Recently, our friends at the Brewer Land Trust reached out to us to see if we would help with an interesting project – tree inventory.
I know, I know! But before you laugh, consider this - forests cover nearly 90% of our state. In most states, the USDA Forest Service and State personnel keep track of those trees. Phew! But for Maine’s communities, a tree inventory (the systematic gathering of information about the urban forest and the organizing of it into usable information for tree management) provides important information about the health of these particular trees.
As we work to continue the progress that has been made in restoring the Penobscot River, we’ve quickly realized that we are all part of a larger community. We all must take responsibility for the health and future of our river and the health and future of our natural resources. The Brewer Land Trust is a great partner in these efforts and volunteering is a fun place to start.
The mission of the Brewer Land Trust is to cooperatively protect and preserve the natural and scenic resources of the City of Brewer and State of Maine, to encourage open space and green areas, to increase public awareness and understanding of the importance in conservation of natural resources and the interrelationships that exist among them, and to foster a trail system connecting to public areas and regional trails with all of the above for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations.
Interrelationships! Bingo!
Working together, and using a mobile application, volunteers can capture the species, health, size, and location information for each tree. And, with this data, maps can be made, providing a baseline and allowing for the creation of a sound management plan that recognizes the importance of balancing economic, environmental, and quality of life factors.
At the end of the day, the long-term progress of our river is directly connected to the trees along its banks. We’ll never look at a tree the same again!