Why Conserve Maine’s Forestlands?

Forests cover 90% of Maine and have for centuries influenced various aspects of the Maine way of life. The Maine woods provide recreational and cultural opportunities, as well as economic and ecological benefits. However in recent years, these values have become threatened by the sale, subdivision, development, and fragmentation of these lands.

Recreational benefits and future risk

Maine’s forestland owners have traditionally allowed public access to their land for outdoor recreational enjoyment. Thousands of recreaters flock to Maine’s forestlands each year to experience the extraordinary outdoor activities offered by the land, including: cross-country skiing, hunting, hiking, fishing, bird watching, canoeing, and snowshoeing. Global economic pressures are forcing change in Maine’s forestlands—landowners are feeling increased pressure from lucrative development deals that would forever alter the public’s traditional access to the land.

Economic benefits and future risk

Maine’s forestlands have sustained a flow of valuable, renewable forest products for more than 150 years. Maine’s 17 million acres of woodlands support the state’s largest industry, forest products, and significantly contribute to the second largest, tourism. Every 1,000 acres of forestland in Maine supports 1.4 manufacturing and 1.5 forest-based tourism jobs. Forest products account for about one-third of Maine’s manufactured products, contributing about $4.3 billion to the state’s tax base. After 150 years of remarkably stable ownership and harvesting of these lands, 25% of forestland has been sold in the last six years—threatening not only the wood products industry, but also tourist-based businesses.

Ecological benefits and future risk

Maine’s North Woods provide an unbroken expanse of forestland that supports perhaps the largest populations of moose, black bear, loons, lynx, pine marten, and fisher to be found in the United States. This diversity and abundance of wildlife is found nowhere else in the eastern United States. Maine’s forests contain thousands of wilderness lakes and ponds, some of the East’s most beautiful and remote rivers, and an almost uncountable number of mountains and backcountry areas. The headwaters of the majority of Maine’s rivers are found in the North Woods. Encroaching development has already fragmented much of southern Maine, and with the public’s increase demand for second homes, the North Woods cannot be far behind (the North Woods are within a day’s drive of 75 million people residing the Boston to Washingon megalopolis). This division of forestland destroys the habitat of several species that depend on large tracts of contiguous forests.

Cultural benefits and future risk

From the earliest times of Native Americans, through the European explorers and settlers who sought after Maine’s enormous pines (the prized “King’s Pines” for the masts of the King’s navy), and continuing today, Maine’s woods provide livelihoods, recreational and wilderness-escape opportunities, as well as environment and wildlife benefits. Henry David Thoreau, famed author of The Maine Woods, was greatly influenced by Maine’s North Woods and recognized their intrinsic value. In fact, he called for conservation before it ever became part of the American tradition. Due to more and more so-called kingdom lot sales and “no trespassing” signs going up, archaeological sites will no longer be accessible and the traditional folklore of the land may be lost forever.