Outreach and Education

April 28, 2007 Workshop: The Outs and Ins of Logs

The purpose of outreach and education at the Holt Research Forest is 

• to teach principles of forest ecology, and
• to share research results with people making management decisions on Maine's non-industrial forests–thus closing the gap between the knowledge gained through research and real-world practice. 

Field Trips - The Holt Forest has hosted field trips for various groups.  Stations along Holt tour routes serve as focal points for discussions of low-impact harvesting and research findings.  Our tours have included the Society American Foresters, The Nature Conservancy, a group of Directors of state forestry services, and the Ecosystem Conservation Society of Japan.

Workshops - Our workshops offer a structured approach to share research findings with people such as landowners, loggers, and natural resource managers.  Discussion ranges from Best Management Practices to past land use, soils, bird songs, plant and wildlife population analysis, to land conservation.  Please see sample documents from our most recent workshop (Information Brochure, Registration Form, and workshop Agenda), below.  

Guest speakers have included: Robert Bryan of the Maine Audubon Society, Andy Egan of the University of Maine Department of Forest Management, Pat Sirois of Maine’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Jack Frost of the Maine Professional Loggers Association, and Steve Pelletier, Vice President of Woodlot Alternatives.  Our outreach and education efforts have been funded in part by the Baldwin Foundation and the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.

Workshops have been held in cooperation with: Holt Woodlands Research Foundation; the University of Maine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture; Maine Coast Heritage Trust; Maine Audubon Society; Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine; Maine Forest Service; Certified Logging Professional Program; Sustainable Forestry Initiative; Maine Professional Loggers Association; and Woodlot Alternatives.

For more information, please contact Jack W. Witham, Associate Scientist, 508 Old Stage Road, Arrowsic, ME 04530, phone: (207) 443-9438 / fax: (207) 443-3118.

Information brochure in .doc format

Registration form in .doc format

Please see the agenda below:

The Outs and Ins of Logs   Understanding Tree Defects …. For What They Are “Worth” and Portable Sawmill Demonstration Saturday, April 28th, 2007 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.    William Ostrofsky, Forest Pathologist for the Maine Forest Service, will be on hand to help identify tree defects as well as wood defects and losses in log and wood product value which occur as the result of many natural and human-caused factors.  We will first examine some common defects caused by tree pathogens and by injuries from harvesting equipment and other causes.  A discussion will be conducted of how defects affect tree and forest health and of how various factors regulate the rate and severity of defect development in living trees.  Logs with and without defects will be sawn for examination.  Comparisons of internal patterns of defect development will then be made and related to external signs.  Participants will gain an improved understanding of the biological and economic importance of minimizing tree defects and of maintaining healthy trees for improving forest values.   Jim Philp, of University of Maine Cooperative Extension, will be demonstrating the Wood Mizer LT15 portable sawmill that was used for teaching forestry students sawmill operation at the 2006  Forestry Summer Camp.  The LT15 is a small mill that is very portable and at the same time produces an excellent quality of lumber.  The demonstrations will include time for observers to see the mill setup, examine the mill close-up, and to discuss its operation and features with Mr. Philp.   Certificates of attendance will be available for those needing continuing education credits.  Schedule for April 28th 9:00 a.m. Coffee and registration 9:30  A look at standing trees & defects 11:00 a.m. Set up of Wood Mizer 12:00  p.m. Lunch (provided)    12:30  p.m. Demonstration of Wood Mizer and a look inside of logs. 2:00 p.m. Wrap-up   Dress appropriately. Rough terrain - wear sturdy shoes.