Blog – Page 13

Moosehead Lake: Strong Connections between Conservation Lands and Economic Health

May 9, 2017 By Annie

By Karin Tilberg, FSM Deputy Director

The Forest Society of Maine (FSM), a land trust serving Maine’s North Woods, holds nearly 1 million acres of forestland in conservation easements. A good portion of the conservation easements we hold surround the Moosehead Lake region and extend to the north, west, and east including many mountains, lakes, and rivers. The conservation easements typically allow for continued sustainable forest management and the landowners, who still own the land, continue to pay taxes on the land. The public benefits from the permanently assured public access and the conservation of wildlife habitat, special natural areas, recreational assets, and scenic beauty the easements ensure.

Easements are permanent and ensure stability that in turn gives confidence to communities and businesses to plan for forest management, recreational trails, permanent access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and enterprises that are geared to outdoor recreation activities. Given the extent of FSM’s easement holdings in the Moosehead Lake area, our organization has endeavored to strengthen the connections between the conservation provided by the easements and the economic benefits for businesses and communities. For the past four years, FSM’s staff has been an integral part of establishing permanent hiking trails on Weyerhaeuser (formerly Plum Creek) easement lands in collaboration with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and others. Our organization also has been a leader in starting a new group, Moosehead Trails, that brings together volunteers to help care for trails in the vicinity of Moosehead Lake. This is important for safety and for improving the experience of those using the trails, since those that enjoy well-maintained trails are more likely to return.

FSM is investing a significant amount of organizational energy as part of the board of the Moosehead Lake Regional Economic Development Corporation (MLREDC). The MLREDC helped sponsor Roger Brooks International and the Moosehead Branding Initiative and held some exciting Think Tank Workshops guided by consultants from Future iQ for regional planning for the Moosehead Lake region. The goal of this work is to develop a shared vision within the Moosehead Lake communities for how best to celebrate the natural beauty of the waters, forests, and mountains of Moosehead Lake, and the amazing array of cultural, recreational and natural resource-based opportunities within the region. Central objectives of the branding of Moosehead Lake as America’s Crown Jewel are to bring more year-round residents to live in the area, extend the economic season to eight months (from five months) per year, and to celebrate and steward the natural resources of Moosehead Lake that make it such an icon. The Forest Society of Maine brings its knowledge and expertise to this task with great enthusiasm. We are honored to be an integral part of an amazing enterprise that is bringing together so many people who care about the future of Moosehead Lake.

Published in Moosehead Matters, Piscataquis Observer April 2017.

Conservation Helps Wish Come True

April 28, 2017 By Annie

W. Branch of the Penobscot, Big Island North. Photo by Dan Legere, 2004.

Adapted from FSM’s Fall 2016 Newsletter, Forest View

For this article Anna Schwarcz spoke with Dan Legere, Registered Maine Guide and 2015 recipient of the Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award. He and his wife Penny own Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville, ME.

One sunny day years ago, Dan Legere was standing on the bank of his favorite fishing spot with a representative from a conservation group. Sunlight sparkled off the rushing water and it was quiet, aside from the sound of the tumbling river. Standing there, the gentleman turned to Dan and asked, “If you could wish for anything, what would it be?” Dan replied, “My greatest wish would be that this place would stay the same forever.”

A Registered Maine Guide, Dan has been guiding fishermen on Maine’s waters for nearly 30 years. After graduating college he became a guide at a sporting camp and soon after began a fly-tying business. His business flourished, but his dream was to have his own shop. Having visited Greenville to peddle flies at sporting camps he realized there wasn’t a store catering specifically to fishermen. He purchased a building in Greenville 35 years ago, setting up Maine Guide Fly Shop, which he still runs with his wife Penny. The business became the go-to place for visitors looking to hire local fishing guides. Clients stock up on flies then head out on their own or with guides to the scenic, trout and salmon-filled waters of the Moosehead Lake region. One reason the area has been so popular is because secluded, undeveloped fishing spots are plentiful and accessible here, unlike most other places they have fished.

Most of the forestland Dan and his guides relied on was owned by paper companies like Great Northern Paper. He knew having access to the land was a unique privilege, but in the ‘90s when companies began selling their land he realized the privilege might not last. Maine has a longstanding tradition of landowners allowing public use of private property, but some prospective buyers were not so keen on this tradition of sharing. While talking about using these forested lands, he paused to consider that having public access was something he doesn’t take for granted but didn’t always give a lot of thought. “When you’re out there every day,” he said, “you just get the feeling it’s never going to change.”

In response to changes in forestland ownership that were occurring, FSM and other groups, (with support from the local community and its leaders, like Dan), began working with willing landowners to develop conservation options. As a result hundreds of thousands of acres of land around Moosehead Lake have been conserved in the past two decades—resulting in permanent public access and helping to sustain the livelihoods of many, like Registered Maine Guides, who depend on these woods and waters.

As Dan reflected on this he realized that although it didn’t happen instantly, the good news was that he got his wish—his favorite fishing spot was conserved along with tens of thousands of acres of forestland and miles of shoreline around remote lakes and ponds. He thanks the Forest Society of Maine and others who worked to conserve these forestlands because their future is no longer uncertain and they will remain much as they are today.

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Gulf Hagas – Pleasant River Project

April 19, 2017 By Annie

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.

The 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.

Click map to enlarge

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:

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.
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!).
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!)
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!

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.

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.

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Forest Society of Maine

Don’t miss out on great stories and exciting news about FSM and the Maine woods.
Sign up for our newsletter (check the box indicating you want to receive the newsletter).