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VIENNA — The Kennebec Land Trust and Maine Woodland Owners will host a two-part introduction to non-timber forest products and Maine’s current-use property tax programs at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at Mill Stream Grange, Route 41.
There will be a a field walk to accompany the workshop, April 29, at the Vienna Woods on Trask Road. The Kennebec Land Trust holds a conservation easement on this 71-acre parcel.
Dave Fuller, of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and Harold Burnett, Two Trees Forestry, will be the guest presenters.
Woodlots produce more than just trees and wildlife habitat. Fuller will discuss and sample wild edibles with some other non-timber forest products as potential sources of recreation, income and sustenance. The opportunities to procure materials for familiar Maine products, including maple syrup, balsam pillows and wreaths, and birch bark, will be discussed along with fiddlehead ferns, wild leeks, birch syrup and weather sticks; the list is endless.
However, when it comes to property tax options for the same Maine landowners, the list of options is short.
Recent rises in tree growth assessment rates have put some open space and tree growth assessments at surprising parity.
State and municipal concerns about suspected tree growth tax program misuse have heightened landowner awareness and concern.
Burnett will evaluate which current-use program is best suited to a property owner’s needs by presenting basic background information on the current-use programs and demonstrating a current-use calculator to review the three tax programs.
Landowners may bring their property’s assessment record to plug into the calculator to review how assessments under each program may differ.
Pizza and light refreshments will be served at the Grange.
For directions, more information, and to RSVP for dinner, call 207-377-2848 or email Kbrewer@tklt.org.
PHOTO: Fiddlehead up close. (Zach Harder photo)
