EDUCATION 

While it is critical to identify Locally Led natural resource issues of concern for the purposes of setting measurable goals and objectives for the coming years, the District also feels it is a priority to emphasize education as an integral part of the District Mission.  By promoting awareness of good stewardship practices to both landowners and landusers alike, an investment in the sustainable value of our region's natural resources is being made.  Those who educate themselves about these natural resources issues and the ways in which to resolve them, will be the ones making informed decisions in the years to come.  The District has a unique opportunity to educate on a variety of levels about an equally various number of issues, primarily due to our wide cooperator base and our partnerships with other agencies and organizations.  By visiting schools from elementary through college age, we have the ability to educate people before they are in the active role of making critical resource decisions.  We are also able to spread the word about new concerns and ideas to those already working on or with the land through workshops, demonstrations, news releases, newsletters, and other special events. "Through a multi-level approach, the District will encourage the development of a stewardship ethic among Valley residents that remains viable for years to come." 

If special accommodations are required, please contact the district office at 834-3311, ext 3.

Educational Offerings at the District
 

Upcoming Workshops

November 18th:Conservation Easements: Protecting the Land you Love  for more information.  REGISTER NOW! Provide your name and telephone number in an email to casey.cote@me.nacdnet.net

PAST Workshops                                                                                                                                

July 28th Trail Building and Maintenance Workshop

The St. John Valley Soil and Water Conservation District hosted a Trail Building and Maintenance workshop on July 28, 2009 at the Tenth Mountain Ski Center in Fort Kent. Sixteen people showed up to learn the ins-and-outs of trail maintence techniques, trail standards, and what problems to expect on the trail and how to solve them. The workshop was presented by Forester’s Tom Whitworth and Dave Rochester of the Maine Forest Service.

July 7th Introduction to Invasive Aquatic Plants Workshop

Seventeen people were in attendance at the Invasive Aquatic Plant Patrol workshop (IPP) a program of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Pictured are the participants learning how to recognize the invasive aquatic (water) plants on Maine's 'eleven most unwanted' list, and to distinguish these invaders from their native Maine look alikes. The IPP program promotes prevention, early detection and rapid response at the local level by providing training, educational materials, resources and technical support to groups and individuals across the State of Maine. The workshop was instructed by Roberta Hill of the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS
The District works on programs in schools and with groups throughout the St. John Valley.  Much of school-based work is funded through grants, although the District also provides education to those not covered by a specific project. 

Maine Apprentice Gardener Program: The St. John Valley SWCD is collaborating with the New Sweden Consolidated School to implement an elementary school curriculum that teaches children agricultural concepts through an experiential learning approach. The curriculum, titled Maine Apprentice Gardener Program, consists of a yearlong series of classroom lessons, experiments and activities for third and fourth grade, with extensive teacher support materials. The aim of the program is to educate students about the importance of agriculture and the environment to their daily lives, and apply what they learn to develop a school garden. This agriculture-based curriculum is not an add-on, meeting many of the Maine Learning Results requirements. It is cross-disciplinary and provides practice not only in science, but also in language, creative arts, health and mathematics. Made possible by a grant from Maine Ag in the Classroom.

Envirothon: This environmental competition is conducted throughout Maine in the spring.  High school students test their knowledge of natural resources and current environmental issues in an outdoor setting.  Teams of three to five students are tested at five stations:  Wildlife, Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, and a Current Natural Resources Issue. For more information visit the Maine Envirothon  website or contact the District.

EnviroScape Model: The EnviroScape model is a portable, table-top model that provides unique, interactive learning experiences. EnviroScape makes the connection between what we do on earth and environmental quality.  People of all ages use and enjoy learning with EnviroScape. EnviroScape is in every state in the U.S. and more than a dozen other countries. The District is available to come into your classroom and demonstrate pollution — and its prevention through the EnviroScape model creating a real sense of understanding through hands-on demonstrations. Students learn valuable lessons about watersheds, nonpoint source, stormwater pollution and prevention. Contact the District to schedule a lesson today!