When:
January 11 and 12, 2024
8AM – 4PM
Where:
Jeff’s Catering and Event Center
East/West Industrial Park
15 Eventcenter Way
Brewer, Maine 04412
Why:
Project SHARE is hosting a workshop to share lessons from leaders in the field of river restoration and discuss ideas for how to apply some of those lessons to advance recovery efforts for Atlantic salmon with particular focus in Downeast Maine. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to cooperatively explore some of the legacy impacts of historic land use practices and take part in conversations geared toward developing consensus around activities that will (1) do no harm and (2) have the potential of “moving the needle” on Atlantic salmon recovery. The desired outcomes of this workshop support the five-year work plan for the Downeast Salmon Habitat Recovery Unit (SHRU) Team which calls for the development of a “Recovery Toolbox” that citizens, agencies, and NGOs can use to advance Atlantic Salmon recovery efforts. While much of the content is specific to Downeast Maine, much of the information and discussion will be applicable to habitat restoration efforts throughout Maine, New England, and the Maritime Provinces. Speakers will include several notable members of the restoration community from the Pacific Northwest. The final agenda will be available for distribution soon.
Some of the confirmed speakers and topics include:
Dr. Lloyd Irland - Repairing Maine's Rivers: Burdens of History and Challenges for the Future
Dr. John Field - Geomorphic effects of “engineering” Maine watersheds
Dr. John Kocik - Revisiting Salmon by the Numbers in a RAD (Resist Accept, Direct) Framework – Habitat for Tomorrow and 2050
Dr. Brian Cluer - Stage 0 Restoration
Johan Hogervorst - The Evolution of restoration practices in the Pacific Northwest
Paul Powers - Geomorphic Assessments of the Upper Narraguagus using LIDAR
To register:
Please contact: Steven Koenig at: stevenkoenig0@gmail.com
The cost will be $65.00 to cover lunch and break snacks for the 2 days.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Steven Koenig at (207) 214-6096 or stevenkoenig0@gmail.com
Young browntail caterpillars create their winter webs in the summer and early fall by combining leaves together with white silk. During the winter, browntail caterpillars are dormant and rest inside their webs where they are protected from the harsh weather. These webs are usually at the tips of branches of their favorite host trees: oak, fruit trees (including ornamental varieties), black cherry, elm, birch, shadbush, roses, and others.
 Browntail webs are only a few inches long; about the size of the palm of your hand (left). Winter webs have white silk that can stand out on sunny days (right).
What can you do now to reduce browntail moth next year?
Winter is the best time to check your property for winter webs created by browntail. If you do have winter webs in your trees, follow the 4 Rs to Knockout Browntail:
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Recognize winter webs. On a sunny winter day, stand with your back to the sun and look at your trees. Because their winter webs are made with silk, the webs will reflect the sunlight and be easier to spot. Consider focusing on trees in high traffic areas (i.e. closest to your house or areas of recreation).
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Remove winter webs before April. Each winter web can contain 25-400 caterpillars; removing winter webs in high traffic areas (like your dooryard) can help reduce the browntail caterpillars that will emerge next year. Webs can be removed using pruning shears or an extendable pole pruner. Removal is recommended during the winter, when the webs are easiest to see, but before they emerge from their webs in April.
- Destroy webs after removal by soaking them in a bucket of soapy water for a few days, or burning them in a safely contained fire to kill caterpillars inside the webs. Clipped webs that remain on the ground outside still contain live caterpillars that will emerge in the spring and climb back up the host tree.
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Recruit professionals when you can't remove winter webs. Some webs found in tall trees may only be removed by a licensed professional. Check out our list of licensed arborists or our list of FAA-certified commercial remote pilots who offer browntail web removal in tall trees using unmanned aerial vehicles.
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Reach out and educate others on the benefits of removal. The more browntail webs that are removed, the more likely it is that impacts may be reduced. Consider hosting a clipping party to remove winter webs in your neighborhood!
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Maine Forest Service District Forester Kenny Fergusson uses an extendable pole pruner to remove winter webs at a clipping event in Orono, Maine. Photo: Megan Hess, Orono Public Works.
Should I consider using pesticides to treat browntail moth?
Pesticides may be considered for trees around your house or backyard when winter web removal is not possible. Pesticide treatments are most effective at reducing harmful impacts from browntail when they are applied by a licensed professional in the spring and the treatments will take effect before the end of May.
Winter is a great time to reach out to pesticide applicators to assess trees on your property and set up an appointment for pesticide treatment in spring. We have compiled a list of local licensed pesticide applicators for hire that are willing to treat browntail moth. Please note that these companies responded to a Maine Forest Service survey and agreed to be listed in this resource; the Maine Forest Service does not recommend these companies above any others.
More Resources to Knock Out Browntail:
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