Business Spotlight: Renoster

Maine has long been defined by its forests. Stretching across millions of acres, these woodlands not only fuel the state’s economy but also shape its culture, wildlife, and sense of place. Today, however, Maine’s forests are being called upon for another critical role: fighting climate change through carbon offsetting.

Renoster is a company that has just launched a forest carbon
program and specializes in guiding landowners and
organizations through the complex but vital process
of forest carbon engagement. COURTESY PHOTO
 

At the center of this effort is Renoster, a company that has just launched a forest carbon program called Apollo. They specialize in guiding landowners and organizations through the complex but vital process of forest carbon engagement. By pairing Maine’s natural assets with innovative carbon market tools, Renoster is helping to ensure that the state’s trees remain one of the most powerful defenses against rising greenhouse gases.

Forests naturally absorb carbon dioxide, locking it away in tree trunks, roots, soil, and long-lasting wood products. This process makes them one of the most effective “carbon sinks” on the planet. In Maine, where forests cover roughly 90 percent of the landscape, the scale of this carbon capture is immense. Without them, Maine’s contribution to global emissions would be far higher.

Renoster emphasizes that keeping forests healthy and standing is just as important as planting new ones. Through carefully managed harvests, selective cutting, and conservation strategies, existing forests can continue to grow, absorb more carbon, and provide lasting climate benefits.

Carbon offsetting in forestry works by quantifying the amount of carbon stored and ensuring it is maintained or increased over time. Landowners who commit to climate-friendly management practices can generate carbon credits. These credits are then sold to companies or institutions seeking to balance out their emissions.

For many forest owners, particularly in rural parts of Maine, this provides a new revenue stream. Instead of relying solely on timber harvests, landowners can be financially rewarded for long-term stewardship. According to Renoster, this approach not only strengthens local economies but also aligns economic health with environmental health.

One of the challenges in the carbon market has been accessibility. Large timber companies have the resources to navigate the complicated process of carbon verification, monitoring, and reporting. Smaller landowners, who collectively own a significant share of Maine’s forests, often find the cost and technical demands overwhelming. Thanks to Renoster’s use of AI, LiDAR, and satellite data, they can generate high-quality credits at scale, with zero upfront cost and a minimum land size of just 25 acres – bringing small landowners into the carbon market for the first time.

While the primary goal is to offset emissions, the benefits of forest carbon projects extend far beyond climate. Carbon-focused forest management often improves habitat for wildlife, enhances water quality, prevents soil erosion, and sustains the scenic beauty that draws visitors to Maine.

“For generations, landowners in Maine have had two main ways to bring monetary value to their land—timber harvests or development. The Apollo program introduces a third option: forest carbon. It allows landowners to extend harvest timelines, grow larger and more valuable wood, and still generate income through stewardship. Growing big trees takes time, and the returns aren’t immediate—but it’s better for the earth, better for the industry, and better for Maine’s forests. Apollo gives landowners a way to invest in long-term forest health while contributing to climate solutions. That’s a powerful shift.” —Ted Wright, Outreach Forester, Renoster

Renoster highlights these “co-benefits” as a crucial part of the story. Protecting a stand of mixed hardwoods, for example, may store significant carbon, but it also ensures that songbirds, moose, and countless other species retain the habitat they need. Likewise, healthy forests protect watersheds that communities depend on.

Maine’s forests may feel far removed from global climate negotiations, but the reality is different. Every acre that stores more carbon contributes to worldwide climate goals. With companies like Renoster helping landowners navigate the carbon market, Maine is positioned to lead by example showing how rural economies, working forests, and climate solutions can coexist.

As demand for carbon offsets grows, the opportunity for Maine is clear. Forests that once primarily supported mills and lumberyards now carry a second role in stabilizing the climate. By aligning economic incentives with ecological stewardship, Renoster is helping Maine seize this moment.

For residents, the message is simple: Protecting forests is about more than preserving beauty. It’s about ensuring that the state’s greatest natural resource plays its full role in securing a livable future. And for the nation watching Maine’s example, it’s proof that solutions to climate change can be rooted in the very ground beneath our feet.

For more information and to see if your land is eligible call 207-358-9150, email: outreach@renoster.co or to learn more visit www.renoster.co <

Business Spotlight: Long Beach Marina

Every guest at Long Beach Marina on Sebago Lake is treated like family and they handle all the details, so you can relax and focus on having fun.

Long Beach Marina is proud to offer boaters peace of mind 
when storing their boat over the winter with their brand-new
storage facility. Phase 1 shows the new storage building and
Phase 2 shows the next upgrade coming to the site, a new
service building. By using Code EAGLE2025, boaters
can obtain a 2-year Price Lock at Long Beach Marina.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Located at 81 Sebago Road in Sebago, Long Beach Marina offers all-inclusive boat packages to provide customers with hassle-free boat ownership. This includes hauling your boat out, transporting it to their service facility for a full winterization, a thorough inspection for corrective and preventive maintenance, convenient indoor and outdoor storage options, shrink wrap, boat detailing and reconditioning, and much more.

In season, a high-octane fuel dock is available at Long Beach Marina directly on Sebago Lake, with late model pontoon boat rentals, a boat launch, moorings with onsite parking, shuttle service during open hours, a dinghy during off hours, and family service like no other provided on the lake.

“Our commitment is to provide stress-free boating services, guided by a principle of treating every customer with dignity and respect,” said Sam Minervino. “Through exceptional service and seamless operations, we aim to provide an unparalleled boating experience for all of our customers.”

Long Beach Marina originally opened in 1947 and the original dock that was on the property when purchased by the Minervino Family in 1986 was just replaced this year as they continue to provide regular upgrades to the infrastructure at the site that help to ensure its use well into the future.

“In 2026, we will celebrate 40 years of family ownership at Long Beach Marina,” Minervino said. “Our father, Henry, and his son, Sam, were presented with the opportunity to purchase and run a very small marina at the time just doing gas, renting aluminum fishing boats and providing some minor boat service. The family’s background is varied having worked and owned car and boat sales, an ice cream shop across from the now SeaDogs stadium, and several other small business ventures.”

Providing year-round service and devoted to delivering exceptional customer care, Long Beach Marina remains a four-generation business and continually upgrades its services on behalf of the boating community.

“We're constantly improving and growing to provide the best experience for our customers, and we support our local communities throughout the year,” Minervino said. “These are the family values we strive to continue for our family’s legacy.”

Recent improvements to Long Beach Marina include a 24,000-square-foot Boat Rack Storage Building allowing for greater capacity for indoor boat storage and a knowledgeable service department featuring highly skilled and capable marine mechanics and technicians who treat your boat with expertise and care.

The marina maintains and upgrades its premier rental fleet of pontoons on a regular basis, providing safe rental experiences for boaters.

Complete end-of-season services are provided by Long Beach Marina and feature expert winterization services, shrink wrap, bottom washing, and storage. Start-of-season service is also offered including spring commission, quick clean and launch with no requirement for a truck or trailer.

The facility is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week during boating season and features timely preseason and postseason hours each spring and fall.

Reviews posted online are simply outstanding.

“The staff working here are absolutely delightful. They throughly explained everything we needed to know. The boat was well maintained and had all the things you would need including Bluetooth, vests, and lots of space. There wasn’t a wait, and the boat was ready when we arrived. I would highly recommend them. Again, the young people working there made the experience even better from the first phone call to the moment we left.” Diane G.

“Everyone has been extremely nice and accommodating from the rental to the return process could not ask for a better experience. The owner and staff are helpful with great prices and very honest we had a situation with a bent propeller they could have gouged the price but did not. I highly recommend this marina with 10 stars.” Susan N.

“LBM is the best marina on Sebago Lake hands down. The service and gas is unbeatable. The crew is the friendliest on the lake and always have a smile on their faces. The rental boats are top-notch being beautiful and brand new. I highly recommend to rent or fill up at Long Beach Marina! You won’t regret it!” Kayla Smith

Visit longbeachmarina.com or call 207-787-3908 to get a quote for service or storage for your particular boat or to make an appointment. Find them on Facebook under Long Beach Marina <

Business Spotlight: Free Your Mind Massage Therapy

No matter what your state of health may be, Free Your Mind Massage Therapy can heal and nurture in a safe, clean, supportive and welcoming environment through a soothing massage and therapeutic treatments to alleviate stress, muscle tension and promote overall health.

Margaret Vaillancourt, LMT, opened Free Your Mind Massage
Therapy in Windham in June. She brings over 12 years 
experience and a gift for connecting the mind and body 
to bring peace and healing. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Located in the Windham Crossing Building, Suite 207, at 744 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, Free Your Mind Massage Therapy is owned and operated by licensed massage therapist Margaret Vaillancourt, and she offers Massage, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Trigger Point Therapy to relieve chronic pain and tension and restore balance in the nervous system.

“At Free Your Mind Massage Therapy, my main goal is to allow clients to let go of the outside world while caring for their mind, body, and spirit,” Margaret said. “I have a thorough approach when working the muscles of the body and feel that much of our internal trauma can become trapped inside. I place a high priority on listening to my clients to better guide them toward an experience that nurtures their emotional and physical wellbeing.”

She says that massage therapy works wonders in relieving muscle tension that would otherwise restrict movement and increase pain. Massage therapy is not only good for relieving muscle tension, but it also helps boost flexibility.

Margaret sets high standards for herself, and the quality of her work is thorough.

“I take the time to listen to my clients and their needs in order to customize each treatment plan,” she said. “I do my research and tweak things along the way. Many clients have said I have magic hands that are warm and gentle yet strong. I have worked with clients experiencing deep grief and they have expressed such gratitude during our time together. Knowing they feel safe in my presence means the world to me! It gives me great satisfaction to provide pain relief for the body, mind and spirit. I couldn’t imagine myself doing any other job, I just love it.”

With affordable pricing that is fair and a reflection of her work, Free Your Mind Massage Therapy draws customers from throughout the Lakes Region of Maine and the Greater Portland area.

“It is important to me to establish a relationship of trust with my clients. I want to become familiar with their lives so they can feel seen and heard,” Margaret said. “My studio is clean and orderly yet serene and inviting. I maintain a relaxing tone to my space to promote relaxation and comfort. When you walk through the door, I want you to feel welcome, accepted and heard. I love coming up with treatment plans and assessing progress whether physical, mental or emotional. We will have open communication, and the client will set the pace. Above all, I want people to feel a sense of trust and know they are in a very safe environment.”

Open in Windham since June, Free Your Mind Massage Therapy is open Wednesdays and Sundays and later this month will expand to three days a week with more to come in the very near future.

Margaret says that she’s been interested in holistic wellness for many years.

“After I began receiving body work, I learned just how deeply grief and trauma can be held inside us,” she said. “It was then that I decided to become a massage therapist so that I could bring that relief to others and 12 years ago, I graduated from New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts.”

After working many years in the Greater Portland area, she felt the time was right to open her own studio.

“Teaching people to feel comfortable in their own skin, to feel in control of their own body and mind, and to provide pain relief and all-around balance in life is a passion of mine,” Margaret said. Touch is very powerful and extremely healing in many ways. “I am a compassionate professional providing a high-quality service. My client list has grown through word of mouth. I am proud of the work I do and the feedback I receive.”

To learn more about Free Your Mind Massage Therapy or to make an appointment, send a text to 207-523-0577 or visit Free Your Mind Massage Therapy on Facebook or at https://www.vagaro.com/freeyourmindmassagetrherapy or https://mvaillancourtlmt.amtamembers.com. <