Community Forest WORKING GROUP (LACFB)

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

The SNRB appoints members to the Working Groups.  All Working Groups are between 5 and 11 members. Standing working groups shall provide a quarterly report to the SNRB. All meetings of the SNRB and standing working groups shall be open to the public, and notice, if required by law, should be provided to the public about such meetings.

Members

REPRESENTING AUBURN: Dave Griswold (Chair and contact), Sam Boss, Rhyanna Larose, Jeremy Lavertu, Noel Skelton (Auburn City Arborist).

REPRESENTING LEWISTON: Zoe Lidstrom, Robin Payne, Hunter Kissam, and Steve Murch (Lewiston City Arborist).

LA Community Forest Board Accomplishments

Lewiston Auburn Community Forest Board Strategic Plan 2024-2028

2022 Summary

News

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

Education

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.

Meeting Schedule

Meetings are typically held the third Thursday of every month, 7:00pm, at varying locations.  

The City of Auburn is committed to raising awareness of invasive species, the threats they pose, and what can be done to slow or prevent their spread. The dedicated community volunteers on Auburn's Conservation Working Group and the L-A Community Forest Board are very proud to present this informational video about Asiatic BITTERSWEET, which grows as a climbing vine or shrub. It kills native plants by growing over them, blocking sunlight, and choking stems and trunks. We encourage you to watch & learn, then be on the lookout for bittersweet in your yard or neighborhood.