Maine

Songbirds and human interaction, University of Maine at Augusta researchers to present study findings Tuesday

Published

4 days ago

September 22, 2024

AUGUSTA – Two professors from the University of Maine at Augusta will be presenting their research on the effects of human interaction on Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) behavior and nest predation on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 12 to 1 p.m. in Jewett Hall, room 180 on the UMA Augusta campus, 46 University Drive.

Marielle Postava-Davignon and Jennifer Long, both UMA assistant professors of biology, compared jay behavior and nest predation levels in New Hampshire and Maine between sites where little human interaction has been documented, and sites located at popular recreation areas where feeding has been well documented. They captured, banded, tracked and recorded the birds’ behavior to determine if human interaction impacts important behaviors such as predation and breeding.

The Canada jay, when living near humans, can be a friendly little songbird that seems to enjoy engaging with humans and the free food we provide, whether in a feeder or out of a trash can at a scenic overlook. Known by several other names such as the gray jay, whiskey jack, and even camp robber, they might steal food from your picnic table and even eat right out of your hand. It was this bold behavior that caught the attention of Postava-Davignon, an avid hiker.

“One tried to steal my lunch when I was hiking and was rather pesky about it,” she quipped. She then wondered if it was or wasn’t okay to feed them, and if doing so caused them to be so audacious. Back home and after a thorough search for information, she found nothing definitive on the subject. She invited Long to join the project, and so it began. Through their research, Drs. Long and Postava-Davignon observed that Canada jays living in more remote areas often behave differently from their more urban-dwelling counterparts.

Come hear what they discovered about these behavioral differences and their implications. This one hour presentation will be on the UMA campus and also remotely on Zoom. Visit https://www.uma.edu/academics/research/research-colloquium/ for more information.

UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs. For more information, please visit uma.edu.

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Maine

University of Maine System issuing new RFP for Hutchinson Center

Published

5 hours ago

September 26, 2024

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University of Maine System issuing new RFP for Hutchinson Center

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – The University of Maine System is re-starting the process to find a buyer for the Hutchinson Center.

Starting next week, the University of Maine will issue a new request for proposals, or RFP, for the property in Belfast.

UMaine went through this process before, ultimately selecting a winning bid from Calvary Chapel Belfast.

However, after multiple appeals, UMS reversed course earlier this month, saying there were shortcomings in the first evaluation process.

The new RFP opens at noon next Friday, Oct. 4.

Interested parties, including the three organizations who submitted proposals the first time, will have until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 to respond.

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Maine

Village of Maine holds board meeting after 6 firefighters abruptly resign

Published

16 hours ago

September 26, 2024

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Village of Maine holds board meeting after 6 firefighters abruptly resign

VILLAGE OF MAINE, Wis. (WSAW) – The Village of Maine is dealing with a sudden firefighter shortage after six members, including the chief and two lieutenants, resigned at a board meeting on Monday night.

They take with them nearly 30 years of experience. Their departure is largely due to the deputy chief who was demoted and suspended for an incident of equipment misuse.

One former firefighter tells NewsChannel 7 they feel the board has too much control and the chief should make more decisions.

They question if the department can properly serve its communities without, what they say, are their top responders.

On Tuesday night the board held a meeting to discuss a plan to move forward.

“Tonight’s officer and board meeting was planned to start the groundwork for a positive transition,” Village President Betty Hoenisch stated. “After a couple of conversations with Captain Leo Gau, he felt it would be best for the new officers to meet and put a tentative plan together. That plan will then be put together and brought to the Village of Maine Board, and that plan may result in revisions being made to Maine’s fire department bylaws and standard operating guidelines.”

According to the department’s roster, they now have 15 firefighters. However, not all members are active.

Hoenisch says the community is still safe and there are no lapses in response. The Maine Fire Department also serves the Towns of Berlin and Stettin.

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Maine

Maine names new director of outdoor recreation

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2024

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Maine names new director of outdoor recreation

Jeff McCabe was announced Wednesday as the new director of Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation. Photo courtesy of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development

Jeff McCabe is the new director of Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, the state announced Wednesday.

The outdoor recreation office is a part of Maine’s tourism office in the Department of Economic and Community Development.

McCabe succeeds Carolann Ouellette, who was promoted in May to lead the tourism office. Ouellette had been Maine’s tourism director from 2010-2016. McCabe, a former Democratic majority leader in the Maine House, had served as deputy director of outdoor recreation since November.

“Maine’s Outdoor Recreation economy is strong and growing,” McCabe said in a statement. “It has been an honor to work with and to hear from those in the industry from across the state and I look forward to the work ahead.”

The Office of Outdoor Recreation was established in 2019 to leverage the state’s parks, waters, woods and mountains; to grow that sector of the economy; and to build Maine’s reputation as a destination for activities such as fishing, camping and snow sports.

“Jeff will be able to seamlessly continue and build upon the important work being done in outdoor recreation to contribute to Maine’s economy,” said Heather Johnson, commissioner of economic and community development.

About 32,000 people work in the outdoor recreation industry in Maine, which contributes about $3.3 billion annually and makes up nearly 4% of the state economy, according to the department. Maine ranks sixth in the country in terms of the value that the industry adds to the state economy.

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