Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 30 : Fall 2016 | Page 70

presentations are aimed at providing a balanced
view of industrial forest practices, stewardship,
and conservation. Students learn about Irving’s
intensive tree planting and thinning programs
as well as other forestry practices which
emphasize efficient wood production. A tour
of the Nature Conservancy (TNC) properties
provides another perspective of forestry
practices. TNC manages for timber production
as well but typically does not employ such
intensive forestry measures. Instead emphasis is
on promoting natural regeneration and many
of their forestry activities not only focus on
growing trees for forest products, but also on
maintaining and improving wildlife habitat for
such species as the Canada lynx.
Since the first course offering in 2004, the NMW
field forestry camp experience has become an
anticipated and memorable benchmark event.
Camp philosophy seems to have evolved into,
“Work hard, play a little, and build an awesome
fire.” One entire afternoon is dedicated to
canoeing down the Allagash and across Round
Pond. From there, participants climb to the fire
tower on Round Pond Mountain. For those
who fish, a couple of hours on the Allagash is
rewarding. When work is done each evening,
campfire discussions turn to comparisons of
summer internships, hunting, fishing, boating
and stories of woods experiences. For some
students, the time spent at forestry camp, deep
in the North Maine Woods is the highlight of
their education at UMFK.
“While at camp, the students work very hard
and learn a lot. It’s a chance to apply what
they studied the previous semester in lecture.
However, they also manage to find a way to
have fun while at camp. Through the years,
many students have commented that camp has
been the most rewarding part of their forestry
education,” said Jeff Dubis, UMFK Instructor
of Forestry and Applied Forest Management
Program Coordinator.

Photo © 2016 Lovena West
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FALL 2016