Workshop: Trail Erosion Control with Edible Plants

May 13, 10 a.m., 181 Goosepecker Ridge Road, Montville. Free and open to all.

Permaculturist Teddy Matteson, owner and operator of Dirtgoat Permaculture, will lead this hands-on workshop about intercepting erosion channels with angled trenches to slow and absorb the flow of water. We will combine this effort with trailside maintenance by incorporating downed and standing dead tree material into the trenches to further absorb water. Then we will top these wood-filled trenches with cardboard and wood chips inoculated with wine cap mushrooms, and re-top with dug rocks to reduce the flow of wood chips from the trenches. We’ll rake smooth existing erosion channels and compact and coat them with leftover wood chips to allow the soil to heal and rebuild. The end result should be a smoother, more user-friendly trail with subtle water-absorbing and slowing "speed bumps" that grow delicious edible mushrooms.

Directions: Prayer flags and a large grey van will mark the entrance. From Freedom, go 2 miles from the intersection with Freedom Pond Road. Turn left at the large grey van and go up the small road to the end. From Montville and Penny Road, turn right onto Goosepecker Ridge Road. From Penny Road, go approximately 1,000 feet, turn right at the van and go up the small road to the end.

Please call or text 207-322-4715 for more information and to let us know if you plan to attend.

Donations to Hills to Sea Trail, Midcoast Conservancy and Sebasticook Regional Land Trust are welcomed and encouraged.