Noteworthy Outcomes of the Moosehead Forest Conservation Project
A Conservation Partnership between the Forest Society of Maine, The Nature Conservancy, Appalachian Mountain Club, Plum Creek Timber Company, and the state of Maine
At 407,000 Acres, One of the Largest Conservation Projects – Ever – Nationally
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407,000 acres are permanently conserved (click to view map) at the gateway to Maine’s North Woods: lands that have been identified as high-priority for conservation by the state and regional and national conservation organizations for decades.
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Included are 363,000 acres east and west of Moosehead Lake conserved under a conservation easement held and enforced by the Forest Society of Maine; 28,000 acres near the Roach Ponds and Appalachian Trail acquired by the Appalachian Mountain Club; and 15,000 acres of high ecological importance including No. 5 Mountain and the Moose River acquired by The Nature Conservancy.
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The conserved lands, centered on Moosehead Lake - one of the largest and most renowned lakes in the Eastern U.S. - protect fish and wildlife habitats, productive forests, and lands famous for outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and canoeing.
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The newly conserved lands connect to already-conserved properties, resulting in a network of conserved lands totaling nearly 2.25 million acres – three times the size of Rhode Island - stretching from the St. John and Allagash rivers, across the Moosehead Lake region to Mount Katahdin.
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The newly protected lands are near 20 existing state parks and lands on and around Moosehead Lake, creating one of the largest assemblages of recreational lands in the nation, and providing remarkable opportunities for natural resource-based economic opportunities for the region and state.
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More than 80 lakes and ponds, including more than 200 miles of shoreline, and more than 800 miles of river and stream shore are permanently protected.
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Habitat for dozens of species of fish and wildlife listed by the state as Species of Greatest Conservation Concern (including state and federally listed endangered and threatened species) and more than 30 rare and endangered plant sites and rare and exemplary natural communities are protected.
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More than 400,000 acres recently identified by the USFWS as Critical Habitat for Canada lynx are permanently protected, and forest management practices will be done in a manner beneficial to lynx.
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Public access for traditional recreational uses, including hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, hiking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing is guaranteed on the more than 400,000 acres - the largest transfer of rights for public access ever in the nation.
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160 miles of hiking and snowmobile trails are assured.
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Through the partnership, 96% of Plum Creek’s lands in the region are conserved, while 4% have been identified for future development. The result is the largest and most conservation-conscious planned development project, nationally.
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About 12% of the conserved lands will be managed as ecological reserves due to their very high ecological values, and the remainder (more than 365,000 acres) will be managed under third party-certification and the ecological protection terms of the easement, for a sustainable harvest of forest products to the benefit of the state and local economies.
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The Nature Conservancy, Forest Society of Maine, and Appalachian Mountain Club, working with Plum Creek Timber and the state of Maine, led this initiative and undertook a $30 million joint fundraising campaign for the project. They continue working to raise the final 5% to reach the goal.
Please join us in conserving the magnificent landscape of the Moosehead Lake region by making a contribution to the Moosehead Forest Conservation project.
Lands conserved by the Moosehead Forest Conservation project (view the map)
Back to the Moosehead Forest Conservation project
