Forest Society of Maine

Your land trust for Maine's North Woods.
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Archives for June 2020

American History in Coburn Gore

June 26, 2020 By Annie

Benedict Arnold and his men would have encountered streams like this one, and the dense forest behind it, while trekking through Coburn Gore.

The Forest Society of Maine has a unique opportunity to conserve land in western Maine that is not only scenic and ecologically valuable, but is also known for being an American Battlefield of the Revolution. Coburn Gore Forest, bordered on three sides by Quebec, is the site of the last leg of the journey of the Benedict Arnold Expedition where he led more than 1,000 men from the Kennebec and Dead Rivers into Quebec to attack the Province in 1775. His attack ultimately ended in defeat. Painstakingly blazing their way through dense wilderness, the route, trail, or march as it’s known, was rife with suffering and hardship. Arnold lost one-third of his men on the journey and finally had to abandon the heavy, cumbersome bateaux (large wooden boats) used to travel up river from the coast.

The remoteness and terrain of the Chain of Ponds area around Coburn Gore has helped to preserve the archaeological sites along this historic route. As recently as 2017, the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, along with the Arnold Expedition Historical Society (AEHS), identified and assessed several more significant sites along the trail route. The Arnold Trail to Quebec was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. The exact trail location is not yet known but according to Kenny Wing of the AEHS, “every year we are narrowing down the trail more and more based on archaeological information.” FSM is working with a family landowner to establish a working forest conservation easement on 8,300 acres of Coburn Gore. This easement will not only prohibit residential and commercial development, but will forever protect the lands supporting the historic Arnold Trail.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Tagged With: Coburn Gore

Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge

June 25, 2020 By Annie

This story first appeared in the 2020 spring edition of Forest View, FSM’s biannual newsletter. 

In the summer green herons can be found in parts of Maine and New Hampshire. Photo by Pam Wells.

The Forest Society of Maine is working with a forestland owner to conserve 21,300 acres in the Grafton region. The Grafton Forest project is supported by many partners in the region:  local land trusts, ATV and snowmobile clubs, a local search and rescue group, the Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Grafton Notch State Park, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The latter partnership is especially exciting as the Grafton Forest project area contains lands of importance to the NWR—in particular the area encompassing the headwaters of the Swift Cambridge River which eventually flows north into Lake Umbagog.

Umbagog NWR was established in 1992 with the primary purpose of protecting wetlands, wetland-associated wildlife, and migratory birds. Umbagog Lake has an extensive complex of wetlands like Harper’s Meadow, a designated Floating Island National Natural Landmark, that are highly utilized by waterfowl. The refuge and the area around it support more than 166 wildlife species of elevated conservation concern in national, regional, and state plans.

The refuge is regionally important for a diversity of species, including Canada lynx. White-tailed deer rely on the deer wintering areas. The complex wetlands are home to common loons and wood turtles. Loons are listed as threatened in New Hampshire and wood turtles are a species of special concern in Maine. Additionally, a native brook trout population relies on the shallow Umbagog Lake and Magalloway River as crucial winter habitat.

Umbagog NWR is primarily known for its exceptional wetland values and the upland forests around it play a significant role in maintaining good habitat quality. Being able to conserve land near existing conservation lands, like the NWR, is another reason FSM found this conservation opportunity so worthwhile. Through the Grafton Forest project, FSM will be able to ensure that the future of the surrounding forest and headwaters of the Swift Cambridge River will be conserved in perpetuity under a working forest conservation easement.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Tagged With: Grafton

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May 21, 2025

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality … [Read More...]

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Forest Society of Maine

209 State St, 2nd Floor
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 945-9200
info@fsmaine.org

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