Forest Society of Maine

Your land trust for Maine's North Woods
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Forestland Benefits ME

July 24, 2018 By Annie

Aerial view of West Lake, by FSM

As printed in FSM’s newsletter, Forest View, Spring 2018.

Forest habitat is working to make your quality of life better 24/7 whether you live near woods or hundreds of miles away. If you live near the woods you may see firsthand how forests are beneficial, but if you live in a city you may find yourself wondering how forestland, particularly forestland hours away, benefits you. Perhaps you aren’t an avid hiker, fisherman, nature-watcher, or outdoor enthusiast, and that’s okay.

Maine-made hardwood flooring
Maine-made hardwood flooring.

It is widely recognized that everyone benefits from undeveloped habitat, like forests or wetlands. These benefits, whether direct or indirect, are referred to as ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are services provided by nature essentially for free that we would otherwise have to pay for. Clean water is one example. Forests filter out pollutants and particulates so that citizens pay less to treat their drinking water. Another way tree-covered landscapes help is by soaking up rainwater, releasing it slowly over time and reducing the amount of runoff that causes rivers and streams to flood. The forest upstream from you may be keeping your cellar dry.

Forestland everywhere provides carbon storage, temperature moderation and cleaner air, maintenance of productive soils, wildlife habitat, and a renewable source of fuel and fiber. These benefits are local and regional, and even global.

There are many tangible products we use daily that come from forests. Toothpicks, for instance, toilet paper, rolling pins, baseball bats, furniture, and Popsicle sticks, are made from trees. Many people heat their homes with wood–either firewood or pellets. Most of us use paper on a regular basis, even in the computer era. Millions of forested acres in Maine mean some products are grown, harvested, and produced right in our own backyard providing local jobs for our fellow Mainers.

We rely on forestland for a healthier environment, jobs, resources (like wood products), wildlife habitat, and a place to recreate and relax. Forests play an important role in many aspects of our lives and thanks to our supporters the Forest Society of Maine has helped conserve more than one million acres of Maine’s forestland that continues to provide these benefits for all of us.

Filed Under: Blog

Committed to Diversity

The Forest Society of Maine (FSM) recognizes the importance and urgency of increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all elements of our mission and work. Please read FSM’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Statement here: FSM’s DEIJ Statement.

KIW-Silver Lake Drone Footage

The Forest Society of Maine is pleased to share with the public drone footage highlighting the unique values of the KIW-Silver Lake property. The drone footage can be accessed using the following link to a Google Drive folder: KIW Drone Footage. The footage was sponsored by Conservation Forestry, LLC and filmed by North Woods Aerial. The videos shared here also include subtitles for accessibility.

Maine Won’t Wait

The Maine Climate Council published a four-year plan for climate action in Maine in December 2020. The Council made two proposals that directly impact Maine’s forests. Firstly, an increase of 30% in total acreage of conserved lands in Maine by 2030 (30 by 30) through purchases of land and conservation easements. Secondly, the development of new programs and incentives to increase carbon storage.

For the full document, visit: Maine Won’t Wait.

Background Photo Credit: James Wheeler

FSM’s Latest Blog Posts

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Maine Forests & Carbon

Maine’s Forests Reduce Carbon Pollution Most of us can point to tangible ways in which our … Read More...

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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