LEWISTON — Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), in cooperation with Maine Soil & Water Conservation Districts, who received a grant from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation (DACF), will present a workshop as part of the Invasive Forest Pests Outreach Program.

This workshop is designed to help residents identify current and potential invasive forest pests and host species, to understand the threats these pests pose, and to learn how to report suspected pest sightings and damage. All participants will receive an information packet with fact sheets, species lists, and other relevant information regarding these three workshop goals.

The Androscoggin Valley SWCD will hold the workshop on Wednesday, March 23, from 9:30 a.m. to  1:30 p.m. at the USDA Service Center, 254 Goddard Road in Lewiston. The workshop will consist of a classroom lesson followed by an optional “walk and talk” site visit, weather permitting, at Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary. This gives workshop goers an opportunity to apply the skills learned in the classroom in a practical setting, though it is important to note that Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary is not wheelchair accessible.

The invasive forest pests workshops, across the state, are free for all participants. Androscoggin Valley SWCD asks that interested individuals register for the workshop no less than five days before the event date. Registration forms can be found on their website at www.androscogginswcd.org/ or by contacting Jane Heikkinen at 753-9400 or at [email protected].

Join friends, neighbors, professionals, and your local Soil and Water Conservation District for this interactive workshops to learn about identifying and preventing the spread of invasive forest pests and become part of the team needed in protecting Maine’s natural resources.

For more information about the Invasive Forest Pests Outreach Program or to find other workshops around the state, please visit the Maine Association of Conservation Districts website at maineconservationdistricts.com/forest-pest-outreach/.

Androscoggin Valley SWCD is an equal opportunity employer and program provider.