Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

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Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Guiding Maine's natural resource economy - Amanda Beal, Commissioner.
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09/04/2026

Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal is home to a well-earned Leave No Trace Spotlight this weekend!

Join Leave No Trace staff and the BPL crew at Bradbury for some awesome activities celebrating the outdoors and caring for the places we love.

Who should come? Outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, hikers, campers, and anyone looking for a good time in the woods with . 👣🌲

See you on the mountain!

09/03/2026

Could You Pass the 1890s Forestry Test?

It’s 1891. Maine has just established the office that would eventually become the Maine Forest Service. You’ve been handed responsibility for helping protect one of the most heavily forested states in the nation.

Think you’re ready?

Try these six questions:

1. You spot smoke from a forest fire several miles away. What’s your fastest way to report it?
A. Radio
B. Telephone
C. Ride or walk to get help
D. Send up a signal flare

2. You need to determine where you are in a remote tract of Maine forest. What are you reaching for?
A. GPS
B. Compass and map
C. Aerial photograph
D. Your phone

3. What’s one of your most important tools for fighting a forest fire?
A. Chainsaw
B. Pulaski
C. Axe and shovel
D. Backpack water pump

4. You suspect insects are damaging thousands of acres of forest. How are you most likely to determine the extent of the outbreak?
A. Satellite imagery
B. Drone survey
C. Aerial survey
D. Boots on the ground

5. You’ve been called out to fight a Maine forest fire. What’s the minimum hourly wage in 1891?
A. 5¢
B. 15¢
C. 50¢
D. $1.00

6. True or false: Protecting Maine’s forests in the 1890s was mostly about protecting trees.

Ready for the answers?
1. C - Ride or walk to get help. The network of lookout towers and telephone connections was still years away.
2. B - Compass and map. Knowing how to navigate the woods mattered.
3. C - Axe and shovel. By 1910, Maine was distributing firefighting equipment, including axes, pails, shovels, and mattocks.
4. D - Boots on the ground. Forest health surveys depended heavily on people traveling through and examining the woods.
5. B - 15¢ an hour. People called upon to fight fires were paid at least 15 cents per hour.
6. False - and this is the big one. Forests supported communities, jobs, livelihoods, and an enormously important timber economy.

How many did you get right?

**If you're curious about working with the Maine Forest Service, visit the Career Page and search "Forest" @ https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs.**

09/02/2026

🌲📋Registration Open: Resilience Forester Training

The Maine Forest Service is offering an in-person training for foresters interested in working with clients through the WoodsWISE Resilience Program.

📆October 6, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍MFS Central Region Headquarters
87 Forestry Way, Old Town, ME

This training is required for all foresters who want to participate in the currently open program funding, as well as the new funding opportunity opening in November. Registration is limited to 25 participants, so be sure to reserve your spot.

📌Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/5g0cck5j4W

09/02/2026

This Thursday to Saturday. Everyone is invited!

Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal has been selected as a 2026 Leave No Trace Spotlight, bringing three days of community events, outdoor education, and hands-on stewardship to the park and surrounding area September 3-5, 2026.

Activities begin Thursday evening in Freeport and continue through Saturday at Bradbury Mountain State Park.

• September 3, 2026: LNT Trivia Night
• September 4, 2026: Fireside with the Ranger, Hot Dog Roast + LNT Tent
• September 5, 2026: LNT Events & Stewardship Projects

**The first 25 cars through the park gate whose driver says, "Bigfoot Leaves No Trace at Bradbury," will receive a gift bag featuring items from local event sponsors!**

Get all the details in the News section at https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks.

09/02/2026

One last summer reminder: Look Out for ME. 🌲

As summer winds down, we’re wrapping up our seven-part series with a principle that helps keep Maine welcoming for everyone:

#7: Be Considerate of Others.

Share trails and public spaces respectfully. Keep noise to a minimum. Follow local norms when visiting communities. And remember that thoughtful behavior helps preserve Maine’s longstanding tradition of public access.

Maine is Vacationland, but it’s also home. Whether you live here or are just visiting, a little consideration goes a long way.

Enjoy Maine. Respect Maine. Look Out for ME.

09/01/2026

Join the fun of the 2026 Leave No Trace Spotlight at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal. Three days of community events, outdoor education, and hands-on stewardship.

Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 6:00 PM
Leave No Trace Trivia Night
At Mast Landing Brewing Co., Freeport

Fri, Sep 4, 2026 - At State Park: Bradbury Mountain St Park
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Leave No Trace Outreach Tent
5 to 7:00 PM
Fireside with the Ranger, Leave No Trace Staff & Hot Dog Roast
At Bradbury Mtn. State Park

Sat, Sep 5, 2026 - - At State Park: Bradbury Mountain St Park
Leave No Trace Event & Stewardship Projects
9 AM to 2:00 PM

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/

08/27/2026

135 Years of the Maine Forest Service: Meet District Forester Shane Duigan.

Almost every day, Shane Duigan gets to see his favorite tree in Maine. On his way home from work across Sagadahoc, Cumberland, and Androscoggin counties, a special catalpa tree with its broad, lush leaves and towering stature always catches his eye in Bridgeton. "I just think it's one of the most beautiful things on Earth," he said.

As MFS's longest-serving District Forester, Duigan has seen many trees throughout his career, so the praise means a lot. This year marks his 15th year in the Forest Policy and Management Division. Duigan is one of several District Foresters across the state, a role he is proud of.

"Good forest management and the forest industry in general are so important to Maine that we dedicate a dozen people around the state to meet people and answer their questions about forests. I love being part of that," he said.

Like many MFS foresters, he was drawn to the career because he loves working outdoors and the balance between environmental science and human interaction. The highlight for him is spending time in the woods with landowners talking about the health of their forests. He said it feels good to help people connect with something they deeply value.

"Here we are with this head full of all of these forestry ideas, and we can see all the potential things you can do with your forests," he said. "They're like 'Oh my God, I never knew my forest had all these attributes and all these potentials existed!"

For him, MFS is about distilling complex science into something engaging and relevant for landowners, helping them make informed decisions about land management. He said it's especially important to meet them where they are because each has their own needs and experiences in forestry. Likewise, each forest is unique.

"Forests are not buckets of bolts. They're not engines. You're working with a living system, and it's really critical to have compassion and passion for them and those that care for them in order to be successful."

08/27/2026

🌱 Be part of the 2027 Maine Agricultural Trades Show

Planning is underway for Maine’s annual gathering of the agricultural community, January 12–14, 2027, and we want to hear from you.

Businesses, organizations, educators, service providers, and others connected to Maine agriculture, food systems, and natural resources are invited to tell us how they’d like to participate.

🚜 Exhibit your business or organization
🎤 Propose a conference session
🌲 Take The Maine Stage
🤝 Explore sponsorship opportunities
💡 Or bring us a new idea!

New participants and new ideas are encouraged.

Submit your interest by September 23 to request exhibit space, conference sessions, and other opportunities.

👉 Learn more and submit your details using the 2027 Interest Form. https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/business-development/exhibit/ag-trades-show.shtml

08/26/2026

At Patch Farm, BrennaMae Thomas Googins and her family have built more than a certified organic farm. They've created a place where stewardship, learning, and community thrive together. This multi-generational farm produces an incredible diversity of vegetables, fruits, herbs, eggs, pork, and dairy while using farming practices that strengthen the land for the future.

Through CSA shares, farmers' markets, their farm stand, and wholesale partnerships, Patch Farm helps bring fresh, organic food to tables across western Maine.

BrennaMae is a farmer whose leadership extends far beyond her own fields. She has been a constant source of encouragement, generosity, and inspiration to fellow women farmers. Her passion, dedication, and spirit remind us that strong communities are built one relationship at a time.

Thank you, BrennaMae, for all you do to strengthen Maine agriculture. 🌱

08/25/2026

🍁 Hosting a leafy event this fall? We want to hear about it!

Festivals, farm days, foliage hikes, harvest celebrations, arts and culture, community gatherings, if your event gives people another reason to get out and enjoy autumn in Maine, send it our way!

Organizations and communities can submit fall events for consideration for inclusion in Maine’s official weekly foliage reports at MaineFoliage.com.

👉 Submit your event: https://mainefoliage.com

The first 2026 foliage report drops September 9, with fresh color updates and ideas for enjoying the season, every Wednesday.

Address

18 Elkins Lane
Augusta, ME
04330

Telephone

+12072873200

Website

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/contacts/index.shtml

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