AREA — The following classes will be offered by Androscoggin Valley Soil & Water Conservation District. To register for any of the events below, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/androscoggin-valley-swcd-44112741693.

Identifying Trees of Maine

Get hands-on experience identifying common species in the classroom and in the field with your local District foresters.

Saturday, March 11
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: AVSWCD (USDA Building), 254 Goddard Road, Lewiston
Cost: $50/person – includes lunch, three pocket guides, and additional resources
Registration Required.

There are so many trees in the forest but how do you tell them apart? Join District Foresters Julie Davenport and Shane Duigan to demystify the science of identifying trees. This all-day class will include both indoor and outdoor components with powerpoints, twig ID in the classroom, in-field identification, key identifying features of common species, and plenty of time to ask your local foresters all the questions you have! This class will leave you feeling confident to go into your own backyards and favorite walking trails and identify trees yourself!

The ticket price includes lunch, three pocket guides, and additional resources to take home with you.
Registration is required. For more information, or to register, visit the AVSWCD site listed above.

Reishi, Turkey Tail, and More!

Medicinal Mushrooms of Maine

Learn more about the medicinal value of local mushrooms you can find in the forest and how to identify them yourself.

Sunday, March 12
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: AVSWCD (USDA Building), 254 Goddard Road, Lewiston
Cost: $10/person
Pre-Registration is requested, but not required.

Mushrooms are going mainstream now; with new research topping headlines, new products with widespread ad campaigns, and even a hugely popular documentary. But medicinal mushrooms are nothing new. In fact, humans have been using and studying mushrooms for thousands of years for their varied and adaptive health benefits.

Join us for a presentation on medicinal mushrooms with local mushroom enthusiast Alyssa Pittera. We will begin with a brief introduction to mushrooms and then we will dive into the medicinal benefits of many of the mushrooms that you can find here in Maine. You’ll be able to look at samples of many of these mushrooms up close and even sample some tinctures. This will be a great workshop to get you excited for the upcoming mushroom season!
Registration is requested but not required. For more information, or to register, visit the AVSWCD site listed above.

Seeds of Spring: L/A Celebration

Get gardening tips to keep our ecosystems healthy, talk with local gardening experts and receive free resources, seeds, and nursery vouchers.

Monday, March 20
Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St, Lewiston
Cost: Free
Registration is requested but not required.

Let’s start the Spring season with a celebration! Join us for free refreshments and goodies for your garden. We’ll discuss the best gardening practices that keep our plants, soils, and watersheds healthy. Learn about the importance of native plants, eliminating chemical fertilizers, pollinator gardens, and more. Whether you’re new to gardening or have had a garden your whole life, all are welcome! Bring your questions and/or expertise and get the chance to socialize and network with other local gardeners. We’ll have information available about the community gardens in Lewiston and Auburn and how to sign up for plots in 2023.

The presentation will be from 5-6 p.m., but feel free to come by before or after to look through resources, talk to experts, apply for a garden plot, or grab some special garden goodies to celebrate the first day of Spring!

This program is sponsored by AVSWCD, Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission, St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, and the Lewiston Public Library.

What’s that Bark?

Learn how tree bark characteristics can be used to identify tree species in the winter when other identification clues are hiding.

Saturday, March 25
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary, Highland Spring Rd, Lewiston
Cost: $10/person
Registration is requested but not required.

Leaf identification is a great way to begin to identify trees, but how will you recognize your favorite trees in the winter?  Bark is a great way to identify trees and will help you understand the overall “look” that each species has. AVSWCD Project Director Emma Lorusso will help you hone your skills so you can head to the woods yourself with a more well-rounded understanding of tree identification!

Note: Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary does not allow dogs on the premises.

Registration is requested but not required. To register, visit the AVSWCD site listed above.

Basic+Advanced Erosion Control

Thursday, April 6
Time: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: AVSWCD (USDA Building), 254 Goddard Road, Lewiston
Cost: $75/person (includes lunch)
Registration is required.

In this 8-hour course, participants will learn: Why erosion control practices are important; Principles of erosion and sedimentation; How to properly install and maintain Erosion & Sedimentation Control (‘ESC’) Best Management Practices (BMPs); Regulations requiring ESC, using the Departments Permit By Rule process; In-water work procedures; ESC planning

Participants are provided with information on the proper selection, installation, and maintenance of ESC practices using Maine DEP’s Erosion and Sediment Control Practices Field Guide for Contractors.

This course is necessary to become a Contractor Certified in Erosion and Sedimentation Control Practices by the Department. The course is of primary interest to contractors but could also be helpful to municipal code enforcement officers, consultants, engineers, and public works employees.

Registration is required. For more information, or to register, visit the AVSWCD site listed above.