Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Maine's major accomplishments have involved enhancing economic opportunities and facilitating educational opportunities that integrate science, scientific literacy and practical problem solving for individuals and communities. These opportunities include workshops, informational mailings, seminars, publications, videos, camp experiences and field days that have enhanced the understanding of forest ecology and of how to sustainably harvest forest and non-timber forest products for both income opportunities and for maintaining the health of the forest for future generations. Workshops in Maine have focused on wood measurement training and efficient sawmill operation, maple syrup and value-added product production schools, tree identification and forest appreciation and sustainable living workshops for youth and adults. Information has been shared with relevant audiences via print, website, video and hand-on activities. The total number of direct contacts over five years is 5,995 at 76 events with $223,575 saved or earned. PARTICIPANTS: INDIVIDUALS: Kathy Hopkins, Extension Educator, Somerset County - Agriculture and Natural Resources - Conduct educational programs and applied research related to the maple industry in Maine, Dave Fuller, Extension Educator, Franklin County - Agriculture and Natural Resources - Non-Timber Forest Products - Conduct applied research and teach forest landowners the importance of NTFP as well as how to sustainably harvest NTFP Collaborate with others in the U.S. and Eastern Canada to establish a science of NTFP, Amy Witt, Extension Professional, Cumberland County - Home Horticulture - Maine Tree Club and related work - Develop and implement horticulture based programming; coordinate the Master Gardener program in Cumberland County; produce materials and coordinate the Maine Tree club, organize and co-lead outings, Ryder Scott, Extension Professional, Byrant Pond 4-H Camp & Learning Center - Program Director - Leader of team directing curriculum, staffing and administration of 4-H and youth development programming, Jon Downing, Extension Professional, Blueberry Cove 4-H Camp & Learning Center - Camp Director, Les Hyde, Extension Educator, Forestry and Environmental Education, James Philp, Extension Forestry Specialist, Catherine Elliott, Extension Sustainable Living Specialist COLLABORATORS: University of Maine School of Forest Resources; Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation; Maine Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service; Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife; Maine Department of Energy; Maine Department of Health and Human Services; Maine National Guard; Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine; Threshold to Maine RC&D; Maine Afterschool Network; Community Lakes Association; Soil and Water Conservation District, Franklin and Somerset County; International Maple Syrup Institute; North American Maple Syrup Council; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets; Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources; U.S. Forest Service; Operation Military Kids; Military Adventure Camp; Viles Arboretum, Augusta, ME; City of Portland, ME; City of Bangor, ME, Town of Tenants Harbor, ME, Loon Echo Land Trust, Chewonki Foundation; Drew Dumsch, Ferry Beach Ecology School; Cathy Elliott, UMaine Cooperative Extension; Heather Francis, UMaine Cooperative Extension; Jessica Decke, UMaine Cooperative Extension; Beth Calder, Ph. D. Food Science Extension Specialist; Seanna Annis, Ph. D. Associate Professor, UMaine School of Biology and Ecology; Raphael Garcia, Graduate Student, UMaine School of Biology and Ecology PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Elementary, middle and high school faculty members participate with their students in direct training in active, outdoor, sustainable education and in learning opportunities. In addition, the maple grading school regularly enrolls Cooperative Extension staff, state and provincial maple regulatory personnel and quality control specialists from maple production and packing companies. TARGET AUDIENCES: Urban homeowners; Small and home-based business owners; Industrial and Non-industrial private woodland owners; Children and youth; School students and teachers; Community members and leaders; Emphasis on reaching under-served and under-represented audiences including low-income individuals, families, and communities PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
As a result of workshops conducted on wood measurement and scaling, tree identification and appreciation, maple syrup production, non-timber forest products and sustainable living, people in Maine and adults and youth from other states have gained the knowledge and skills to thoughtfully choose their consumption of products, to increase their income and to preserve forestland in Maine. Over 3,552 adults and 2,443 youth have participated in workshops, trainings, camps and programs and have gained knowledge about forest resources and sustainable living as a result. Topics they have reported having new confidence about include: wood and sawmill technology, forest product development and production, non-timber forest products, maple quality control and sustainable sugarbush management, sustainable harvesting and sustainable living. Some of the changes they have made as a result of this knowledge gain include: becoming log scaling apprentices with the goal of gaining full-time employment, adding small business enterprises by sustainable harvest of forest products allowing landowners to maintain their land ownership and pay the taxes, and youth using the knowledge they have gained through camps, outdoor experiences and service learning to bridge the gap between the appreciation of the environment and developing a lifelong commitment to balancing concerns for environmental, economic, social and community quality. Evaluations both formal and informal, pre and post, and long-term behavior change questionnaires have consistently showed that people gain knowledge, then use that knowledge to change attitudes and then change their behavior based on their new attitudes. This is true across the breadth of Maine's RREA activities for youth and adults, maple syrup producers and urban tree wardens, home gardeners and professional foresters. One quote from a participant that illustrates this is the following: I've learned general things like tree identification and at the same time, I've been involved in in-depth conversations on broad issues that have taught me different ways of looking at the environmental issues. Research results from this RREA project have added to the body of scientific information. Since a study of sustainable harvesting of fiddleheads, Matteuccia struthiopteris, has never been conducted, a multi-year study has begun to establish baseline estimates of what constitutes a sustainable fiddlehead fern harvest. Current work with microbes found in maple syrup bottled using accepted production practices suggest that some organisms may survive bottling temperatures and may present a food safety risk. Further work will help determine potential food safety risks and confirm best production practices.
Publications
- How to Identify Fiddleheads - http://www.youtube.com/user/TheUniversityofMaine#p/c/8D1C914E1E1FEA69 /114/a2yEdUkx8UQ David Fuller. University of Maine Cooperative Extension. 2010.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs include monthly mailings to 60 Maine Tree Club members which included tree species fact sheets and related information. Outputs of the UMaine 4H Center at Bryant Pond this year included sustainability education programming, curriculum development, and professional outreach presentations. Non-timber Forest Products workshops Possibilities and Challenges held at Farmington,Strong and Oquossoc 46 participants. Maple Grading School hands on, two day training 23 participants. Developing Effective Strategies to Reach Landowners workshop 38 participants. Maine Tree Club Outing Castine, 30 participants. Maine Tree club Outing Pondicherry Park, Bridgton, 20 participants. Apple Tree Pruning Workshop at St. Albans, 75 participants. Maine Environmental Education Associations Annual Conference, March, 2011with 150 registered participants at Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset, ME. Somerset County Alternative Tree Fruit Demonstration Planting Skowhegan: 8 Master Gardeners developed and maintain the site and collect data and pictures for the website: http://umaine.edu/somerset/blog/2011/10/27/fruit-tree-trial-update-oc tober-2011/ New England Environmental Education Alliance annual conference, October, 2011 in Charlton, MA with 300 participants. Professional development workshop for colleagues in environmental education entitled Service Learning The Missing Link in Environmental Education. September, 2011 with15 participants. Bryant Pond 4-H Center, thirty weeks of residential programming and 20 weeks of in school, outreach-based programming in four school districts. Chaired the Maine Environmental Education Association whose main purpose is outreach, promotion and support of individuals and organizations doing environmental education and has 200 members. Member of the Curriculum Coordinating Committee at Maine School Administrative District 17 with input consisting of helping facilitate greater integration of science, literacy, and practical problem solving and engineering. PARTICIPANTS: INDIVIDUALS Kathy Hopkins, Extension Educator, Somerset County - Agriculture and Natural Resources conducts educational programs and applied research related to the maple industry in Maine. Dave Fuller, Extension Professional, Franklin County - Agriculture and Natural Resources - Non-Timber Forest Products conducts applied research and teaches forest landowners the importance of NTFP as well as how to sustainably harvest NTFP. Collaborate with others in the U.S. and Eastern Canada to establish a science of NTFP. Amy Witt, Extension Professional, Cumberland County Home Horticulture Maine Tree Club and related work. Develop and implement horticulture based programming; coordinate the Master Gardener program in Cumberland County; produce materials and coordinate the Maine Tree club, organize and co-lead outings. Ryder Scott, Extension Professional, Byrant Pond 4-H Camp & Learning Center Program Director, Leader of team directing curriculum, staffing and administration of 4-H and youth development programming. Jon Downing, Extension Professional, Blueberry Cove 4-H Camp & Learning Center - Camp Director, Leader of team directing curriculum, staffing and administration of 4-H and youth development programming. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS Fifty-four public and private elementary, middle and high schools in Maine, University of Maine School of Forest Resources, Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation Maine Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Maine Department of Energy, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine National Guard, Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, Threshold to Maine RC&D, Maine Afterschool Network, Community Lakes Association, Soil and Water Conservation District, Franklin and Somerset Counties, International Maple Syrup Institute, North American Maple Syrup Council, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Operation Military, Military Adventure Camp, Viles Arboretum, Augusta, ME, City of Portland, ME, City of Bangor, ME, Town of Tenants Harbor, ME, Loon Echo Land Trust Chewonki Foundation COLLABOTATORS Drew Dumsch, Ferry Beach Ecology School, Katie Tremblay, Chewonki Foundation, Lucy Hull, Chewonki Foundation, Cathy Elliott, UMaine Cooperative Extension Sustainable Living Specialist, Heather Francis, UMaine Cooperative Extension, Jessica Decke, UMaine Cooperative Extension, Beth Calder, Ph. D. Food Science Extension Specialist, Seanna Annis, Ph. D. Associate Professor, UMaine School of Biology and Ecology, Raphael Garcia, Graduate Student, UMaine School of Biology and Ecology PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Workshops for maple producers 203 participants, elementary, middle and high school faculty (176) participate with their students in direct training in active, outdoor, sustainable education and service learning. TARGET AUDIENCES: Urban homeowners; Small and home-based business owners; Non-industrial private woodland owners; Industrial woodland owners; Children and youth; School students and teachers; Community members and leaders Emphasis on reaching under-served and under-represented audiences include low-income individuals, families, and communities. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Chaired the Maine Environmental Education Association, an organization for outreach, promotion and support of individuals and organizations doing environmental education with 200 members. Member of the Curriculum Coordinating Committee at Maine School Administrative District 17 helping facilitate greater integration of science, literacy, and practical problem-solving and engineering. Program evaluations, show participants in camp programs leave with a greater understanding of ecological principles, and of the consequences of their actions as consumers, citizens, and biological beings. From three Non-timber Forest Products: Possibilities and Challenges, 100% of participants better understood what non-timber forest products were, 53% indicated that they would use NTFP. As a result of the workshop, Developing Effective Strategies to Reach Landowners: 95% increased their knowledge from 1 to 5 steps on a 7-step scale, A "post-then-pre" workshop evaluation of self-reported knowledge changes showed a significant difference in knowledge about outreach on a paired t-test (n=34 P value 0.0003, 95% confidence interval. As a result service providers stated they would employ the following new outreach strategies with their clients: More landowner audience analysis, more homework and targeted outreach; Address the landowner's interest before mine; Define what kind of woodlot owner I am meeting; Identify landowner concerns and goals more completely by listening more than presenting. Campers leave Blueberry Cove Camp with an increased sensitivity and connection to the environment. At camp children learn about leaf patterns, tree identification, decomposition, life cycle of a tree, soil types and depths, animals that live in the forest, how to age a tree, the relationship between trees and air quality and what berries can be foraged in the forest. Programs meet the needs of children on different steps of the educational model: 1. Increase sensitivity to nature using the senses of sight, taste, sound, smell and touch, 2. Increase awareness of the beauty, wonder, complexity and interdependence of nature, awareness of the problem and the desire to learn more, 3. Increase understanding of the basic laws of ecology, laws of nature and how the earth works, 4. Increase appreciation of all life and our responsibility to be knowledgeable, caring inhabitants of our planet with a respect for all living things, and 5. Increase commitment to adopt a lifestyle promoting beauty, health and sustainability of our communities. Changes range from personal awareness of energy and product consumption, to whole school systems change - adopting composting and recycling practices, and a more hands-on and active learning environment. Four participants to date are now selling NTFP for supplemental income in a sustainable way to pay property taxes and otherwise may have to sell property to pay taxes. Skowhegan Area Middle School has set up a composting program at the school. Maple syrup producers saved money by reducing grading violations and the return and reprocessing of mislabeled syrup. They save time, energy and money and enhance the image of a high quality product.
Publications
- Alternative tree fruit for the home landscape website: http://umaine.edu/somerset/blog/2011/10/27/fruit-tree-trial-update-oc tober-2011/Authors and collaborators Thomas Goodspeed, Mel Croft, Sheryl Ruman 2011
- How to Tap Maple Trees and Make Maple Syrup Video series: Kathy Hopkins 2011 http://www.youtube.com/user/TheUniversityofMaine#p/c/8D1C914E1E1FEA69 /53/B_55a0hL--A http://www.youtube.com/user/TheUniversityofMaine#p/c/8D1C914E1E1FEA69 /54/RFzkp5-uW4k http://www.youtube.com/user/TheUniversityofMaine#p/c/8D1C914E1E1FEA69 /55/CkJBB_Z_jRw
- Scott, R. 2011. The nested systems of sustainability education: charting a pathway to ecological learning. Prescott Arizona. Prescott College Masters Thesis.
- Hopkins, K.M. presenter, Annis, S., Calder, B., Marshall, W., Garcia, R. 2011. What IS That in My Syrup Identification of Microbial Spoilage in Maple Syrup. Technical session presented at the North American Maple Syrup Council/International Maple Syrup Institute Annual Meetings in Frankenmuth, MI.
- Hopkins, K.M. presenter, Annis, S., Calder, B., Marshall, W., Garcia, R. 2011. Identification of Microbial Spoilage in Maple Syrup. Poster abstract reviewed and poster presented at the North American Maple Syrup Council/International Maple Syrup Institute Annual Meetings in Frankenmuth, MI.
- Hopkins, K.M. presenter, Annis, S., Calder, B., Garcia, R. 2011. Identification of Microbial Spoilage in Maple Syrup Samples. Poster abstract peer reviewed and poster presented at the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meetings in Overland Park, KS. http://www.nacaa.com/posters/posters_summary.php
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: ACTIVITIES: Research on fiddlehead harvest, data to be published in 2011, 1 partic. Research on microbial contamination in Maple Syrup; data to be reported in FY11 5 partic. Demo project on use of alternative plants in home landscaping, 4 partic; Maine Tree Club members sent monthly fact sheets & other info, 50 partic. Summer residential & day camps, afterschool, classroom, & specialty programs at Maine's 4-H Camps at Tanglewood (TW) & Bryant Pond (BP) focused on env sciences, water quality, milfoil eradication, sustainable living, service-learning, outdoor skills, leadership, & wellness 7000+ partic. EVENTS: NA Maple Syrup Council & Interntnl Maple Syrup Institute Annual Meetings 325 partic; Maple Grading School 16 partic; ME Maple Producers Assoc Meeting at the ME Ag Trade Show 50 partic; Southern ME Maple Syrup Producers Assoc, Maple Grading workshop 25 partic and Setting Up Your Storefront workshop 27 partic; ME Maple Producers Assoc, Strategic Planning Session 15 partic; ME Tree Club Outings, Acadia Natnl Park 12 partic, Bangor City Forest 10 partic, Baxter State Park 7 partic; 4-H programs (egs) - BP & TW service-learning program 400+ partic, Youth Field Day & Community Day 200 partic, Bethel Area Community Forum 100 partic, Local Foods Forum 45 partic, Leadership, Service_Learning, Social Capital Training Conference 48 partic, Talk on Sustainability Education research, Prescott, AZ 17 partic; Sustainability Education Focus Group, 4 3-hr sessions 7 partic; Non-timber Forest Products: Possibilities & Challenges, 2 workshops 45 partic; Milfoil Eradication Project, BP in partnership with the Community Lake Assoc 12 partic. PRODUCTS: Hopkins, K.M. (presenter), S. Annis, B. Calder, & W. Marshall. 2010. Identification of Microbial Spoilage in Maple Syrup Samples. Poster presented at the NA Maple Syrup Council/Interntnl l Maple Syrup Institute Annual Meetings in Stratford, ON.; Scott, R. & L. Smith. Lakeside Classroom Curriculum Guide. BP 4-H Camp; Scott, R., R. Fournier, and S. Jennings. BP 4-H Camp Staff Manual; Scott, R., S. Olsen, and S. Jennings. BP Website & Video on Demand; Fuller, D. Balsam Fir Tips: Sustainable Harvest video (http://www.youtube.com/watchv=TR_-pCzYamE); Fuller, D. revision of 3 balsam fir pubs, Making Balsam Fir Wreaths #7012e; Balsam Fir Tip Gathering #7011e; Growing a Continuous Supply of Balsam Fir Wreath Brush #7089e. DISSEMINATION: Interntnl Maple Syrup Institute Maple Grading School, hands-on training in techniques & equip used to grade maple syrup, used Maple Grading Techniques by Henry Marckres, VT Agency of Ag, Food & Markets, Sumner Dole, UNH Coop Extension, & Kathy Hopkins, UMaine Coop Extension as the training manual 16 partic. Public presentation on Nature Deficit Disorder at UMaine Coop Extension, York Co office (35 partic). Promotional events for Maine 4-H Camps held throughout New England at camp & ag fairs, community volunteer fairs, & student recruitment fairs, & on cable TV & Videos on Demand. PARTICIPANTS: INDIVIDUALS: (Vacant) Extension Specialist, Small Woodland Management, Conducts forest education programs with an emphasis on issues affecting the ownership and sustainability of small woodlands in southern and coastal Maine; Kathryn Hopkins, Extension Educator, Somerset County, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Conducts educational programs and applied research related to the maple industry in Maine; Dave Fuller, Extension Professional, Franklin County, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Conducts educational programs and applied research for forest landowners on the importance and sustainable harvest of Non-Timber Forest Products; Amy Witt, Extension Professional, Cumberland County, Home Horticulture, Supports the Maine Tree Club through distribution of educational materials and organizing and co-leading field trips; Ryder Scott, Extension Professional, Byrant Pond 4-H Camp & Learning Center, Program Director, Designs and implements nature resource programs in partnership with all educational staff members; (Vacant) Extension Professional, Tanglewood 4-H Camp & Learning Center, Program Director, Designs and implements natural resource programs in partnership with all educational staff members. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: University of Maine School of Forest Resources; Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation; Maine Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service; Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife; Maine Department of Energy; Maine Department of Health and Human Services; Maine National Guard; Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine Threshold to Maine RC&D; Maine Afterschool Network; Community Lake Association; Soil and Water Conservation District, Franklin County; International Maple Syrup Institute; North American Maple Syrup Council; Vermont Agency of Agriculture; U.S. Forest Service; Operation Military Kids; Viles Arboretum, Augusta, ME; City of Portland, ME; City of Bangor, ME; Middle Schools - RSU 10 Dixfield; Buckfield, Telstar; High Schools - Telstar, Crescent Park, Woodstock, Fryeburg, Snowe, Denmark, New Suncook, OHCHS, Hebron, West Paris, Nobel, Durham, Camden Rockport, Belfast Community. COLLABORATORS & CONTACTS: Beth L. Calder, Ph. D., Food Science Specialist, UMaine Cooperative Extension and Dept. of Food Science & Human Nutrition; Wyatt Marshall, Mycologist, UMaine School of Biology and Ecology; Seanna L. Annis, Ph.D., Mycologist, UMaine School of Biology and Ecology. TRAINING OR PROFESSIONALS DEVELOPMENT: Schools and workshops for maple producers (458 participants); All middle and high school faculty members participate in direct training as their students participate in active, outdoor, sustainable education, and service learning (250+ participants). TARGET AUDIENCES: Urban homeowners; Small and home-based business owners; Non-industrial private woodland owners; Industrial woodland owners; Children and youth; School students and teachers; Community members and leaders; Emphasis on reaching under-served and under-represented audiences especially low-income individuals, families, and communities. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
KNOWLEDGE: Of the 16 partic in the Maple Grading School, 100% incr ability to use maple grading & quality control techn as measured using a 7-step scale. 36% incr 1 step on the scale; 35% incr 2 or 3 steps; and 29% incr 4 to 6 steps. As part of the core curricula of all programs at Bryant Pond (BP) & Tanglewood (TW) 4-H Camps partic learned ecological principles; sust living practices; personal nutrition, health, & wellness; outdoor skills & healthy outdoor activities; & green energy. Other programs addressed watershed ecology & water quality; service-learning; team & individ leadership, communication & collaboration; civic engagement; & outdoor survival, partic 7000+ youth, ages 7 to 18; 80+ adult field staff; 250+ adult teachers, chaperones, voln & parents; & 400+ youth in long-term service-learning programs. In 2 workshops titled: Non-timber Forest Products (NTFP): Possibilities & Challenges, 100% of partic indicated a better understanding of what NTFP are, and 53% indicated they would use NTFP in current or future business. CHANGE in ACTION: Of partic in the Maple Grading School, 100% plan to use at least 1 new grading tool/practice in the next year; 50% plan to use at least 2 new practices. At BP & TW 4-H Camps, changes in action or behavior by partic in service-learning programs include: youth demonstrate how to lead discussions, voice passion for the issue, promote ideas, plan action steps, & verbalize & reflect on the process & results; adults who mentor young people & teach skills support young people in demonstrating incr confidence, self-reliance, & incr personal aspirations & successes. Team reflection allows for new & different perspectives to be expressed & heard, assessment of the service-learning project & academic material, & subsequent changes to the action plan & implementation. Young people are empowered to plan & implement change in their communities, demonstrating incr leadership skills, & individual life skills including communication, planning & goal setting. In addition, young people demonstrate incr tolerance for diversity, learn to accept others, value contributions each individual brings to the team & process, & demonstrate a commitment to civic planning & long-term civic engagement. CHANGE in CONDITIONS: In the NTFP program, 4 partic are now selling NTFP for supplemental income, 2 other partic are harvesting NTFP sustainably & are able to use the profits to pay property taxes rather than sell land. BP 4-H Camp has adopted service-learning as part of their core mission of sustainability, bridging the gap betwn appreciation for the env & life-long commitment to civic engagement & balanced concern for environmental, social, & economic quality. Their school-based service-learning partners have implemented curriculum changes to include sustainable systems in the schools. Egs: school gardens provide food for school lunches, waste composted &returned to garden; farm to school programs utilize locally produced food in school lunchs & incorp study of soils, plants, nutrients, etc into school curricula; alternative energy provides power for greenhouses.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In the RREA issue area of Economic Opportunities, non-timber forest products (NTFP) were the focus of several projects this year. A research projects on the sustainable harvest of fiddleheads was initiated, with results anticipated in FY10. The 2009 annual meeting of the North American Maple Syrup Council and the International Maple Syrup Institute was held in Bar Harbor, Maine this year, with support from UMaine Extension. Coming from all across the US and Canada, the 256 participants attended talks, seminars, and poster sessions, and visited beautiful Mount Desert Island during a field trip. The annual Maple Grading School, sponsored by the International Maple Syrup Institute and conducted in Skowhegan, ME, received national attention from print and TV media. AP writer Clark Canfield filed a story that was carried by local and state newspapers, and four network affiliates, including one from Boston, MA, did news stories on the School. Additional educational programs conducted on NTFP's included talks at the New England Society of American Foresters annual meeting in Portland, ME, and a meeting of the Spannochia Foundation in Rosa, Italy. In the RREA issue area of Forest Stewardship and Health, the focus was on environmental education, sustainability, and forest resource education. Youth and adult workshops were held at Tanglewood 4-H Camp & Learning Center in Lincolnville and its satellite campus at Blueberry Cove in Tenants Harbor. Bugs, forests, and ecology were some of the topics addressed. Residential summer camps at Tanglewood and day camp programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove reached over 800 youth from all counties in Maine, as well as many other states and several other countries. Asian longhorn beetles were the subject of a cable TV program that was aired on local channels and distributed to libraries across Maine. The Maine Tree Club, hosted on the Cumberland County Extension website, was active again this year, helping Maine youth, adults, and families learn about the biology, ecology, and care of trees in urban environments. Key educational resources developed for these programs include the Maple Grading Manual, a fact sheet on fiddleheads, support materials used by summer camp and school program counselors and teachers, PowerPoint presentations on nine topics related to natural resources and sustainability, and 11 recycling and garden demonstration projects at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Dave Fuller, Extension Educator - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Franklin County, Non-Timber Forest Products programs; Kathryn Hopkins, Extension Educator - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Somerset County, Maple programs; Les Hyde, Extension Educator - Forestry and Environmental Education, Forest Resources and Environmental Education programs; Richard Brzozowski, Extension Educator - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cumberland County, Forestry programs. Partner Organizations: University of Maine School of Forest Resources; University of Maine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture; Tanglewood Camp & Learning Center; Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation; Pine Tree State Arboretum; Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources; Maine Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service; Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine; University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension; University of Vermont Cooperative Extension; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets; International Maple Syrup Institute; North American Maple Syrup Council; School systems throughout the State of Maine. Collaborators and Contact: Catherine Elliott, Extension Specialist - Sustainable Living and Wildlife; Jon Prichard, Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development, York County; Heather Francis, Extension Professional, Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center; Leah Trommer, Extension Professional, Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center; Amy Witt, Extension Professional, York County; Beth Calder, Extension Specialist - Food Science; Al Bushway, Professor, UMaine Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition; Gary Graham, Ohio State University Extension; Henry Marckres, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, Sumner Dole (retired), University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. Training or Professional Development Opportunities: Maple School (producers, processors, Extension and agency professionals); Maple Grading School (producers, processors, Extension and agency professionals); Non-Timber Forest Products displays at educational events (business owners, producers, Extension and agency professionals); Environmental Education training programs (Extension and agency professionals; K-12 teachers; 4-H volunteers). TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences: Urban homeowners; small and home-based business owners; non-industrial private woodland owners; children and youth; school students and teachers; community members and leaders. Emphasis on reaching under-served and under-represented audiences include low-income individuals, families, and communities. Efforts: Classroom instruction; experiential education in the outdoors, lab, and classroom; workshops; seminars; public talks and displays; clinics; training manuals and fact sheets. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
In the RREA issue area Economic Opportunities, 10 new businesses were started, primarily related to balsam fir products, birch bark products, and fiddleheads. Initiated by individuals or families, these small-scale seasonal businesses are an important but little recognized and appreciated part of the rural Maine economy. An outcome of the national Maple Conference was that 69 percent of participants completing the conference evaluation indicated that they would be adopting new business practices or new production practices based on what they learned in the technical sessions. In the RREA issue area of Forest Stewardship and Health, almost half of the 101 participants in the Maine Tree Club indicated that they their knowledge of the value and benefits of trees had increased as a result of the program. Participants in summer camp and school program, both youth and teachers, gained knowledge of the natural world, including Maine's forests, principles of ecology, and sustainable living practices. All participants adopted at least one new sustainable living practice, such as composting, not wasting food, and getting outdoors more, while participating in the program.
Publications
- Marckres, H., S. Dole, and K. Hopkins. 2009. International Maple Syrup Institute: Maple Grading Manual. 20+ pp. (Revised annually for distribution to participants in the Maple Grading School)
- Bushway, A, B. Calder, and D. Fuller. 2009. Facts on Fiddleheads. UMaine Cooperative Extension. Bulletin 4198. 4 pp.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: RREA Issue Area - Economic Opportunities for Individuals and Communities: Wood Measurement Training - 2 conducted, 50 participants; Sawmill operations and technology clinics and courses - 8 conducted, 242 participants; Annual Maple School - 1 conducted (two-day program), 200 participants; Maple Grading School - 2 conducted (Maine, Ohio), 36 participants (17 Maine, 17 Ohio and 4 other states, 2 international); Non-timber Forest Products display created, used at 5 educational events including one with State Legislators, total 340 participants. RREA Issue Area - Forest Stewardship and Health: Sustainable Living Volunteers - 8 participants in 20-hour,four-session training; Sustainable Living for ME: A Call to Action - 31 participants in two-day in-service training; Sustainable Living: It's Your Choice - 2 workshops conducted at national meetings (ANREP and Galaxy III), total 77 Extension professionals, volunteers, and administrators participated. PARTICIPANTS: RREA Issue Area - Economic Opportunities: Individuals - Maple programs - Kathryn Hopkins, Extension Educator - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Somerset County, Maine; Gary Graham, Ohio State University Extension; Henry Marckres, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets; Non-Timber Forest Products programs - Dave Fuller, Extension Educator - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Franklin County; Wood Scaling and Sawmill programs - James Philp, Extension Specialist - Forestry, UMaine. Partner Organizations: University of Maine School of Forest Resources; Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources; University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension; University of Vermont Cooperative Extension; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets. Professional Development Opportunities - Maple School and Maple Grading School - maple producers, Extension professionals; Sawmill programs - undergraduate students, professionals; Wood scaling programs - professionals, apprentices; Non-Timber Forest Products display at educational events - professionals, landowners. RREA Issue Area - Forest Stewardship: Individuals - Catherine Elliott, Extension Specialist - Sustainable Living and Wildlife; Les Hyde, Extension Educator - Forestry and Environmental Education; Jon Prichard, Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development, York County; Heather Francis, Extension Professional, Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center; Laura Sebastianelli, Extension Professional, Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center; Viviane Simon-Brown, Oregon State University Extension; Michele Adamski, University of Florida Extension. Collaborators - Oregon State University Extension; University of Florida Extension; members of the National Network for Sustainable Living Education(ANREP & CSREES). Professional Development Opportunities - Sustainable Living Programs - Extension professionals and administrators; K-12 teachers; 4-H volunteers; Sustainable Living Volunteers TARGET AUDIENCES: RREA Issue Area - Economic Development: Target Audiences - sawmill operators; wood scalers and apprentices; professional foresters, maple producers, woodland owners. Efforts - classroom instruction; experiential education (field, lab), workshops, seminars, displays, clinics, publications. RREA Issue Area - Forest Stewardship: Target Audiences - teachers, community leaders, community members, Extension staff, Extension volunteers, Extension administrators. Efforts - classroom instruction, experiential education (field, lab), workshops, seminars, displays, community outreach by volunteers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Issue Area - Economic Opportunities: Wood Measurement Training - participants who complete the course reduce their apprenticeship from 24 months to 6 months, saving time and increasing earning power, 60% of participants complete their apprenticeship and qualify for a Wood Scaler's License, 15% start their own businesses; Non-timber Forest Products workshops - 100% increase knowledge of non-timber products that can supplement their income, 2 participants are now pay taxes entirely from non-timber products income; Maple School and Maple Grading School - 100% increased skills and confidence in use of maple grading & quality control techniques, 100% improved business management and decision-making skills, 86% indicated will use at least one new skill, 71% indicated will use at least 2 to 4 new skills; Issue Area - Forest Stewardship and Health - Sustainable Living Volunteers - 100% have made commitments to living more sustainably and to sharing knowledge with others, over 150 hours of community outreach have been reported, reaching over 50 people; Sustainable Living: It's Your Choice workshops - 90% of participants made commitment to take action to live more sustainably, follow-up evaluation is currently being conducted.
Publications
- Fuller, D., M. Cercone, and W. D. Lilley. 2008. Balsam Fir Tip Gathering. UMaine Cooperative Extension, Bulletin 7011, 4 pp.
- Adamski, M., C. Elliott, and V. Simon-Brown. 2008. Living Sustainably: It's Your Choice. Oregon State University EC1614, 20 pp.
- Fuller, D., M. Cercone, and W. D. Lilley. 2008. Making Balsam Fir Wreaths. UMaine Cooperative Extension, Bulletin 7012, 4 pp.
- Fuller, D., W. D. Lilley, and V. J. Holmes. 2008. Growing a Continuous Supply of Balsam Fir Wreath Brush. UMaine Cooperative Extension, Bulletin 7089, 4 pp.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: RREA Issue Area - Economic Opportunities for Individuals and Communities: Wood measurement workshops - 2 conducted, 36 participants; Sawmill operations and technology clinics and courses - 14 conducted, 540 participants - example 1, instructed 36 undergraduate students participating in the UMaine School of Forest Resources Summer Camp in the operation of two different types of sawmills - example 2, conducted two seminars at the SAWLEX Expo on Wood Measurement and on Wood Machining; Annual Maine Maple School - 12 participants; Maple Grading School - 25 participants; Value-added Maple Products Workshop - 12 participants. RREA Issue Area - Forest Stewardship and Health: School of Forest Resources public education booth at Fryeburg Fair - 3 days, 24,000 contacts; Sustainable Living Education Series - Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainable Transportation, Sustainable Homes - 3 programs, 23 participants; Sustainable Living-Sustainable Communities - 2 programs, 34 participants;
Earth Connections Volunteers - Creating Sustainable Communities - curriculum development, program implementation in FY08; Media and Our Connections to Our Home on Earth - radio program, 8500 listeners.
PARTICIPANTS: RREA Issue Area - Economic Opportunities: Individuals - Kathryn Hopkins, Extension Educator - Agriculture, Somerset County; James Philp, Extension Specialist - Forestry, UMaine. Partner Organizations - University of Maine, School of Forest Resources; Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources, Division of Quality Assurance and Licensing; University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension; University of Vermont Cooperative Extension. Professional Development Opportunities - Maple School and Maple Grading School for maple producers; Sawmill Operations and Technology - undergraduate students, professionals; Wood Scaling Training - professionals RREA Issue Area - Forest Stewardship: Staff - Catherine Elliott, Extension Specialist - Wildlife , UMaine; Leslie Hyde, Extension Educator - Environmental Education and Forestry, Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center; Heather Francis, Extension Professional - School Programs, Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center;
Laura Sebastianelli, Extension Professional - Adult and Family Programs, Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center. Collaborators - WERU Community Radio, Orland, ME. Professional Development Opportunities - Sustainable Living programs - K-12 teachers, volunteers; Earth Connections Volunteers - volunteers, K-12 teachers.
TARGET AUDIENCES: RREA Issue Area - Economic Development: Target Audiences - sawmill operators; wood scalers; maple producers. Efforts - classroom instruction; experiential education (field, lab), workshops, seminars, displays. RREA Issue Area - Forest Stewardship: Target Audiences - teachers; community leaders. Efforts - classroom instruction; experiential education (field), workshops, seminars.
Impacts
Issue Area - Economic Opportunities Accurate grading of maple syrup is important for sellers and purchasers of bulk syrup, and when evaluating syrup for blending or producing value-added products. Consistent grading is needed when judging syrup at fairs, trade shows and industry expositions. For 3 years, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont have collaborated to conduct a three day Maple Grading School. Participants learn & adopt correct grading techniques. All participants reported an increase in their ability to use grading and quality control techniques. Past-year participants report continued benefit from the Grading School, including networking, use of learned skills, money saved, increased profits, and reduced costs. Maine ranks 2nd in the US in maple syrup production and has the largest producing county, but 95% of Maine's syrup is sold as bulk, earning $21.50 per gallon. Value-added products, such as maple candy and cream, have the potential to significantly
increase profits. For example, 1 gallon of syrup yields 120 ounces of candy, selling at $1.60 per ounce, earning $192.00 per gallon - an increase of 440%. A Value-Added Maple Products Workshop was conducted with 12 producers from Maine and New Hampshire to teach maple cream and candy production, testing, and evaluation methods. All participants plan to incorporate new value added products or techniques into their businesses. A second workshop is planned for 2008. The state of Maine licenses people who measure wood to establish a basis for payment for goods or services. To obtain a license, applicants must serve a 2 year apprenticeship & pass a written exam. If the applicant completes an approved course of instruction, the apprenticeship requirement can be reduced from 2 years to 6 months. Cooperating with UMaine School of Forest Resources and Maine Department of Agriculture, University of Maine Extension faculty have offered two 2 day Approved Wood Measurement Training programs each
year since 2002, training wood scalers to meet the state requirements for the reduced length apprenticeship. Of the 204 participants since 2002, all 204 have qualified for six month apprenticeships. A long term economic impact analysis of the program will be conducted in 2008. Issue Area - Forest Stewardship Learning to live more sustainably is key to efforts addressing global climate change. Each individual must understand why it is important, the effects of their current lifestyle, and make a commitment to making changes that will, collectively, reduce greenhouse gases & address larger issues of global climate change. Although governments, corporations, & businesses also have a role, we focus on supporting individuals in taking action. Using one-time and short series workshops and a "master" volunteer development program, our goal is to have individuals make informed decisions about lifestyle choices and changes that address environmental issues. The curriculum for the Earth
Connections Volunteers program has been under development for over a year; implementation will begin early in FY08; volunteers will conduct outreach programs involving youth and adults in creating more sustainable communities.
Publications
- Elliott, C. A. (in press). Biodiversity in the Forests of Maine: Guidelines for Land Management. Reprint of 1999 edition. UMCE Bulletin 7147. 168 pp.
- Philp, J. R. 2007. Comments from the Other Side of the Fence. Independent Sawmill and Woodlot Management. Aug-Sep, Vol. 70, pg. 14.
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