Salt, typically in the form of sodium chloride, is widely used to melt ice and improve traction on slippery surfaces. However, when used excessively, it doesn’t just stay on the driveway or sidewalk—it ends up washing away into nearby waterways, soils, and ecosystems. Here’s how overuse of salt can cause harm:

When walking through a woodland, it's easy to see fallen branches, decaying trees, and scattered brush piles as unsightly messes in an otherwise serene landscape. However, debris plays an essential role in the health and vitality of forest ecosystems. Leaving woody debris in place is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support your woodland's ecological balance.

Maine winters can be unpredictable, with temperature swings, heavy snow, and strong winds challenging even the healthiest landscapes. Fortunately, with a bit of preparation, we can mitigate winter damage to your woodlots, farms, and backyard.

Fall foliage means it’s officially time to start draining and closing your pool. Whether you’re a new or seasoned pool owner, it’s always good to have a quick refresher on best practices when draining your pool. Pool water can contain 260-450 times the allowable chlorine limit for fresh water in Maine and can cause serious environmental damage.

The Spruce Mountain Envirothon Team finished 20th overall at the National Conservation Foundation International Envirothon held at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York from July 28th - August 3rd.

A plant is considered good for erosion control based on several key characteristics that enable it to stabilize soil, reduce runoff, and protect against soil loss. Factors like deep roots, good ground coverage, hardy, and low maintenance make these three native plants good candidates in Maine.

The Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District seeks a motivated and energetic leader to serve as its part-time Executive Director to develop into a full time position.

Election notice for District Supervisor for the Somerset County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Fireflies are a magical part of summer nights, but their populations are dwindling. You can help bring back these enchanting insects by making a few changes to your yard and gardening practices. Here are some effective ways to improve firefly populations based on insights from Firefly.org.

We at the Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation District believe that the best insights often come from those who are in the field every day, facing challenges, finding solutions, and nurturing the land. That's why we are extending an open invitation to landowners, managers, and farmers in Maine to share your experiences and techniques on our blog.

On April 25, thirty-eight students from eight high schools converged on Lake George Regional Park to participate in our regional Maine Envirothon, a demonstration of knowledge and passion for environmental issues.

This woody debris is no longer living but it is far from “dead”.