Maine
Total forested acres = 17.06 million
Privately owned = 6.89 million acres
Industry = 8.44 million acres
Government = 1.73 million acres
Below is a summary of our habitat conservation projects and educational opportunities relevant to family forest owners in Maine. In addition, you’ll find links to state agencies and local conservation partners that can provide further resources and information about conservation forestry.
Northern Forest Watershed Services
The Crooked River watershed in Maine provides vital watershed services, many of which face an array of pressures from exurban sprawl, climate change, nonpoint water pollution, proposed dam construction, noxious species, and other threats. The Foundation is undertaking two pilot projects (the other in Vermont and New Hampshire) to develop an incentive-based framework to allow for an integrated marketplace at the local level for the purposes of identifying, trading, and potentially banking watershed services. The project will focus initially on water purification, flood control and abatement, recreational and scenic resources, and habitat protection.
Click here to learn more about the Northern Forest Watershed Services project.
The New England Cottontail: Investigating a Market-Based Approach to Habitat Management
The New England cottontail is the only native cottontail in New England and the only cottontail found in Maine. It was once abundant throughout many northeastern states; however, during the mid-20th century, it's distribution decline dramatically. Research points to the loss or fragmentation of large patches (>10 acres) of early-successional habitat (thickets and shrubs with a dense understory) that the NEC utilizes as reasons for its decline.
Click here to learn more about the New England cottontail and how you can participate in a landowner survey related to economic incentives for habitat management for the New England cottontail.
Restoring Maine Atlantic Salmon Habitat
Under a grant from NFWF, Shared Streams collaborated with four family forest owners and Trout Unlimited, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Maine Forest Service, and the Maine Tree Farm Committee to implement demonstration projects that improved aquatic habitat for the rapidly declining Maine Atlantic salmon (a federally endangered species) and a distinct population segment identified by the NMFS. Read more.
Demonstration Field Days
Educational Forest Trail
Technical and Cost-share Assistance
- The University of Maine Cooperative Extension can provide management suggestions based upon current university research, information and expertise. Use the website link to locate your local county agents. Ph: (207) 581-3188.
- The Maine Forest Service provides cost-share, educational, and technical forestry services to landowners. Ph: (207) 287-2791; within Maine 1-800-367-0223.
- The Partners for Fish & Wildlife program of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offers technical and financial assistance to landowners for restoration of native habitat types. Ph: 207-827-5938 (x15).
- The Maine Natural Resources Conservation Service can provide information on federal cost-share opportunities and assistance. Ph: 207-990-9100 (x3).
- The Maine Natural Areas Program can provide information about rare or endangered plant species or ecological communities and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is responsible for information on rare and endangered animal species that may occur on your land. Both agencies can provide information on what you can do to help conserve any species that might occur on your land. Ph: MNAP: 207-287-8044; MDIFW: 207-287-8000.
Forest Landowner Groups
Local organizations that support the work of family forest owners:
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Awareness signs