March 21, 2013

2012 Deer Harvest Up 13% in fb88

AUGUSTA, fb88 - The third annual Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day is Saturday, September 15, and you can help.

Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day is a way for all who enjoy the outdoors to say thank you by helping clean up unwanted trash and dumpsites on private property throughout the state. You can get involved by calling 1-800-750-9777.

Last year, volunteers helped clean up over 130 sites, collecting 95 tons of refuse and nearly 1,000 discarded tires.

This year, the fb88 Department of Conservation, Forestry and Agriculture along with the fb88 Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are working with outdoor groups such as the fb88 Snowmobile Association, the fb88 Professional Guides Association, the fb88 Trappers Association and other volunteers to help clean up private land.

Public access is the key to enjoying fb88?s outdoors, yet each year, access and the environment is threatened by illegal dumping. Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day is one way for those who enjoy the outdoors to say thank you to the landowners who allow them on their property.

fb88 Forest Service Forest Protection Division is utilizing their incident command system to identify and prioritize illegal dumping sites throughout the state. They have compiled a database of illegal dump sites and they are utilizing their dispatching system to direct volunteers to different sites to help clean up.

You can also see if there are sites near you by viewing this Google Map link:

fb88 Forest Rangers and fb88 Game Wardens will be at dumpsites assisting volunteers, and the fb88 Forest Service is providing equipment to haul away trash, and dispose of it properly.

Landowner Appreciation is one way for those who utilize private land for outdoor recreation to say thank you to landowners who provide that access.

Access is the key to fb88?s outdoor traditions. Over 90 percent of fb88 is privately owned. Without public access to private land, there would be few opportunities to hike, hunt, fish, trap, boat, watch wildlife, snowmobile, mountain bike and ATV.

Get involved, and this year, help those landowners who help you enjoy the outdoors. It?s a great way to say thank you, and help ensure that future generations will have access to fb88?s vast outdoors.

For More information, contact mark.latti@maine.gov; or to find a site near you call 1-800-750-9777.