A week in the woods: 2026 Forests of Maine Teachers’ Tour Recap

2026 Forests of Maine Teachers' Tour visits an active timber harvest.

Since 1997, the Maine TREE Foundation has been guiding educators into the heart of the woods for a unique, week-long professional development experience: the Forests of Maine Teachers' Tour. This immersive program connects teachers directly with the state's vibrant forest industry. By exploring complex ecosystems, sustainable forest management, and the economic and environmental value of our state's natural resources, educators gain firsthand insights to inspire the next generation of forest stewards.

This year’s tour kicked off at the beautiful Gorman Chairback Lodge, where we laid the foundation for the busy week ahead. The first afternoon focused on getting to know Maine’s forests, from individual tree species to regional landscapes. Educators also learned how to use the forest as a teaching tool, setting the stage for the days to come.

Participants learn about stream crossings and watershed management.

The second day began with educators deepening their understanding of Wabanaki culture and language through a sense-of-place activity, learning Penobscot place names in the Penobscot watershed. The bus tour took us back in time, with a morning visit to the Katahdin Iron Works State Historic Site, where they explored how land use has changed over the centuries. After a quick midday lunch and an interactive educational activity called "Every Tree for Itself" at the Forestry Immersion Program’s Camp, the tour continued with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) land. Here, teachers explored modern forest management, learning how foresters balance competing goals like commercial timber production, wildlife conservation, and public recreation.

Day Three offered a behind-the-scenes look at forest management and operations with Weyerhaeuser. In the morning, teachers delved into the high-tech planning side of the business, seeing how data analysis, mapping, and economics are used to plan decades in advance. Educators were then tasked to create a land management plan. In teams, they worked together to complete a Project Learning Tree® activity, “If You Were the Boss”, specifically adapted to reflect the complexity of land management in Maine. In the afternoon, they headed into the forest to witness an active harvest, seeing those digital plans come to life on the ground.

The fourth day bridged the gap between natural resources and the classroom. The day began at the Pleasant River Lumber mill, where teachers watched how logs are processed into commercial wood products. A highlight of this stop was the focus on sustainability and how modern technology is used to ensure every bit of wood fiber is utilized. From there, the group pivoted to the Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District’s Williamsburg Forest for a hands-on forest-based education session that highlighted how forestry encompasses a whole ecosystem, from soil chemistry and water management to wildlife habitats.

To wrap up the week, the tour returned to where it all began for a morning of reflection and action. Educators gathered in collaborative working groups to translate their experiences into tangible lesson plans and brainstorm new teaching strategies. 

This impactful week of learning, connection, and growth is made possible by the generous support of Maine TREE's donors, whose contributions continue to keep Maine’s classrooms connected to the living, working forests that shape our state.

Special thanks to: