FSM would like to introduce you to our newest Forestland Steward, Rue Teel!

Rue got her BS in Wildlife & Conservation Biology with a minor in Forestry from UNH in 2019, and her MS in Natural Resources in 2025. She brings with her a background of stewardship and work for land trusts in southern New Hampshire, along with experience as a research scientist. Outside of work she loves to hike, swim, kayak, snowshoe, ski, read, and knit.

FSM is grateful to have her on board, stewarding the lands we help to conserve. Welcome, Rue!

In 2009, the Stetson Mountain Fund was established at FSM with funding from First Wind. This fund provides grants to local groups and communities seeking to maintain and enhance access to recreational opportunities in the Baskahegan Stream watershed, which arises from the slopes of Stetson Mountain in Washington County. In April, FSM celebrated 15 years of awarding grants, with a special event for past recipients and community members that included a morning tour of Baskahegan Landing, a walk at Harlow Trail, and a luncheon.

FSM is grateful for the opportunity to work with these local groups and fund projects that encourage recreation in the Baskahegan Stream watershed. This year, the Stetson Mountain Fund will support the following projects:

🌲 Woodie Wheaton Land Trust: Baskahegan Watershed Trail stewardship, including trail maintenance on the Cold Spring trail and East Grand Highlands trail

🌲 North Maine Woods: Support for grounds maintenance including mowing, trimming and trash removal of the parking and overflow area of the Baskahegan Landing

🌲Citizens Organization for Rural Education (CORE): Cold Spring Hill Hiking Trails Completion.

🌲Citizens Organization for Rural Education (CORE): The Baskahegan River Water Trails completion and remote campsite restoration

FSM would like to welcome our 2026 Swan Intern, Kaela Redman!

Kaela is a Master of Forest Conservation candidate at the University of Toronto and a recent Honours Bachelor of Arts graduate specializing in Forest Conservation and Environmental Studies. Her graduate work has focused on sustainable forest management, environmental policy and species at risk, oak wilt, and woodland caribou conservation. She is passionate about regeneration dynamics, forest pests and invasive species, environmental law, and community-centered conservation efforts.

Outside of her academic and professional work, Kaela enjoys exploring local trails and spotting new insects during hikes, sharing her passion for trees with her friends and family, and spending time out at camp. She is excited to work with FSM, explore hands-on experience with conservation easements, and spend time in the field!

The Swan Internship Program has been made possible by a generous bequest from long-time donors Hank and Freda Swan. To learn more about the program, visit our Swan Internship page.

In our recent mailed spring Newsletter, we featured an article on headwaters – where the water comes from – and FSM’s headwater conservation projects. Here’s an excerpt:

“Headwaters have many roles. They are natural filters of sediment and contaminants; they collect and disperse nutrients that feed organisms downstream. They absorb rainfall, slow runoff, and reduce flood risk. Headwater ponds and wetlands store water, helping to maintain river flow during times of low water and drought. […] FSM’s work is uniquely suited to headwater conservation for Maine’s largest and most famous rivers, because the origins of these rivers are deep in Maine’s North Woods.”

Want to read more? Email us at info@fsmaine.org to make sure you get a mailed copy of our newsletter.

📷 Photo taken at Moosehead region conservation easement, a vast easement that conserves headwaters for both the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers

🌲🌎 Happy Earth Day from Forest Society of Maine!

Globally, Forests provide tens of millions of jobs, are a vital part of the food chain, and over 28,000 species of forest plants are used in medicines. With approximately 89% of its land covered by forests, Maine is the most forested state in the U.S.

With your help, FSM can continue working to keep it that way. Today, we will receive $1,000 if we make it to 22 gifts, thanks to a generous match from an anonymous donor. We’re already halfway there! We hope you will consider making an Earth Day gift to FSM today to help us reach 22 gifts to unlock our match. Your generosity today helps us conserve forestlands in Maine to ensure that they can be enjoyed by current and future generations.

Can’t give today? Here are some other meaningful ways to take action for Earth Day.

🌎 Find an Earth Day event near you! Community cleanups, tree planting, town hall meetings, community organizing, and much more. Find a map of events at EarthDay.org.

♻️ Commit to one eco-friendly habit this month. Commit to using reusable bags only, taking shorter showers, or cleaning up litter when you take a walk.

🌱 Share our mission! Share our posts or tell someone why our work to conserve Maine’s forestlands matters.

Your support helps sustain the movement for a healthier planet. We’re truly grateful for your help. Thank you for celebrating Earth Day with us in such a meaningful way.

Give today: https://www.fsmaine.org/give