GRANT AWARDS
PROJECT CANOPY GRANT - The SASWCD was recently awarded a Project Canopy Grant, a community forestry program of the Maine Forest Service, to conduct a street tree survey in Houlton this summer. We'll be partnering with the Maine Forest Service and the Town of Houlton on a short training July 8 for interested volunteers who will survey assigned neighborhoods and collect street tree data. The surveys will be in manageable sections so that the activity is fun and educational for families and community members. If you want to learn a bit about the trees in your neighborhood and help collect the data that will help draft a plan for Houlton to provide future maintenance and tree plantings, please consider spending a few hours this summer surveying. Contact the District at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone, 254-4126.
MOBILE KITCHEN CART PROJECT - With Covid-19 and closure of schools, the SASWCD switched gears to continue reaching students as part of our USDA-Farm to School grant. Instead of in-class hands-on cooking classes with Houlton elementary students, we began a new online video series called "Snack Bites." These videos are recipes for quick, homemade snacks that are simple enough for children to make without adult supervision. Students can view the You Tube videos on the RSU29 "Snack Bites" page - http://www.rsu29.org/district-information/snack-bites Thank you to local artist Frank Sullivan for generously designing the "Snack Bites" logo free of charge!
MEDUXNEKEAG RIVER WATERSHED RESTORATION, PHASE II PROJECT - The SASWCD has also received funding for a Dept of Environmental Protection grant to target specific agricultural and livestock practices in the Meduxnekeag Watershed, as well as no-tilling, cover cropping and winter cover work. The grant project is for two years, beginning 2020. Any farmers in the watershed who are interested in participating should contact the District at 254-4126 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss.
OTHER PROJECTS and EDUCATION
RESCHEDULED CLASSES FROM WINTER AG SCHOOL 2020 - Due to COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately the SASWCD had to cancel or postpone our last 3 classes. We have decided to postpone the "Beekeeping" class with Lincoln Sennett until March, 2021. The "Women's Beginning Chainsaw Safety" class has been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, November 14. If you are interested in attending the chainsaw class, please email the District to be placed on a notification list. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You can also follow SASWCD on Facebook for updates on future classes.
BASIC AND ADVANCED EROSION CONTROL PRACTICES - The SASWCD and Dept of Environmental Protection have postponed this class at the Houlton Town Office until Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Due to the current circumstances, if a contractor needed this course to become certified in Erosion & Sedimentation Control Practices, please contact the District for information on how to temporarily obtain the certification online.
NORTHERN REGIONAL ENVIROTHON and FALL FIELD DAYS - Due to school closures within Maine, the regional Envirothon that was scheduled for May 19 at Riverfront Park in Houlton has been canceled. We anticipate the cancellation of the Envirothon Fall Field Days as well but please check back this fall for updates!