‘Our National Conservation effort must include the complete spectrum of resources; air, water & land; fuels, energy & minerals;soils, forests & forage; fish & wildlife. Together they make up the world of nature which surrounds us’

John F. Kennedy

Technical Assistance

Landowners take pride in caring for their land & we can offer Technical Assistance to:

– reduce runoff & soil erosion

– protect water quality

– manage for invasives species

– manage working forests

In addition we offer the following services:

– Engineering review & 3rd Party inspections

– Agricultural cost share programs through our partners at NRCS

– Invasive species survey & management planning

– Grant writing

– 319 Watershed projects

Invasive Species

Our 29 Towns & Cities are on the frontline for many invasive species. Whether its Variable Leaf Milfoil in the lakes, Japanese Knotweed in your yard or Emerald Ash Borer in your forest. We can help you learn what to look for.

Sid Emery Demonstration Forest

KIOSK by Eagle Scout Blake Masse, Troop 320 Shapleigh

trail boardwalk installed by Eagle Scout Christian Sprague Troop 320 Shapleigh

Located on Brock road near Bunganut Lake Park, offers landowners an opportunity to see how different approaches to forest management looks on the ground. This Forest was burned over during the Fires of ’47 & with the help of Mr. Emery has been showcasing forest management practices for over 70 years. Pick up a brochure at the kiosk or contact our office.

We have conducted prescribed harvest demonstration recommended through our Forest Management Plan. The most recent harvest in 2018 showcased a cut to length harvest which utilizes 1 operator, 1 machine to processes each tree right where it is cut instead of hauling to a landing for processing. Branches that are removed were used on the equipment trails to protect the soil. The goal was to thin the Red Pine stands to help release remaining trees to encourage growth & create a healthier stands. Why leave the slash? We are conducting a silvaculture research project to increase soil health by leaving behind material normally chipped & trucked off site. We are hoping this material, as it decomposes, will created a healthier soil structure. It’s not “pretty” or “clean” looking but from a biological perspective we are creating new soil, habitat as a baseline for a new forest.

 

The forest is open to visitors. Feel free to walk the trails and explore the forest. No camping or fires permitted. Limited parking is available near the sports fields or at our Williams Road lot. Trails start at the gate on Brock Road. Thanks goes to Troop 320 Eagle Scouts for completing Eagle projects on the Forest. Kiosk designed and installed by Blake Masse. Trail boardwalk installed by Christian Sprague. Signs, picnic table, and log benches by Jacob Lanoue.

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Watershed Projects

EPA 319 projects

The District is proud to partner with several communities to protect & improve water quality within their watersheds..

Watersheds are defined by where the water moves to & with that water comes the potential for erosion, decreased oxygen, increased plant growth (including invasives) loss of soil & decreases in clarity.

The 319 grant program administered statewide by the ME Department of Environmental Protection provide communities & lake associations with matching funds to protect our lakes, rivers & streams for boaters, anglers & lake front owners.

For more information on our 319 Projects please contact Shri Verrill, Project Manager 207-432-3516 or sverrill@yorkswcd.org

Learn more about our work on Mousam Lake with this great video put together by volunteers in the watershed.

 

Current Watershed projects funded through 2025 

Goosefare Brook Restoration Project Phase IV

Goodall Brook Watershed Improvement Project Phase III

Past Projects (by Watershed)

Mousam Lake Implementation Phase 2 (2023)

Square Pond Implementation Phase 3 (2023)

Bauneg Beg Implementation Phase 1 (2022)

Kennebunk River Implementation Phase 1 (2024)

Goosefare Brook Implementation Phase 2  & 3 Saco & OOB (2022)

Thatcher Brook Implementation Phase 3 – Biddeford (2022)

Long Pond Implementation – partnered with FB Environmental (2023)

Goodall Brook Implementation, Phase 1 (2018), Phase 2 (2022)

Kennebunk River Watershed Management Plan (2020)

Kennebunk Pond (2007)

Little Ossipee Lake (2007)

Great Works River

Goodall Brook Watershed Managment Plan

Mousam Watershed Managment Plan

Square Pond Watershed Management Plan

Environmental Education

Engaging students of all ages in the outdoors is a priority for the District. We offer on site class explorations in the following subject areas:

School Gardening – Garlic gardens, WE Grow afterschool program, School Gardens

Who lives here (wildlife of Maine)

Stormwater education – Water cycle, runoff, river systems,

Forestry Field Days – on School grounds or at our Demo Forest

Forestry Inventory Growth Plot Data collection

Summer Parks & Rec programs

 

Meetings, WORKSHOPS & TRAINING

Monthly District Board Meeting is held in person the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 pm at our office. Zoom link available upon request.

Invasive Forest Pest workshops

Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive forest pest that has decimated Ash tree throughout the US.   In order to help landowners & municipalities understand the effects EAB will have on our forests we are offering workshops to help identify Ash tree species, conduct a small survey & management strategies for your forest.

April 28th – Southwest Regional Envirothon at Evergreen Outdoor Education – 45 Andrew Drive, Auburn

April 30th – 9am – LSM Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) 101 training online (“live” & will be recorded) https://www.lakestewardsofmaine.org/workshops-events/ais-workshops/

Trout Release Day – MMS students May 2

May 14 – 8:00am – 2:00pm BMPs to Protect Water Quality on Haul Roads and Skid Trails Workshop, The Ecology School at River Bend Farm 184 Simpson Road, Saco, ME  Fundamental BMPs to Protect Water Quality on Haul Rds. and Skid Trails – Saco

June 7 – National Trails Day–  Basic Tree ID with Maine Woodland Owners 10 am-noon Sid Emery Demo Forest, Brock Road Lyman – meet at gate off Brock Road. email melissabrandt@yorkswcd.org to sign up. Registration not required but helpful.

June 13 – Annual Maine Lakes Conference, hosted by LSM & Maine Lakes at the Univ. of Maine @ Farmington (in-person). FMI and to register – https://lakeconferencemaine.org/

June 16 –  LSM IPP Live Plant ID workshop 10AM-1PM at Acton Town Hall https://www.lakestewardsofmaine.org/workshops-events/ais-workshops/

If you or your group are interested in hosting a workshop

please contact our office.

 

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