True Value, Pleasant River Lumber Co., and Johnson Foundation for their partnership.