Attean

Attean Region Conservation: Part of the Big Picture

April 29, 2018 By Annie

The state of Maine is fortunate to have a variety of habitat, everything from rocky coastline to acres of forests dotted with ponds, and a great deal in between. One could argue the whole state is special, yet there are several areas in Maine that really stand out from an ecological perspective. The Attean Pond region in western Maine is one such place.

Blackburnian warber. Photo by Pamela Wells — Blackburnian warbler. Photo by Pam Wells.

This region has been identified by experts as a focus area because the landscape supports many habitat types in a concentrated area: mountains, wetlands, streams, rivers, ponds, and woodlands. This diversity is a boon for wildlife who can find different habitats in close proximity. The land in this region remains largely undeveloped, thanks to conservation easements and fee purchases by FSM, other conservation groups, and the state.

In 1984 FSM was created to hold an easement around Attean Pond. This year FSM hopes to add a missing piece to the 50,000 acres already conserved in this region through its Little Big Wood Pond project. We have an opportunity to conserve 4,000 feet of shoreline that, under current zoning, could be developed into 16 residences. Conserving this missing piece will protect the south shore of the pond from development and also help to maintain the wetland complex adjacent to Little Big Wood Pond, preserving water quality and fisheries habitat for species such as brook trout.

Number 5 Bog near Attean Overlook is a special feature of the area. — Number 5 Bog near Attean Pond.

This article was originally published in Forest View, Spring 2018.

30 Years, A Million Acres

July 26, 2016 By Annie

**Excerpt from Forest View, FSM’s biannual newsletter, Spring 2015 edition**

How remarkable that the Forest Society of Maine (FSM) is celebrating not one, but two milestones: our 30 year anniversary and having helped conserve a million acres! From day one, FSM’s focus has been on the woods and waters of Maine’s North Woods, the largest remaining block of forestland east of the Rocky Mountains. But FSM is also about people —people who care about the future of this incredible expanse of forest.

FSM arose in 1984 from a need, a vision, and a bold idea. The need was that of the Coburn family who after a century as landowners faced the sale of their forestlands. They wanted the mountains, forests, hiking and canoe trails, and ecological gems around Attean Pond to be maintained into the future. The vision was that productively managed forests and conservation could go hand-in-hand, sustaining ecological, economic, recreational, scenic, and cultural values. The bold idea was creating an organization with the unique mission of conserving those many values. With the help of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire’s Forests, FSM was established to hold 20,000 acres of forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes. The Attean project included what was then the largest conservation easement ever undertaken and one of the first to conserve forests for habitat, timber, scenic vistas, and public recreation.

By 1994 a century of relative stability in ownership and management of Maine’s North Woods began to change. Leaders at Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Maine Tree Foundation, and Trust for Public Land came together to evaluate the need for a new program specifically focused on conserving the economic and environmental values of Maine’s forestlands. They spoke with landowners, land conservation professionals, ecologists, foresters, mill owners, hikers, hunters, anglers, guides, scientists, and community leaders. They also conducted a review of forestland conservation programs across the United States to find a relevant model for Maine. Their findings laid the groundwork for the restructuring of FSM into a staffed, Maine-based, fully independent, and self-sustaining organization dedicated to filling the role of the land trust for Maine’s North Woods. Alan Hutchinson, FSM’s founding executive director, was hired in 1997 and a steady stream of important projects emerged beginning with the 20,000-acre Nicatous Lake project and followed shortly thereafter by the 329,000-acre West Branch project.

While we’ve spent much of the last year reflecting on our progress, we have also been looking ahead to the next 30 years. We have met with hundreds of FSM supporters and friends across the state. We learned there is continued need for FSM, our inclusive conservation approach, and our focus on large working forest landscapes. As a result Forest Society of Maine remains committed to its mission ensuring that the integrity and productivity of Maine’s North Woods will endure.