Spring Live Stakes Workshop Series
Restoring Maine’s Shorelines: A Recap of the Spring Live Stakes Series
A Season of Hands-On Conservation and Community Action
This spring, a wave of hands-on conservation swept across Maine. From the banks of the Ducktrap Preserve to the scenic trails of French Mountain, communities joined forces to learn the art and science of live staking.
What is Live Staking?
It is a simple, low-cost restoration technique that uses dormant cuttings from native trees and shrubs. When planted correctly along shorelines, these "stakes" root quickly to stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and create vital habitat for fish and wildlife. It is a powerful way for individuals to take direct action in protecting Maine's water quality.
Across seven regional locations, we trained a new generation of shoreline stewards. By educating at this scale, we are planting the seeds for widespread, statewide change.
Our efforts caught the attention of the state's largest newspaper; read more in the Portland Press Herald feature: "Maine makes a high-stakes bet to protect its waterways."
Expert Guidance & Collaboration
The success of this series was rooted in collaboration. We were fortunate to have Allyssa Gregory and Jared Gregory from the Maine Forest Service lead the technical demonstrations, sharing their invaluable expertise on harvesting and planting methods.
Precision Planting: Jared Gregory and Allyssa Gregory of the Maine Forest Service at Oak Point Farm.
Photo Credit: Fritz Freudenberger, Maine Forest Service.
Allyssa Gregory of the Maine Forest Service at Oak Point Farm.
Photo Credit: Fritz Freudenberger, Maine Forest Service.
A Statewide Effort
This series was made possible by an incredible network of regional partners:
- Maine Forest Service
- Boothbay Region Land Trust
- Boothbay Region Water District
- City of Belfast Parks and Recreation
- Coastal Mountains Land Trust
- Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust
- Kennebec County SWCD
- Knox-Lincoln SWCD
- Maine Tree Farm
- Sebasticook Regional Land Trust
- Waldo County SWCD
- 7 Lakes Alliance
- 30 Mile River Watershed Association
- University of Maine Climate Science Information Exchange
A special thank you to Parker Gassett with the Maine Climate Science Information Exchange (MCSIE) for providing pizza, keeping field energy high!
Series Attendance
Photos at Oak Point Farm credited to Fritz Freudenberger, Maine Forest Service.
Attended a spring session? Click here to share your workshop feedback
(Your input helps us improve our upcoming fall mini-series!)
Looking Ahead
We don't just want to teach techniques; we want to see them thriving in the ground. We will be following up at these initial sites and checking in with participants to track how these methods are being implemented successfully around the state.
Missed the spring sessions? We are excited to announce a mini-series of 3–4 workshops planned for this fall! In the meantime, you can learn the fundamental basics online:
Partner Project Spotlights
