Press Release from Branford Land Trust

Join the Branford Land Trust (BLT) for a Maple Tapping Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at DeLeo Field on 154 Laurel Hill Road in Branford. Joe Orefice, the director of Forest and Agricultural Operations at Yale Forests; and Shaylyn Austin, research and extension fellow; will lead participants through the fascinating process of maple tapping at the workshop.

This hands-on workshop will address the three essential questions around maple tapping: 1. When do I tap?, 2. What trees do I tap?, and 3. How do I tap?

Registration is required and limited to 30 people. To register, visit tinyurl.com/mapletapping.

Whether you’re an experienced syrup producer, you’re contemplating tapping the maple in your backyard, or you’re simply intrigued by the journey from tree to syrup, this workshop caters to all levels of interest. The engaging presentation style will ensure an informative and enriching experience for anyone curious about the origins of maple syrup. Don’t miss this opportunity to sweeten your knowledge in the realm of maple tapping.

This is a family friendly event, but is designed for people interested in maple producing and not specifically for kids. Please meet at 156 Laurel Hill Road (0.9 miles off of Brushy Plains Road) at the DeLeo parking area (look for the kiosk). There is limited parking, so please carpool. It is not a rigorous walk, but participants should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain. Wear appropriate clothing for three hours outside. You are welcome to bring a thermos of hot beverage for yourself. No dogs for this event, please.

The workshop agenda will be as follows: 9 a.m.: registration and hellos; 9:15 a.m.: introduction from the BLT; 9:30 a.m.: when to tap maple trees for optimal sap yield; 10 a.m.: what maple trees to tap, including winter species identification; 11 a.m.: best practices for sustainable maple tapping; 11:45 a.m.: evaluations and wrap-up; noon: adjourning of the workshop.

Orefice is a lecturer and the director of Forest & Agricultural Operations at the Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment. Before joining the Yale faculty in 2018, Orefice served as Cornell University’s Northern New York Maple Specialist and director of the Uihlein Maple Research Forest, where he managed a 5,500-tap production. In his current position, he oversees the management of over 10,000 acres of wooded land in Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Additionally, Orefice operates a demonstration sugar bush at Yale-Myers Forest in northeastern Connecticut. In his public outreach work, he engages with communities across Connecticut, sharing his extensive knowledge and passion for maple syrup production. As a leader in his field, Orefice brings a unique blend of scientific rigor and practical experience to his work.

Austin is a recent graduate of the master of forestry program at the Yale School of the Environment. She currently serves as a research and extension fellow with Yale Forests, primarily focused on maple syrup production and education. Austin brings a wealth of knowledge in ecological research and sustainable forest management to her role. Her passion lies in fostering connections within communities to promote the stewardship of thriving and resilient forests. She will lead the tree-identification portion of the workshop.

This workshop is supported with funds from the USDA Acer Access and Development Program.