NORWAY — An Ecological Forestry and Woodlot Management Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, and Sunday, Sept. 8, at Roberts Farm Preserve.

The Center for an Ecology-Based Economy, in conjunction with The Western Foothills Land Trust and Oxford Hills/Buckfield Adult Education, will host a two-day forestry workshop at the Robert’s Farm Preserve in Norway in preparation for the construction of a traditional timber frame sugar house at the preserve.

Participants will gain knowledge of both theory and practice of sustainable forestry and woodlot management through hands-on learning. Subsequent workshops in October will utilize the timbers harvested in this workshop to craft the frame of the sugar house which will be used by SAD 17 middle school students as part of their science curriculum.

Participants in the workshop will learn how to sustainably and ecologically manage forest resources while achieving desired yields of timber and firewood. This part of the workshop will be led by John Gunn, Ph.D., executive director of the Natural Assets Laboratory and former director of forest stewardship for the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands.

Woodlot Safety and Tree Felling will be presented by Al Schaeffer of SAD 17 who is a registered professional forester and Game of Logging instructor. Participants will gain skills to work confidently and safely in the woods.

Logging with horses and operating a portable bandsaw mill will be also be demonstrated as participants harvest and mill timbers for the Robert’s Farm Sugar House. The weekend workshop will be led by Shawn Kane and Scott Vlaun, who built the existing Robert’s Farm warming hut and equipment barn.

Fee is $195. For course information and registration contact adulted@sad17.k12.me.us or call 207-743-8842.