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Project Canopy Assistance and Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Restoration Grants are available to state, county, and municipal governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations for developing and implementing community forestry projects and programs. Project Canopy, delivered to you by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service (MFS), anticipates that $125,000 will be available in Project Canopy Assistance and $700,000 will be available in Urban and Community Forestry Restoration grants to support community forestry projects. Deadline October 30, 2025.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the City of Belfast are hosting a workshop September 11, 9:30 AM - Noon, to update city and town tree and forest managers and public works staff along with interested community members on the known status of emerald ash borer in Maine, local and state management efforts, municipal support opportunities, and will include plenty of time for Q&A.
We plan to make a Teams Webinar option available for those who want to join remotely; however, we encourage in-person attendance for the best experience.
Ash trees have unique cultural and ecological value, and are threatened by the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB). This event for landowners, conservationists, municipal staff, foresters and anyone with curiosity about ash will focus on sharing effective strategies to preserve ash. This full day of events will feature talks from resource managers and researchers in the morning, and live Wabanaki basketmaking demonstrations and forest field trips in the afternoon.
September 27: Hosted by APCAW and Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust, 10am-4pm @ Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust Wildlands (Orland, ME).
AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is urging Mainers to act against Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), an invasive plant that poses a serious threat to the state’s forests, wetlands, and communities.
First detected in Maine in 2020, Japanese stiltgrass has now been confirmed in Sagadahoc and York Counties, with a new and concerning patch discovered in York in August 2025. Left unchecked, this fast-spreading invader can overtake native plants, degrade soil health, and even increase the risk of wildfires.
“Japanese stiltgrass is one of the most aggressive invasive plants we’ve seen in Maine,” said Gary Fish, DACF State Horticulturalist. “It crowds out native species, alters the natural balance of our forests, and leaves behind dry fuel that makes our woodlands more vulnerable to fire. We need the public’s help to find and report it before it spreads further.”
Why Japanese Stiltgrass is a Threat
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Displaces native plants: Releases chemicals into the soil and dead thatch left behind prevents trees, flowers, and native grasses from growing.
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Alters habitats: Changes soil chemistry and takes over trail sides, roadsides, wetlands, and forest understories.
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Raises wildfire risk: Its dry, dead stems create dangerous fuel in the fall.
The plant grows 1-3' tall and spread outward producing thousands of tiny seeds that hitchhike on boots, tires, animals, and equipment such as lawnmowers. Seeds can easily travel to new areas and sprout each year.
The Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) Industry Trends committee – charged with monitoring the issues impacting your work – is seeking information on your experiences with insurance companies and urban tree canopy. There is growing evidence that insurance companies are directing the pruning or removal of trees, and the committee wants to fully understand the issue. Your responses to the survey below will help compile stories and evidence so that UCFS can work with industry partners and draft position statements.
September 10, 17 & 24: Forest Walk Meditation, Range Pond State Park, Poland
September 13 & 27: Adopt a Tree at Range Pond State Park
September 14, 9 AM to 1PM: The Wild Ones Native Plant Celebration & Sale, Camden Public Library Amphitheatre
September 16: Oxford County Ash Seed Collection Training, 4-6PM, Robert's Farm
September 19, 20 & 21: 2025 Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Common Ground Fair (Stop at the MFS booth in the Low-Impact Forestry Demonstration Area)
October 5-7: New England ISA Annual Conference & Trade Show, Southbridge, MA
October 14: 12PM, Webinar: TREE Fund — Policy Strategies to Value and Retain Mature Urban Trees on Private Lands
October 23: Jumping Worms in Maine, Corinna, American Legion. Email brittany.schappach@maine.gov with questions.
November 19-20: Partners in Community Forestry Conference, Henderson, NV
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