PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook County Conservation Association held a general membership meeting at the Northeastland hotel on May 20. This was their first meeting in 27 months due to concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officers and directors were elected and President Jerry McLaughlin gave the members a brief summary of our previous activities. He reported that within our supplemental feeding program, deer consumed 190 round bales of alfalfa this past winter as compared to 135 bales over the previous winter. He also reported that within our predator management program, 77 coyotes were harvested this past year as compared to 164 and 209 coyotes respectively in the two previous years. McLaughlin explained that these important statistics, when viewed together, may mean that fewer coyotes in the County resulted in more hungry deer to feed and that absent any proof to the contrary the ACCA is being successful in our conservation efforts.
Next, guest speaker Randy Martin gave an important presentation entitled “Establishing Habitat for Pollinators.” Martin is the executive director of the Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District. Pollinating insects are often overlooked but they are vital to our agricultural and gardening success. He invited the public to contact him if they need additional information. He can be reached at 207-551-3687.
President McLaughlin made the final presentation of the evening. He announced the creation of a new winter habitat conservation program that is being conducted in Aroostook County between the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and the Aroostook County Conservation Association. It’s called the Aroostook County Whitetail Deer Collaboration. He explained that this is a program in which money is raised through donations to buy real estate where deer are using it as winter habitat. It will then be managed, improved and protected from being cut by timber companies. Every dollar raised will be matched on a 3-to-1 basis by funds generated through the Pittman-Robertson excise tax. In conclusion, Al Cowperthwaite, formerly employed by the North Maine Woods organization, donated $10,000 on behalf of Longroad Energy Corporation.
