LEWISTON – Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District will offer two workshops in June for property owners of the central Maine region.

A Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop and Training Session will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 11. The morning will begin with a short classroom session at the district offices at 254 Goddard Rd. The class will then travel to Shore Road for field training.

Participants will first learn about basic road building and maintenance techniques, then be introduced to a road maintenance tool called the front runner. Those who complete training on use of the front runner will have access to the equipment for use on gravel roads.

The class will be of particular interest to owners of private gravel roads or municipal personnel responsible for maintenance of gravel roads.

Preregistration is required. The registration fee of $10 will cover the cost of handouts and light refreshments. The No Name Pond Watershed Association is hosting the field event.

A forestry workshop is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 19, to benefit individuals who own or manage 10 or more acres of forested land. Participants will meet at the Maine Forest Service offices at 356 Shaker Road, Gray, then travel to Panther Pond in Raymond to visit a 200-acre property owned by Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine that has been harvested.

The program will identify conservation practices that will help small landowners maintain aesthetics and soil and water quality during a harvest. On-site discussions will include time-of-year harvesting, options for harvesting equipment, pre-commercial thinning and effects of harvesting.

Speakers will be Paul Larrivee and Kevin Doran of the Maine Forest Service and Gordon Stuart, retired, U.S. Forest Service. Preregistration is required, and a fee of $10 will be charged. For more information or to register, contact the Androscoggin Valley district weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 753-9400, ext. 400.

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