Brewer High School and Maine TREE Announce Return of Innovative Forestry Immersion Program for Summer 2026

Following the success of previous pilot initiatives, the Brewer School Department and the Maine TREE Foundation are proud to announce the return of the Forestry Immersion Program for the summer of 2026. This unique educational partnership is made possible by a grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), which aims to strengthen the region's forest economy and workforce pipeline.

The Forestry Immersion Program offers a high-impact, place-based learning experience that connects students with the ecological, economic, and social importance of Maine’s forest landscapes. Unlike traditional classroom settings, the program emphasizes a student-led approach, allowing participants to engage directly with land management professionals, ecologists, and industry leaders while conducting hands-on field studies and technical training.

“The Forestry Immersion Program represents a necessary bridge from education to diverse career pathways in our state’s vibrant natural resources sector,” said Logan Johnson, Executive Director of the Maine TREE Foundation. “By immersing students in the forest environment, we are fostering Maine’s next generation of forest stewards, technicians, and innovators.”

“We are thrilled to see the return of the Forestry Immersion Program! This is a one-of-a-kind learning experience that provides opportunities that very few students ever get to realize. And for many kids, it's not a learning experience so much as it is a transformative experience. These students walk away from the program with life skills, capabilities, and a confidence that will serve them for a lifetime,” said Brent Slowikowski, Principal of Brewer High School

Originally conceived by Mark Savage and an Outdoor Education teacher at Brewer, the program ran its pilot year in 2023 and, in its first two seasons, has provided students with unique opportunities to earn credits toward their high school graduation while also gaining critical life skills. By putting students at the center of the inquiry process, the program ensures that the learning is relevant, rigorous, and deeply connected to their home communities.

The experience is rooted in the principles of place-based education and utilizes Maine’s forests as a living laboratory. Students will take the lead in identifying forest health indicators, utilize technical skills, and meet forest professionals working in Maine to gain a thorough understanding of Maine’s forest ecology and economy, along with the careers they can pursue.

The program's return for the 2026 season is supported by the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). The NBRC’s investment highlights the strategic importance of the forest products industry to the economic health of the Northern Border region. This funding ensures the program remains accessible to students, providing the necessary equipment, transportation, and expert instruction at no cost to participants.

Registration for the Summer 2026 Forestry Immersion program is currently open. For more information on the program or to apply, please visit www.MaineTREE.org/fip