Between the Rivers to be honored as PCSWCD Outstanding Cooperator of the Year
SHIRLEY — Deep in the forest of Shirley, and nestled between the East Branch and the West Branch of the Piscataquis River, you will find Between the Rivers, founded and operated by Ray and Barbara DuCharme. At first glance, you will see a sustainable and well-managed forest. Upon joining the DuCharmes for a tour of Between the Rivers, you will see that they are as dedicated to teaching others about resiliency and strength in this beautiful natural setting, as they are in engaging them in the stewardship of the forest, wetlands and waterways that are the strengths that make this land a unique and special place.
Photo courtesy of PCSWCD
COOPERATOR OF THE YEAR — Ray and Barbara DuCharme stand in front of the lodge at Between the Rivers in Shirley. Between the Rivers will be presented with the 2015 Cooperator of the Year award by the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District during a tour, luncheon and award ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Through the DuCharmes work to establish and run Between the Rivers, a 1,700-acre experiential environmental education program for the Leaning Clinic, Inc., they have become a great example for sustainable forestry that maintains and protects the natural resources in their area, all while educating students with the goals of assisting them, “in meeting their academic goals and preparing for future experiences in educational, vocational, and community settings.”
On a recent visit to Between the Rivers, Barbara explained that they founded Between the Rivers, a Maine not-for-profit corporation, in 2006, “as the realization of a lot of hard work and dedication, after discovering this land while canoeing in the Shirley Bog one day several years ago.” During the summer of 2006, construction, furnishing, and landscaping for three initial buildings were completed. Since that time, a new lodge was built, as well as classroom buildings, log cabins, and other buildings, for staff and students to live and learn within the natural beauty of Maine’s wilderness.
Their programs prepare students to live and work as full participants within their communities. As Ray notes, “our students find challenge and motivation in wilderness camping, canoeing, and hiking. They also participate in wilderness photography and study visual arts and hands-on crafts with local Maine artists.”
The DuCharmes have worked with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service and local foresters Gary Morse and Kirby Ellis to achieve their forestry goals of sustainable well-managed forests.
Morse researched the history of this land to gain an understanding of how traditional uses can interface with the work that is happening now at Between the Rivers. This land has a heritage of forestry, being settled as a lumber town, with the rivers being used for log drives, and the North Road that leads to Between the Rivers, serving as the railbed for the former Bangor and Aroostook Railroad that connected other regions in Maine with Moosehead Lake.
Morse, who wrote the forestry management plan for Between the Rivers, teaches the students, as does Ellis, so the next generation can learn to understand stewardship forestry. Additionally, they teach related concepts such as forest restoration, tree identification, how trees are pollinated, wildlife and habitat management, map and compass skills and wetland management.
By combining sustainable forestry with innovative forestry education, Between the Rivers is an excellent candidate for the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District’s (PCSWCD) 2015 Cooperator of the Year Award. Please join the district on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to honor Between the Rivers.
Ellis and Morse, along with District Forester Gordon Moore of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and Ray DuCharme, will lead a tour of Between the Rivers.
After the tour, Between the Rivers and the PCSWCD will be offering a delicious picnic luncheon. Immediately following lunch, there will be an award ceremony led by the board of supervisors and staff of the PCSWCD.
Registration for the tour and luncheon is required by Thursday, Sept. 10. A registration fee supports the PCSWCD educational programs. For more information and to register, please contact the PCSWCD by calling (564-2321, extension 3, stopping in at the USDA Service Center at 42 Engdahl Drive in Dover-Foxcroft or emailing info@piscataquisswcd.org.