Land Trust Achieves 10,000 Acre Milestone
By Tom Doak
With the recent addition of lands from the Chandler Brothers in New Gloucester and the donation of land by the Towle family in Hollis, Maine Woodland Owners has now permanently conserved more than 10,000 acres of working forestland in Maine.
When the Board of Directors created the land trust program in 1991, few really knew how much of an impact it would have and how successful it would be. It was meant to address an unmet need. The land trust movement was underway, but most land conservation organizations were focused on permanent protection of woodland and keeping those lands forever wild.
Right from the start, Maine Woodland Owners had a different vision. We focused on conserving working forestland that would be responsibly, sustainably managed. We set out to show how proper management can contribute to the local economy, improve the forest, enhance wildlife habitat, and conserve special places.
In 1991 our organization received its first land trust gift, a 65-acre parcel in the town of Sweden that we now call the Patty Eastman Carroll Memorial Forest (You can read the story about this acquisition in the September 1991 edition of SWOAM News found at www.mainewoodlandowners.org/links-apps).
At the parcel’s dedication our founder, Duncan Howlett, stated, “I think this is a major point in the development of this association for which I feel so deeply.” The land trust committee chair at the time, Jack Erler, spoke for many when he said, “We are literally, as well as, figuratively standing at the crossroads of the program.”
From that beginning, our land trust continues to grow and has now conserved land in 48 different communities in Maine including over 7,000 acres owned outright and nearly 3,300 acres covered by conservation easements. All of Maine Woodland Owners’ land is on local tax rolls, will never be developed, and serve as working forestland.
Opened to the public, each parcel is guided by a comprehensive plan that meets internationally recognized standards of sustainability. And just because we believe in working forestland, doesn’t mean there aren’t special places and unique sites on our lands. Our properties include some outstanding undeveloped lake frontage, rare plant and animal habitats, incredible scenic locations, and unique tree species.
Today, Maine Woodland Owners remains true to the original vision and is the only organization that works statewide to conserve family-owned working forest land. The vast majority of local land trusts are still focused on “forever wild” but we have always believed the forestland owners should have a choice about the future of their land. If we are approached by owners who want their land treated as forever wild and completely unmanaged, we help that owner find an alternative organization that is a better fit.
I have had the pleasure of meeting most of the people who have donated lands to Maine Woodland Owners. They come from different walks of life, different experiences with their land, and sometimes from different parts of the country. But the common thread is a love for their woods, the wish to have that land conserved and properly managed, and the faith the donors have in our organization.
Reaching 10,000 acres of conserved forestland is quite an accomplishment. We owe a great deal to the incredible generosity of all the donors who have created a lasting legacy. We aren’t finished though. The growth of our land trust program is accelerating as more people consider the long-term future of their woodland.
We have begun looking toward setting our next goal, with several pending gifts of land in the works. If you are interested in helping us add to our land trust, please contact me: tom@mainewoodlandowners.org.