Somerset County SWCD

Somerset County SWCD Promoting sustainable land and water use in Somerset County, Maine.

Join us for workshops, resources, and community projects to conserve our natural resources. 🌱💧

Sometimes conservation work isn't something you planned for.Earlier this summer, extreme heat put a local colony of clif...
08/26/2026

Sometimes conservation work isn't something you planned for.

Earlier this summer, extreme heat put a local colony of cliff swallows in trouble. Young birds were leaving their nests too early, and what followed was a pretty incredible response from wildlife professionals, volunteers, and local partners working together to help the colony through it.

Somerset SWCD was able to lend a hand as part of that effort, from helping cool the nesting area to connecting resources and supporting the people doing the work.

It's a good example of something we don't talk about enough. Local conservation doesn't always fit neatly into a program or project. Sometimes it's simply having the right people connected when something needs attention.

Photo Credit: Linda Merry.

Take a closer look at your trees.One sign of the Asian Longhorned Beetle is a perfectly round exit hole. Adult beetles c...
08/24/2026

Take a closer look at your trees.

One sign of the Asian Longhorned Beetle is a perfectly round exit hole. Adult beetles chew their way out of host trees during the summer, leaving behind holes about ¼ inch across.

Knowing the signs can help us spot an infestation early.
https://youtu.be/Gnh_6zANs5I

Could you tell an invasive beetle from a Maine native?The adult Asian Longhorned Beetle can look surprisingly similar to...
08/20/2026

Could you tell an invasive beetle from a Maine native?

The adult Asian Longhorned Beetle can look surprisingly similar to Maine’s native Whitespotted Sawyer. Knowing the difference is important so we can recognize a potential invasive pest without sounding the alarm over one of our native lookalikes.

Learn how to tell them apart!

Conservation in Somerset County doesn't look like just one thing.It might be a farmer protecting nesting grassland birds...
08/18/2026

Conservation in Somerset County doesn't look like just one thing.

It might be a farmer protecting nesting grassland birds, a woodland owner learning how to manage their forest, a community watching for invasive pests, a landowner dealing with erosion, or someone simply trying to better understand the soil beneath their feet.

Our job is to help support those efforts and connect local people with the resources available to them.

Because good conservation starts with understanding the land, and the people who take care of it.

Know what to look for before it gets here.The Asian Longhorned Beetle targets many of Maine’s hardwood trees, including ...
08/13/2026

Know what to look for before it gets here.

The Asian Longhorned Beetle targets many of Maine’s hardwood trees, including maple, birch, elm, willow, and horsechestnut. Learning the signs now can help us catch this invasive pest early and protect our forests.

https://youtu.be/yh6hyMNN0W0

Have a question about your land but aren't quite sure who to ask?That's a pretty good reason to reach out to your local ...
08/10/2026

Have a question about your land but aren't quite sure who to ask?

That's a pretty good reason to reach out to your local Conservation District.

Somerset SWCD works with farmers, forest landowners, municipalities, homeowners, and community partners on everything from soil and water concerns to forestry, wildlife habitat, invasive species, and agricultural conservation.

We may not always be the organization that ultimately handles your project, but there's a good chance we can help connect you with the person who does.

Keep an eye out for the signs.If you notice a sawdust-like material, called frass, collecting on branches or around the ...
08/06/2026

Keep an eye out for the signs.

If you notice a sawdust-like material, called frass, collecting on branches or around the base of a hardwood tree, it could be a sign of the Asian Longhorned Beetle. Catching infestations early is one of the best ways to protect Maine's forests.

Let's keep the Asian Longhorned Beetle out of Maine.This destructive pest is established in parts of Massachusetts and N...
08/04/2026

Let's keep the Asian Longhorned Beetle out of Maine.

This destructive pest is established in parts of Massachusetts and New York, but it has not been found in Maine. Learning what it looks like and how to recognize the signs of an infestation is one of the best ways to protect our forests.

Learn more:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/media/document/33053/file

Have a maple tree in your yard or woods? Take a closer look.The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a destructive invasive insect...
08/01/2026

Have a maple tree in your yard or woods? Take a closer look.

The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a destructive invasive insect that targets hardwood trees, especially maples. Learning the warning signs is one of the best ways to help protect Maine's forests.

Watch this short video to see what to look for:
https://youtu.be/yh6hyMNN0W0

Address

70 East Madison Road
Skowhegan, ME
04976

Telephone

(207) 474-8323

Website

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