More than 80,000 Mainers own millions of Maine's forested acres as small woodlots. Click on underlined words to link to more information. Only about 3,000 of these individuals are active in either the Maine Tree Farm program or SWOAM (Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine). Few woodland owners take advantage of professional forestry expertise to help them plan for integration of all the natural resources present in their woodlands. Lack of awareness and planning sometimes leads to poor resource management decision making. Our first step in addressing this education and awareness need was to survey and subsequently understand the real and perceived barriers preventing more professional planning for these smaller woodland properties.  

With support from the Maine TREE Foundation, both Maine Tree Farm Committee, The American Tree Farm System and SWOAM are expanding the ways in which they assist small landowners. Maine TREE is providing significantly increased administrative support to the Tree Farm Committee as well as administering a pilot program of subsidized inspections of tree farms. Maine TREE is also supporting the SWOAM Forester Program which makes a forester available to work with any small woodlot owner to learn about the economic and environmental benefits of long-term forest management. A handbook and video co-sponsored by Maine TREE and SWOAM will compliment the work of the forester and be a reference for the landowner.

The Maine Tree Farm Committee has announced the selection of Lawrence Park of Presque Isle as the Maine Outstanding Tree Farmer of 2008.

Runners up in the Maine Tree Farmer of the Year Contest this year were Benjamin Welch of Dixfield and Andrew Abello and Amanda Russell of Edgecomb.  Welch also received the Oxford County Tree Farmer of 2008 award, while Abello and Russell's Wind Ridge Farm received the Lincoln County Tree Farmer of 2008 award.  Ronald and Sandra Kostron of China received the Kennebec County Tree Farmer of 2008 award.

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has named Jo and Kathey Pierce of Cumberland County, Maine as the 2007 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. 

The Pierces received the award during the 14th Annual National Tree Farmer Convention held in Madison, Wisconsin. This annual ATFS award recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned forestland.

The Pierce Family Tree Farm is the tangible exhibition of the Pierce family pride in land ownership and management. The sixth generation of his family to reside on the family property, Jo Pierce and his family are considered champions of forest management and conservation. The original Josiah Pierce (Jo's great, great, great grandfather) built his home and established his sawmill business in 1785. The original Josiah Pierce built his house in 1785 and his family had several sawmills. Jo Pierce is now the sixth generation to own and live on the family farm. While under a comprehensive management plan since the 1960's, Jo and Kathey Pierce revise their plan every 10 years. Under the skillful guidance of a licensed professional forester, Rene Noel, Jr., the Pierces devised formalized prescriptions to meet their forestry management goals. A highly respected forestry consultant, Noel helped the Pierces match their harvesting philosophy to coincide with environmental safeguards. Their harvest prescription plan is formulated to improve the growth of the best trees.

Beyond forestry management, the Pierce family is dedicated to wildlife conservation. As partners with the Maine Fish and Wildlife Department, they have successfully captured and relocated wild turkeys in an effort to reinvigorate the bird population in Maine. Additionally, their land is home to deer, bats, barn swallows, red tailed hawks, moose, and bobcats. A black bear has made a den in a pile of rocks at the 100 year old former railroad construction site. As part of their wildlife conservation efforts, Jo Pierce was appointed to the Northern Cottontail Group which considered whether to place the rabbits on the endangered species list for protection against extinction. Furthermore, a wild island on the Saco River on the Pierce Tree Farm property has been reserved for canoeists and campers to enjoy the splendors of the Maine wilderness.

Active members of numerous conservation and community organizations. Jo and Kathey Pierce are members of the Maine State Tree Farm Committee (2002-present); the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine (1987-present); the Southern Maine Maple Sugar Makers; the Maine Grange (since 1960) and the Maine Historical Society (since 1978). Jo Pierce's commitment to forestry advocacy and outreach led to his appointment to the Maine Governor's Task Force on Certifications; the Baldwin Planning Board and the Governor's Task Force on Public Use of Private Land.

Congratulations, Jo & Kathey!

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