Community Forest WORKING GROUP

Part of the Sustainability & Natural Resource Management Board

The Lewiston-Auburn Community Forest Board will be a standing working group of the Auburn Sustainability and Natural Resource Management Commission. The Community Forest Working Group shall develop and implement a program that promotes the socio-economic, environmental, and aesthetic values of the Community Forest.

The Community Forest Working Group:

Shall advocate for Auburn’s Community Forest, defined as the sum of street trees, trees associated with public facilities including parks and schools, and public woodlots under the jurisdiction of the City or the School Department
Shall maintain Auburn’s Tree City USA certification which includes Maine Arbor Week Activities
Shall raise funds and develop grant applications to support the Community Forest
Shall collaborate and coordinate with public and private organizations including the working groups of the Sustainability & Natural Resources Board, Planning Board and City Council to provide advice, information and policy recommendations
Shall advise staff concerning the Street Tree Inventory and Public Woodlots Forest Management Plan
Shall meet jointly with representatives from Lewiston to maintain the Lewiston-Auburn Community Forest Board (LACFB) established and continually operating since 2001. LACFB jointly established and manages the tree nursery on North Auburn Road under an easement for the benefit of both cities
Shall provide education opportunities to the public to enhance understanding and appreciation of issues related to the Community Forest, including tree planting, tree care, invasive plant and insect issues, and the socio-economic benefits of the Community Forest

Members

REPRESENTING AUBURN: Dave Griswold (Chair), Sam Boss (Conservation Commission), Rhyanna Larose (Conservation Commission), Carissa Aoki and Gary Wadsworth (staff)

REPRESENTING LEWISTON: Richard Shea (Secretary), Cassidy Cloutier, Katheryn Flanagan, Joshua Nagine, Chris Pelkey and Steve Murch (staff)

LA Community Forest Board Accomplishments

Lewiston Auburn Community Forest Board Strategic Plan 2016-2020

2022 Summary

News

Read about efforts to eradicate Asiaric bittersweet, an invasive vine: Lewiston, Auburn to create management plan for damaging invasive vine

Special event

Winter is a great time to fight Browntail, as nests can be easily spotted, clipped & destroyed. The Auburn Conservation Commission, Lewiston-Auburn Community Forest Board, and the City of Auburn are proud to present a recent discussion (via Zoom) on Browntail moth and other invasive pests.

Special guest: Allison Kanoti, Director of the Maine Forest Service Forest Health and Monitoring Division.

To view the webinar, CLICK HERE.