Forest Society of Maine

Your land trust for Maine's North Woods
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Gulf Hagas – Pleasant River Project

April 19, 2017 By Annie

Silver Lake

Through the efforts of FSM and many project partners approximately 18,000 acres are being permanently protected.

One part of the project has conserved more than 4,300 acres of forest surrounding Silver Lake and 12 miles of the Pleasant River.

The other part is conserving the remainder, including high elevation lands abutting Gulf Hagas and 11 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

 

The project is focused on the West Branch of the Pleasant River and Gulf Hagas and Whitecap Mountains. The project provides permanent protection for 17 miles of the West Branch of the Pleasant River, a significant wetland complex, miles of undeveloped stream and lake shore, high elevation lands including four mountain peaks bordering 11 miles of the Appalachian Trail corridor, and thousands of acres of productive forestland.

The lands provide important habitat for multiple species of birds and wildlife and significant fisheries habitat for Eastern brook trout and Atlantic salmon restoration. The project lands also provide camping, hiking, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, and other similar recreational uses for more than 10,000 people every year. The Forest Society of Maine (FSM) worked with two landowners, the state of Maine, the Appalachian Mountain Club, other conservation groups, and local communities to conserve these lands.

Paddling the W. Branch of the Pleasant River, 2014The lands in the Gulf Hagas – Pleasant River project contain a unique concentration of North Woods and Appalachian Trail related recreational infrastructure and opportunities. Their permanent conservation is integral to ensuring the future of this nationally and regionally significant recreational area, which includes: the Appalachian Trail, Gulf Hagas, the Hermitage, the 100-Mile Wilderness, the Katahdin Iron Works/Jo Mary Forest, and Moosehead Lake. The project lands contain the trailhead and parking area for Gulf Hagas—a highly popular recreational destination—and they provide scenic views for people from all over the U.S. and the world who hike this portion of the Appalachian Trail each year.

Gulf Hagas - Pleasant River Project MapClick map to enlarge

 

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: forestland conservation, Gulf Hagas, Pleasant River, Silver Lake

4 Reasons NESAF is New England’s Best Forestry Conference

March 21, 2017 By Annie

Two weeks ago Maine hosted the annual winter meeting of the New England Society of American Foresters (NESAF). Nearly 450 foresters, wildlife biologists, entomologists, and students traveled to Bangor from across New England to share ideas and talk shop—all in the shadow of Maine’s most famous (albeit fictional) forester, Paul Bunyan.

Group photo at NESAF 2017
Some of those at the conference gathered around the Paul Bunyan statue for a group photo.

In the Age of the Internet, professional development opportunities are more accessible than ever before. With so many conferences and webinars out there, what makes NESAF stand out? Here are four reasons why we think NESAF is New England’s most worth-while forestry conference, and why we are already looking forward to 2018:

 

  1. A huge variety of topics. This year’s theme was Adapt, Adopt, Advance: Resiliency in Natural Resource Management. A key tenant of the conference was that forests have changed over time and so has the profession of forestry. Foresters, wildlife biologists, and entomologists continue to innovate so they can manage our woods and wildlife with the best and latest scientific knowledge and technology. Presentations and work sessions covered a huge range of topics, from improving forest resiliency to remote sensing technology; the effect of winter ticks on Maine’s moose, to a new program for Wabanki youth melding western philosophies of science and management with the rich Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Maine’s tribes. Whatever your interest, you can learn about it at NESAF.
  2. Spending time with colleagues—and meeting new ones. The 2017 NESAF meeting wasn’t just for foresters; it was also held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the Maine Chapter of The Wildlife Society and the Northeastern Forest Pest Council. When you bring foresters, wildlife ecologists, entomologists, forest pathologists, and technology experts all together in a room at the same time, exchanging ideas and sharing knowledge, good things are bound to happen. NESAF helps build camaraderie among natural resource professionals (and sometimes a sense of competition—more on that, below!).
  3. Reliving college rivalries. Ask any NESAF attendee to name one of their favorite events, and there’s a good chance they might say, “Quiz Bowl.” Every year, several New England forestry schools field undergraduate teams who compete in a Jeopardy-style contest, complete with judges, and an audience of conference attendees. Alumni and students alike have fun cheering their alma maters on—or matching their wits against the participants by (silently) attempting to answer questions before the students in the hot-seats.(And by the way, all of the FSM staff who attended NESAF are UMaine alums. Go Blue!)
  4. Recognizing the best of us. NESAF’s annual awards banquet celebrates the accomplishments and service of both up-and-coming and veteran natural resource professionals. Hearing about their achievements and goals is always inspiring. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!

This year the Forest Society of Maine had a special reason to love NESAF:  the meeting was organized through the efforts of many hardworking volunteers, led in large part by General Chair Kristen Hoffmann, who is one of FSM’s three excellent forestland stewards. Congratulations to Kris and her army of volunteers who made the conference possible. Thanks for a great NESAF 2017—we’ll see you next year in New Hampshire!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: events, NESAF

FSM Leads Project to Conserve 4,358 Acres Near Katahdin Iron Works

January 13, 2017 By Annie

The Forest Society of Maine has conserved 4,358 acres of forestland surrounding Silver Lake and 12 miles of the West Branch of the Pleasant River in Piscataquis County, Maine. These lands are visited each year by thousands of people from Maine and afar for fishing, hiking, camping, paddling, hunting, snowmobiling, and more. The property’s popular campsites and access to the river and lake are part of the amenities important to the region’s recreational and tourism economies. Public recreational access is now guaranteed forever.

The Forest Society of Maine (FSM) needed to raise $4.35 million for this acquisition. Success was made possible with the help of many partners and supporters. Leadership gifts were provided by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Jane’s Trust, the Knobloch Family Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Sweet Water Trust, and the Wyss Foundation through the Open Space Institute.Aerial photo by FSM of Silver Lake.

The project safeguards vital river habitat for Eastern brook trout and Atlantic salmon spawning, and habitat for American black duck, Canada lynx, Northern long-eared bat, wood turtle, bald eagle, and many other species of state and national significance. The project additionally protects a 400-acre mature silver maple flood plain forest—one of the largest and best examples in Maine.

These newly conserved lands, adjacent to the historic Katahdin Iron Works, help buffer this state-owned site. The Katahdin Iron Works operated from 1843 – 1890 and employed 400 people at its peak of operations. It used wood from these forestlands to operate its blast furnaces and kilns. Remnants of this operation can still be found. The area also became a popular tourist destination in the 1890s with the Silver Lake Hotel drawing visitors from across the country, attracted by the scenic setting and abundance of fish and wildlife. The hotel no longer stands, but the region’s beauty and natural resources persist and are now conserved for future generations.

The remarkable mix of ecological and recreational values found here made this a high priority project for us, especially as it is fills a key gap in the network of two million acres of already conserved lands in this region of Maine’s North Woods,” said Alan Hutchinson, FSM’s executive director.

The Forest Society of Maine worked with Conservation Forestry—a New Hampshire-based timber investment firm and the owner of these lands since 2009—to develop a conservation future for the property, recognizing the special ecological and recreational values found there. As part of the plan that was developed, FSM was charged with finding an appropriate group to own and manage these lands. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has become that owner and the Forest Society of Maine holds a conservation easement on the lands.

The Silver Lake – Pleasant River lands are adjacent to AMC’s 70,000 acres of other conservation holdings in the area which provide the focus for its Maine Woods Initiative, an innovative approach to conservation that combines outdoor recreation, resource protection, sustainable forestry, and community partnerships.

Silver Lake and the watershed of the West Branch of the Pleasant River are an ecological treasure trove of plant and animal life. We are honored to be the new stewards of these spectacular lands and waters, and are committed to their protection and accessibility for nature-based recreation,” said Walter Graff, senior vice president of the Appalachian Mountain Club. “This parcel will also allow us to expand our outreach to local youth by providing new and accessible water-based opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing,” Graff said.

The Open Space Institute (OSI) filled a key role in facilitating project success and funding. “For more than two decades, OSI has been on the ground helping conserve Maine’s recreational lands, pristine rivers, and working forests. The Silver Lake – Pleasant River project builds on these past successes and will deliver unparalleled recreational opportunities for the people of Maine and those who value this extraordinary setting,” said Kim Elliman, OSI’s president and CEO.

OSI’s contribution to the project would not have been possible without the Wyss Foundation’s support for our Eastern Lands Initiative, which aims to protect wilderness landscapes up and down our nation’s east coast.”

The Forest Society of Maine extends its deep gratitude to the people and organizations whose help resulted in permanently conserving these thousands of acres of woods and waters in Maine’s North Woods that are so special to many people and many species of wildlife.

 

Press coverage of the Silver Lake – Pleasant River project in the MaineBiz.

Click on the map below for a larger view of the Silver Lake – Pleasant River Project lands.FSM Silver Lake Project Map 2017

Filed Under: Blog, News Tagged With: Gulf Hagas, Katahdin Iron Works, KIW, project, Silver Lake

Snapshot of the Seasons of Maine’s North Woods

December 30, 2016 By Annie

Timberdoodle Hill conserved lands

Ducks on the Attean conservation lands

Canoeing Musquash Stream, 2016

Fall foliage in Maine's North Woods, 2016

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Annual support helps make forestland conservation possible

December 28, 2016 By Annie

Thank you!

Donors give FSM the capacity to work with forestland owners on new conservation projects while overseeing one million acres of already conserved lands.

Each year those from Maine and beyond who care about Maine’s vast forestlands make it clear from their contributions that these woods and waters hold a special place in their hearts. We’re proud of what’s been achieved these past 12 months and hope that you will be too, as you read about the places that have been permanently protected for people and wildlife forever.

Three projects completed so far in 2016,
and counting…

 

Amazon – Musquash 

The Forest Society of Maine worked with Downeast Lakes Land Trust (DLLT) to complete a decade long landscape conservation initiative in the Downeast Lakes region. This summer DLLT closed on their 21,000-acre Grand Lake Stream Community Forest project, and, as part of that transaction DLLT donated a 7,100-acre conservation easement to FSM.
Aerial view of Musquash Stream and the Amazon - Musquash conservation lands in 2016.
Part of the Amazon – Musquash conserved lands as seen from the air early this spring:  Musquash Stream and unique features, including an esker (tree-lined ridge on the left of the stream) and a domed bog toward the top of the photo.

 

West Branch of the Dead Stream

In July FSM completed the West Branch of the Dead Stream easement in Atkinson resulting in the conservation of 2,300 acres and filling an important gap within a network of conserved lands. This project includes about 15 miles of land along Levensellor Brook and the West Branch of the Dead Stream, and complements two other easements the Forest Society of Maine holds nearby.
An autumn photo taken by FSM staff while documenting the wetlands and other ecological features of the project area.
An autumn photo taken by FSM staff while documenting the wetlands and other ecological features of the project area.

 

Reed Forest

On November 14, Apple and The Conservation Fund announced the donation of a 32,400-acre conservation easement at Reed Forest to Forest Society of Maine. With support from Apple, the Fund also donated an endowment to Forest Society of Maine to ensure the easement will be monitored and enforced.
Reed Forest conserved lands
Photo by Jerry Monkman, EcoPhotography, of the Reed Forest along the Mattawamkeag River.

Filed Under: Blog

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Blog Posts

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  • Maine Voices: Our forests offer a valuable buffer against climate change November 2, 2022
  • Remembering four champions of Maine’s great forests July 28, 2022

FSM’s Latest Blog Posts

  • Hidden Benefits of Maine’s Forests May 31, 2023
  • Maine Voices: Our forests offer a valuable buffer against climate change November 2, 2022
  • Remembering four champions of Maine’s great forests July 28, 2022

Your land trust for Maine’s North Woods

Forest Society of Maine conserves Maine's forestlands in a manner that sustains their ecological, economic, cultural, and recreational values.

Contact Information

 
Main Office
115 Franklin St., 3rd Floor,
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 945-9200
info@fsmaine.org

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