One of the main factors driving prices in pharmaceuticals, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics, is the cost of production and materials. Researchers at the 91爆料 Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) have discovered a sustainable method to produce the key ingredient in a broad range of pharmaceuticals, which could help address high prescription drug costs in the U.S.听

Among some of the most expensive medications are those that require a chiral center  鈥� a property in which a molecule cannot be superimposed with its mirror image, like right and left hands. Chirality can direct a drug鈥檚 biological effects including efficacy, side effects and metabolization. The price of chiral drugs is greatly contributed to the building blocks used during synthesis, which are costly to produce due to complex reaction and purification pathways. 

In a new study recently published in , FBRI researchers explore a new, cost-reducing pathway to produce one of these crucial building blocks, (S)-3-hydroxy-纬-butyrolactone (HBL), from glucose at high concentrations and yields. 

According to researchers, HBL is a chiral species used for the synthesis of an array of crucial drugs such as statins, antibiotics and HIV inhibitors. Because glucose can be derived from any lignocellulosic feedstock 鈥� such as wood chips, sawdust, tree branches or other woody biomass 鈥� this process opens a new door for the sustainable production of HBL. This approach could also potentially be used to produce other types of important consumer products. 

鈥淚f we use other kinds of wood sugars, like xylose that is an unneeded byproduct from making pulp and paper, we expect that we could produce new chemicals and building blocks, like green cleaning products or new renewable, recyclable plastics,鈥� said Thomas Schwartz, associate director of FBRI and associate professor in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing who was a lead author for the paper.

In addition to its use as a chiral species, HBL has been identified as a highly valuable precursor to a variety of chemicals and plastics by the . Previous attempts to produce HBL sustainably achieved only limited success due to safety issues, ineffectiveness or a lack of cost-efficiency.

鈥淭he competing processes either lead to low yields, use hazardous starting materials or are just generally costly because of the chosen production scheme and low output,鈥� said Schwartz. 鈥淭he commercial process is expensive because you have to add the chiral center to the molecule, which doesn’t occur naturally with most petrochemicals.鈥�

Not only does this new approach result in significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but the production costs are also reduced by more than 60% compared to current methods that use petroleum-derived feedstocks. The process can also yield other commercially important chemicals, such as glycolic acid (GA), which presents additional economic opportunities. 

The research included work from students in the led by Schwartz and was conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Products Laboratory and the University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison. Funding for the project was provided by the USDA, U.S. Forest Service and the National Science Foundation.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

鈥淐onstellation of Living Memorials’ Guide to Intentional Native Landscaping in Maine,鈥� available through , offers strategies on landscaping with native plants 鈥� identifying what plants reside in which different areas of the state and how to integrate them 鈥� and how to identify and remove invasive species that threaten the green spaces within cemeteries. 

鈥淲e are interested in removing invasive plants and promoting native plant species across all our public green spaces, including Riverside Cemetery in Orono. We are glad to see this guide released as it will help us and other towns managing public cemeteries,鈥� said Megan Hess (鈥�19), environmental services manager for the town of Orono who previously earned a master鈥檚 degree in ecology and environmental sciences from 91爆料. Hess is also available for interviews upon request.听

Jessica Leahy, 91爆料 professor of human dimensions, and former AmeriCorps member Louisa Kaplan created the guide in collaboration with Constellation of Living Memorials, a Dallas-based nonprofit dedicated to cemetery preservation; Southern Aroostook Soil & Water Conservation District and Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District, and in consultation with officials from Orono, Bangor and Portland.听

鈥淲hile the removal of invasives and incorporating native plantings in public cemeteries are often municipality-led initiatives, this guide also benefits managers of other cemeteries who wish to maintain these memorials and do similar ecologically enhancing work,鈥� Leahy said. 鈥淲e hope to begin to normalize the concept of cemeteries as public green spaces as well as showcase the role of these public spaces as demonstration sites in ecological restoration and maintenance.鈥�

A group of 91爆料 faculty and staff teamed up with industry stakeholders to create the , which lays the groundwork for growing and diversifying the state鈥檚 great outdoors over the next decade. Collaborative partners, including the university, the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, Maine Outdoor Brands and others, launched the roadmap in January.  

In this episode of 鈥淭he Maine Question鈥� podcast, a few experts who worked together to develop the roadmap discuss the various outdoor-related industries, their potential for growth and the potential challenges they face. 

Listen to the podcast on , , , , or 鈥淭he Maine Question鈥� website. 

What topics would you like to learn more about? What questions do you have for 91爆料 experts? Email them to mainequestion@maine.edu.

鈥淎t the 91爆料, we are proud to drive innovation in outdoor recreation through cutting-edge research, product development and entrepreneurship,鈥� said Jake Ward, vice president for strategic partnerships, innovation and engagement. 鈥淥ur talented students, interns and faculty work alongside industry leaders to create solutions that honor Maine鈥檚 rich natural heritage while advancing its emerging resource-based economy. This roadmap highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and sustainable practices, ensuring Maine remains a leader in outdoor recreation and economic opportunity for generations to come.鈥�

Outdoor recreation made up 3.7%  of Maine’s economy in 2023, the sixth largest share in the nation, and accounted for 30,000 jobs. The roadmap emphasizes workforce preparedness, support for outdoor recreation businesses, enhanced recreation and economic development. Workforce and talent development and entrepreneurial and innovation support for outdoor recreation companies are key strategies outlined in the roadmap, and areas where 91爆料 offers meaningful contributions. 

鈥淭his roadmap helps us connect students and faculty with real-world challenges 鈥� encouraging innovations in recreation management, outdoor recreation related product development and entrepreneurship that will keep Maine at the forefront of outdoor excellence,鈥� said Jason Entsminger, 91爆料 assistant professor of entrepreneurship and innovation, state Extension specialist for small business and a member of the core team that developed the roadmap. 

At Wednesday鈥檚 roadmap launch event at New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket, MaineMBA student Mikayla Reynolds of Waterville was a featured speaker. An alumna of the Maine Business School鈥檚 Bachelors program and one 91爆料鈥檚 2023 Salutatorians, Reynolds interned with Maine Outdoor Brands in the summer of 2024 and contributed to the development of the roadmap as part of her internship and later as part of the Maine Business School鈥檚 special topics course evaluating Maine鈥檚 outdoor recreation entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“As a Mainer, I’ve always valued my time outdoors and as a place of peace, well-being, and rest,鈥� said Reynolds, also an alumna of 91爆料’s Honors College. 鈥淢y work over the past year in support of the Roadmap effort has made me realize that outdoor recreation is also a rewarding career path. I see so many opportunities for young people in Maine’s outdoor recreation economy, and I’m thrilled at the prospects laid out in this roadmap to bolster career options and business potential, while also enhancing physical and mental health in our communities.”

Ward also served on the roadmap鈥檚 core team, along with corporate engagement events and programs manager Taylor Boucher. Molly Bogner, a 91爆料 master鈥檚 student in Forest Resources, and Jason Harkins, executive dean of the Maine Business School and dean of the Graduate School of Business, were members of the roadmap steering committee. 91爆料 School of Economics faculty members Kathleen Bell and Todd Gabe assisted with economic analysis.  

This roadmap marks the first time Maine has defined outdoor recreation as a major economic driver in such a broad and strategic way. Past statewide roadmaps, such as the Forest Opportunity Roadmap (FOR/ME), have been catalysts for focusing stakeholder efforts and expanding collaboration, opportunity and investment for their respective sectors, serving as a successful model for this effort.

Funding for the roadmap initiative was provided by the American Rescue Plan Act Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation grant program administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This funding is specifically aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic on Maine鈥檚 travel, tourism and outdoor recreation industries. As a result, the roadmap is dedicated to enhancing the synergy between Maine鈥檚 unique natural resources and the state鈥檚 long-term economic strength.

A news release is .

Contact: Ashley Forbes, ashley.forbes@maine.edu 

The 91爆料 released an on the economic contribution of snowmobiling in Maine, revealing a significant decline in impact for the 2023-24 season. According to the study, snowmobiling generated an estimated $582 million in economic contributions during the 2023-24 season, a sharp drop of $128 million compared to the previous year.

Snowmobiling is a cornerstone of Maine鈥檚 winter tourism industry, drawing enthusiasts from across the region. The sport supports local businesses, from lodging and restaurants to equipment retailers and repair shops, particularly in rural communities.

鈥淲ith the economic contributions of snowmobiling nearing $710 million in strong seasons, this activity is vital to Maine鈥檚 economy and identity,鈥� said Jessica Leahy, lead author of the report and professor of human dimensions of natural resources at 91爆料鈥檚 School of Forest Resources. 鈥淭he recent decline highlights the need for adaptation, particularly as climate change continues to affect snow conditions. Snowmobilers may need to change when and where they go, and businesses will also want to consider how they can change too.鈥�

The findings underscore the financial toll of poor snow conditions and declining snowmobile registrations. The researchers caution that the 2023-24 estimates may underestimate the true economic decline. Poor snow conditions likely reduced the number and duration of snowmobile trips, impacting spending on lodging, fuel, dining and equipment.

鈥淜eeping current reports like the economic impact studies helps our State of Maine Snowmobile Program with short-term planning. However, we like to look at longer trends over ten years and can better plan that way,鈥� said Joe Higgins, snowmobile program coordinator for Maine鈥檚 Bureau of Parks and Lands.

The study builds on a that examined the 2018-19 season, when snowmobiling contributed an estimated $607 million to Maine鈥檚 economy 鈥� equivalent to $746 million in 2024 dollars. Updated results for the 2022-23 season indicate an economic contribution of $710 million in 2024 dollars, buoyed by favorable conditions and robust participation. However, the 2023-24 season saw a marked decline in snowmobile registrations and trip activity, leading to a significant decrease in economic impact.

鈥淟ike any outdoor recreational activity, we鈥檙e at the mercy of the weather. We can have very good years with lots of snow and other years, like last year with low snow which as noted impacts jobs, restaurants, hotels and other services,鈥� Higgins said. 鈥淭he Bureau of Parks and Lands fully understands the economic impact and importance of outdoor recreation to communities and will continue planning around climate changes.鈥�  

The updated analysis used spending profiles from the 2018-19 season, adjusted for inflation, to estimate the economic contribution of snowmobiling for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Spending data accounts for both resident and non-resident snowmobilers, incorporating costs such as trip-related expenses and equipment purchases. Snowmobile registration numbers were used as a baseline for calculating total contributions, with adjustments made for inflation to reflect current economic conditions.

Mindy Crandall, co-author and associate professor at Oregon State University, noted the importance of consistent updates to reflect evolving trends. 

鈥淭his method allows us to track economic contributions year over year, but significant changes in behavior or conditions 鈥� such as those seen during the pandemic or due to climate change 鈥� could require comprehensive re-evaluations,鈥� she said.

The report suggests continuing this methodology through the 2027-28 season, after which a comprehensive survey of snowmobilers will be necessary to account for shifts in spending behavior and other evolving factors.

This report is an update to the comprehensive 2020 study conducted by 91爆料, which analyzed the spending patterns and economic contributions of snowmobilers during the 2018-19 season. The report was funded by the Maine Snowmobile Association, with support from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry.

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu

As a primary Tech Hub partner, 91爆料 will provide world-class innovation expertise, cutting-edge bioproducts equipment and infrastructure, and intellectual property to build talent pipelines and help private sector companies rapidly accelerate product commercialization and operational growth.

鈥淢aine鈥檚 Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub represents the future of sustainable innovation, building on two centuries of forest industry leadership and 160 years of 91爆料 excellence in research, development and education along with world-class facilities,鈥� said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of the 91爆料 and its regional campus, the 91爆料 at Machias, as well as vice chancellor for research and innovation for the 91爆料 System. 鈥淭his investment will transform cutting-edge ideas into real-world solutions, powered by the expertise of our talented faculty, staff and students. Together with our partners, we are charting a bold course to position Maine as a global leader in sustainable materials, economic growth and innovation.鈥�

91爆料鈥檚 Forest Bioproducts Technology Maturation Program, funded at $10.5 million in the award announced this week, will support startups and established companies in the forest bioproducts space. 

鈥淭he technology maturation program will provide companies with the talent, expertise and access to equipment to demonstrate new technologies and manufacturing processes at commercial scale, unlocking the potential for forest biomaterials to reach new high-value markets such as plastics and fuels replacements, textiles, building materials, biomedical applications and packaging, and create new economic development opportunities in Maine and beyond,鈥� said Renee Kelly, associate vice president for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources, and Engagement. 

From tailored work plans that include specific technical and business development milestones to access to a robust network of companies and research institutions and facilities, companies who participate in the Technology Maturation Program will receive wraparound support from 91爆料. In addition to facilitating technology development for individual companies, 91爆料 will work with companies with similar technical barriers to help reach new markets. The opportunity to work directly with experts at 91爆料 facilities, including the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC), Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) and Process Development Center (PDC), will allow companies to test and validate new bioproducts and processes, focusing on scaling production and meeting safety standards. Finally, students, including undergraduate-, graduate- and doctoral-level innovation fellows, will be embedded with participating companies to support their growth.

鈥�91爆料鈥檚 near-commercial scale Process Development Center has a decades-long history of advancing biobased technologies,鈥� said Colleen Walker, director of the PDC. 鈥淥ur team is very excited to expand our work with emerging companies and offer access to our expertise and facilities to propel the development of forest-based bioproducts through the Forest Bioproducts Technology Maturation Program.鈥�

“Tanbark is excited to be part of the Tech Hub network,鈥� said Melissa LaCasse, co-founder and CEO of Tanbark Molded Fiber Products. 鈥淲e see many opportunities to accelerate new forest biomaterials applications in collaboration with 91爆料, and to work with talented students who are the future of our skilled workforce.鈥�

Maine is one of just six Tech Hubs selected to receive an award under new funding for the Tech Hubs Program included in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

More about Maine’s Tech Hub can be found at .

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu听

Blacklegged ticks are expanding their range and rising in numbers, infecting people with pathogens that cause conditions like Lyme disease and babesiosis. Climate change is frequently blamed, but researchers have noticed another man-made problem may be helping the pests spread. Invasive forest plants like buckthorn, honeysuckles and Japanese barberry create dense, damp thickets where surveys show ticks love to lurk. 

With a new opportunity to turn the tide on ticks in sight, three 91爆料 researchers secured a from the National Science Foundation to test if controlling unwelcome forest plants also reduces densities of ticks, and how landowners can best apply and share that information. Graduate and undergraduate student researchers will be recruited to support the project. 

Landowners 鈥� whether suburban homeowners or small woodland owners 鈥� make choices about how to manage invasive plants and ticks, but typically address them separately. Forest ecosystems are complex and continually change, making the best strategies for managing these challenges feel elusive. To help landowners, the project will develop actionable recommendations on forest management as well as best practices for sharing that information, and establish a network for spreading these ideas. 

鈥淭his research uses the connection between human health and our environment to combat multiple issues simultaneously,鈥� said Allison Gardner, an associate professor and medical entomologist at 91爆料 who is one of the project鈥檚 principal investigators. 鈥淏y developing actionable strategies to help landowners target invasive plants, we can also reduce habitats where ticks thrive and tick-borne diseases spread 鈥� a win-win for people and the environment.鈥�

The project unites Gardner鈥檚 entomology expertise with social, behavioral and environmental scientists, enabling them to seamlessly translate field research into change in the forest. Other principal investigators include 91爆料 professors Jessica Leahy, a human dimensions of natural resources scholar and forester, and Timothy Waring, an evolutionary and behavioral scientist; as well as William Landesman, an associate professor who studies microbiology and tick-borne pathogens, and Kristen Ross, a plant and restoration ecologist and assistant professor; both of Vermont State University.

鈥淥ne problem is that it鈥檚 hard, even for scientists, to figure out the best approach. So there鈥檚 no guarantee that landowners are going to learn effective solutions either. We will study how landowners learn forest management practices from one another with an eye to finding and spreading these win-win approaches,鈥� said Waring.

The five-year study will survey tick densities and test management techniques in Maine and Vermont. Researchers will also explore how landowners manage their woods for both ticks and invasive plants, and how they learn 鈥� or fail to learn 鈥� best practices from each other. They will then take what they learned and teach landowners grappling with the unwelcome duo best practices for simultaneously managing invasive plants and ticks. The project will foster further dissemination of this research by establishing a peer-to-peer outreach program called Forest Landowner Education & Research Network (Forest LEARN). Forest LEARN will equip landowners as ambassadors for science so they can share best practices for invasive plant and tick management with their neighbors and communities.

Private and public land managers who wish to contribute to the tick-forest research or join the LEARN network should email jessica.leahy@maine.edu. The Forest LEARN program will provide tailored training and resources to empower landowners to manage their woodlands more effectively and share strategies with their peers.

鈥淭his is more than a research project 鈥� it鈥檚 a community effort to create healthier landscapes and protect Maine鈥檚 residents,鈥� said Leahy. 鈥淏y collaborating with landowners and developing peer networks, we鈥檙e building the capacity for Maine to thrive in the face of emerging challenges.鈥�

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu

Through a program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), 91爆料 graduate students have had the opportunity to cultivate the interdisciplinary skills required for conservation. 91爆料鈥檚 NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program in Conservation Science and Practice has reached the end of its five-year term, but it has sent 91爆料 graduates off with a more holistic approach to conservation and started a legacy of similar programs at 91爆料. 

What is NRT? 

in 2014 to train graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs with interdisciplinary skills to better prepare them for the changing nature of research and the workforce. At the crux of the program is a traineeship, where students partner with a local organization, company or researcher to apply the skills they learn. 

Sandra De Urioste-Stone, 91爆料 associate vice president for research, professor of nature-based tourism at the School of Forest Resources and a faculty fellow at the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, saw the NRT program as a great opportunity for 91爆料, especially in conservation. Maine is a living laboratory for conservation science with plenty of opportunities for traineeships, and she had already begun building networks in the field. De Urioste-Stone collaborated with the Mitchell Center to build the interdisciplinary element of the NRT.

鈥淭he Mitchell Center was one of those spaces that let me connect with other people in drafting proposals and working collaboratively on research projects,鈥� said De Urioste-Stone. 鈥淟ater on, this led to connections that allowed for a larger grant like NRT.

The alumni

Twenty-eight graduate students went through the program as 鈥渢rainees鈥� over its five years. Alumni of the NRT reflect fondly on how the program set them up for success.

Lydia Horne was in the first NRT cohort in 2019 during her Ph.D in ecology and environmental sciences program. Through her Ph.D., which was partially supported by the Mitchell Center, Horne focused on community resilience as Maine鈥檚 tourism industry adjusts to the impacts of climate change. De Urioste-Stone was her advisor, and told Horne she would be a good fit for the program. 

Horne said that the highlights of the NRT program were the faculty and her peers, with whom she has maintained close personal and professional relationships even after the program ended.

鈥淚t all comes down to the cross pollination of ideas from this big network of people that are all trying to achieve something,鈥� Horne said. 鈥淚t has made me really adaptable to working on different teams and different projects.鈥�

Horne said that the NRT informed the interdisciplinary research she continued to pursue after graduation, from post doctoral research in the science of learning and assessment in STEM education to designing curriculum in tourism and hospitality.

Now, Horne is back at 91爆料 pursuing postdoctoral research at the School of Forest Resources that looks at rural community resilience. 

Annie Stupik joined the NRT in fall 2021. She was pursuing a graduate degree in the wildlife ecology program and studying the relationship between winter ticks and moose, but she wanted to explore the bigger picture of conservation work. Before returning to graduate school, she participated in the Peace Corps, and saw first hand the multifaceted nature of big problems. 

鈥淚 care about more than just the wildlife science,鈥� Stupik said. 鈥淚 think it gets us outside of our comfort zone a little bit to have us meet people who we wouldn鈥檛 normally interact with within our specific program area or major.鈥�

Stupik now works for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as the state invertebrate biologist. She said that the NRT encouraged her to apply for jobs that were more focused on conservation projects and programming rather than research, and allowed her to build her resume enough to be competitive for these jobs.

鈥淭he NRT program helped me realize that the 鈥榮oft skills鈥� are just as important as the 鈥榟ard skills,鈥欌�� Stupik said. 鈥淚’m not always the best biologist or scientist, but being able to work with people is arguably one of the most important things you can have if you really want to make a difference in the world of conservation.鈥�

Allison Foster, who also participated in the Mitchell Center鈥檚 Sustainability Graduate Fellows program, said she especially enjoyed the cohort of students that she was with in the program in fall 2022 and spring 2023. Foster鈥檚 cohort wrote a Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund grant with the Penobscot Nation as part of one of their classes, and it recently received funding. 

Foster also said that the internship that she had during the NRT at the Biodiversity Research Institute in Portland became her post-graduate job as a science communications coordinator. She said that the experience interacting with researchers across disciplines in the NRT has helped in her new position, allowing her to 鈥渇loat within the different departments鈥� so she can communicate science from toxicology and bird ecology to offshore wind development.

Foster isn鈥檛 the only one who obtained a job out of the NRT program. Nelson said that not only did Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) host two graduate interns who helped to spark new research on habitat connectivity and strengthen regional citizen science, they also hired AMC’s first-ever science communicator: NRT alumnus Gabriella Gurney.听

鈥淗er skills bridging science, practitioner and community engagement and communications have made her an invaluable addition to our team,鈥� Nelson said.

The 91爆料 NRT structure

The NRT Program in Conservation Science and Practice 鈥� which, when it was awarded in 2019, was the first NRT in the state 鈥� was helmed by 10 faculty members from different disciplines, over half of whom were also Mitchell Center faculty fellows. The faculty developed five new, specialized courses in topics like science communication, interdisciplinary research and organizational behavior that NRT participants would take in addition to courses for their degree. The NRT also recruited nine faculty to teach classes that counted towards other program requirements. 

Laura Rickard, associate professor and graduate coordinator in the Department of Communication and Journalism and faculty fellow at the Mitchell Center, was part of the leadership team that developed the NRT and taught classes about communication theory and risk communication that counted towards the students鈥� requirements.

鈥淭his interdisciplinarity is critical for NRT trainees, who often come from disciplines other than communication (or even the social sciences more generally), and will need to grasp (or at least appreciate) multiple perspectives to solve the type of real-world conservation problems we face,鈥� Rickard said. 

The program aimed for students to develop expertise in at least two scientific areas: their primary area of study, like biology or ecology, and a secondary discipline, usually a social science. 

Aaron Weiskittel, professor of forest biometrics and modeling, director of the Center for Research on Sustainable Forests and faculty fellow at the Mitchell Center, was also on the leadership team for the NRT. He said he immediately saw the benefit of the program鈥檚 structures for 91爆料 centers and departments like the School of Forest Resources. 

鈥淏y training the next generation of conservation leaders to integrate biophysical and socioeconomic sciences, the NRT program contributes directly to our goal of enhancing understanding of Maine’s forest resources in an increasingly complex world. This collaborative, solutions-driven approach is essential for addressing current and future issues in natural resources management and sustainability,鈥� Weiskittel said. 

The NRT had a robust network of 14 partners with state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and Tribal Nations that they could tap into for student internships as well. The students submitted a plan for their internship to the partners and had it approved, almost like a contract. They wrote regular reflections on the internship, and also presented a poster about it at the program鈥檚 annual retreat. 

Sarah Nelson, a former 91爆料 associate professor, started as one of the co-principal investigators on the NRT and eventually went on to host internships at the AMC.听

鈥淭he AMC’s mission to foster the protection, enjoyment and understanding of the outdoors aligns with the NRT’s focus on science and skill sets that underpin action, policy and communication in the conservation space,鈥� said Nelson, now director of research for the club.

Facing challenges in the NRT

After a year of planning, the NRT welcomed its first cohort of graduate students in 2019. In 2020, however, they had to make significant changes in order to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

鈥淲e had students doing reflective journaling throughout the program. That was helpful to get quick feedback that allowed us to be more responsive in a very challenging time,鈥� De Urioste-Stone said. 鈥淲e learned a lot from that first year.鈥� 

The NRT team continued to learn throughout the course of the program. De Urioste-Stone said that after a couple years, they started creating a list of needs and potential opportunities with partners to better match graduate students with internships based on the skills they had, and what they wanted to learn.

Emily Uhrig served as the program coordinator for three years starting in 2021. In addition to developing and facilitating a workshop on communicating research to non-technical audiences, which she ran with assistant research professor Jessica Jansujwicz in conjunction with the Mitchell Center’s Future Sustainability Leaders program, she handled program logistics, including organizing events, managing communications and coordinating internships. 

鈥淭he NRT was always a student-centered program, but I think it became even more so over the years as we listened to trainee feedback and made adjustments,鈥� Uhrig said. 鈥淲e asked trainees what kinds of professional development they were interested in and planned activities accordingly.鈥�

The legacy and future of NRT

De Urioste-Stone said that the feedback they received from the trainees and faculty showed that the NRT had a significant impact on their lives. It elevated applied learning experiences, allowed students and faculty to collaborate more closely, expanded research across disciplines and strengthened relationships with partners in the field. De Urioste-Stone also said that the traineeship contributed to 109 publications over the course of its life.

91爆料 has also used lessons learned from this graduate student training program to strengthen other cohort building and professional development initiatives. For example, NSF research projects such as Maine-FOREST, or Forest-based Opportunities for Resilient Economy, Sustainability and Technology, have benefited from this approach. NSF funded the traineeship through its Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems Research Infrastructure Improvement Program (E-CORE RII).

The Enhancing Conservation Science NRT may be in its final stages, but there are still three other NRTs at 91爆料. These include (which De Urioste-Stone is also involved with), Systems Approaches to Understanding and Navigating the New Arctic (SAUNNA), and the latest, 3-D Ecosystem Science. A number of Mitchell Center faculty play important leadership roles in all of the 91爆料 NRTs. 

鈥淚t is exciting and gratifying to see the ways these outstanding faculty are continuing to grow 91爆料鈥檚 national and global leadership in solutions-driven, interdisciplinary research partnerships,鈥� said David Hart, director of the Mitchell Center. 

Contact: Ruth Hallsworth, hallsworth@maine.edu 

Hosted by the 91爆料鈥檚 Office of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources, and Engagement (SPIRE), the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the event will feature presentations, keynote speakers, panel discussions and entrepreneurial pitches from students and businesses commercializing sustainable forest bio-derived products. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices shaping the forest biomaterials industry.听

Manufacturing RENEW3D, a celebration of Maine鈥檚 recent U.S. EDA designation as a Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub, and the Process Development Center鈥檚 6th Annual Cellulose Nanomaterials Forum will comprise the three-day event.听

鈥淢aine Forest Biomaterials Week showcases the incredible advancements being made using advanced manufacturing and forest biomaterials,鈥� said Susan MacKay, chief scientist at the ASCC. 鈥淭his event highlights business and research innovation focused on new economic opportunities leveraging Maine鈥檚 forest resources and is closely aligned with the university鈥檚 commitment to sustainability and innovation.鈥�

In October 2023, Maine secured the prestigious designation of a Tech Hub in Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Led by the Maine Technology Institute in partnership with the Governor鈥檚 Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Maine鈥檚 Tech Hub will accelerate research and development of natural polymers and other wood fiber bioproducts that can sequester carbon and replace plastics and toxic chemicals to grow investment and jobs in this important sector of Maine’s economy.

Maine Forest Biomaterials Week aims to foster collaboration and innovation, driving the growth of the biomaterials sector and supporting Maine鈥檚 economy. The event is open to the public, and participants from all backgrounds are encouraged to attend.

For more information and to register, please visit the .

Contact: Taylor Boucher, taylor.boucher@maine.edu