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A western Maine conservation project that seeks to protect biodiversity and maintain public access to recreation is uniting Mainers from all walks of life.
The Magalloway Lands and Waters project was featured in “Nature Connects” a monthly column in the Portland Press Herald, showcasing conservation stories from people and organizations across Maine.
Each year, Earth Day invites us to reflect not just on the challenges facing our planet, but also on the progress we’ve made, and the power of coming together to protect the places we love. During a time of deep division, a conservation project in western Maine offers a powerful reminder of what is possible when we focus on what unites us and work together to achieve it.
Last month, four conservation organizations — Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Forest Society of Maine, Northeast Wilderness Trust and The Nature Conservancy in Maine — announced a project that seeks to conserve 78,000 acres in the western Maine mountains, keeping it undeveloped and open to the public. The Magalloway Collaborative, as the partnership is named, is united around a shared commitment to making conservation reflective of the diverse ways Mainers connect with their lands.
The Magalloway Lands and Waters project has something for everyone. The area’s waterways and forests are of global renown, a perfect backdrop for hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and the many other ways people experience and appreciate the outdoors. The property includes more than 170 miles of rivers and streams, which host some of the most resilient brook trout habitat in the United States. The project guarantees public access to these treasured resources for future generations.
Beyond supporting the outdoor economy, the project will also help sustain the forest economy for local communities. More than 62,000 acres of the property will be covered by a conservation easement that allows for sustainable timber harvest, supporting a longstanding Maine livelihood. New agreements, such as no-harvest buffer zones along streams and riverbanks, will ensure that these harvests are compatible with the project’s ecological objectives.
Those ecological objectives are also reflected in the project’s 15,000-plus acres of ecological reserves, where human disturbance will be minimal. No timber harvest will be permitted in these areas, while the forests here will grow old and store vast amounts of carbon. Respectful human visitors will also have the chance to observe the passive rewilding process firsthand.
Finally, the project’s impact extends beyond its boundaries. The property connects more than 500,000 acres of conserved lands from New Hampshire, through Maine, and into Canada — a triumph for landscape connectivity in the Northern Appalachians. The creation of corridors such as these is critical as temperatures rise and species shift their ranges in response to climate change. Iconic Maine wildlife like moose, lynx and migratory songbirds, including more than 20 species of warbler, will benefit from this expansive wilderness. This suite of supported uses has been the driving force behind the Magalloway Lands and Waters since its inception.
“Even if Mainers don’t always see eye to eye on the nitty-gritty of land use, most share a deep and reverent love for the state’s lands and believe in their careful stewardship for future generations. Why shouldn’t this spirit — one of mutual respect, collaboration and community that can unite Mainers from all walks of life — be at the heart of conservation?”
Read the full opinion piece on Portland Press Herald’s website.
Partner Details
Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust
Since its inception in 1991, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust (RLHT) has conserved over 125,000 acres in western Maine. RLHT’s mission is to sustain the ecological, economic, and social vitality of the Rangeley Region by conserving, restoring, and stewarding its lands and waters for present and future generations. RLHT works on the ground to restore habitats, build climate resiliency in the region, and conserve biodiversity in one of the most ecologically significant landscapes in North America. RLHT also supports and practices sustainable forestry and connects the community to conservation through a broad network of public-access trails. Learn more at rlht.org.
Forest Society of Maine
Forest Society of Maine, a statewide land trust established in 1984, assists landowners, families, and communities to conserve forestland across the state for sustainable forest management, recreation, wildlife habitat, and historic and cultural values. Over the past 40 years, FSM has helped conserve more than one million acres, making it the seventh largest land trust in the country by conserved acres. More information about the Forest Society of Maine can be found at www.fsmaine.org.
Northeast Wilderness Trust
Northeast Wilderness Trust is a regional land trust that focuses exclusively on protecting wilderness areas—lands permanently protected as forever wild, where natural processes direct the ebb and flow of life. With its headquarters in Vermont, staff in multiple states, and board members across the Northeast, the Wilderness Trust (www.newildernesstrust.org) protects more than 93,000 acres in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. TNC is working to make a lasting difference in 81 countries and territories and uses a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, tribes, the private sector, and other partners. The Appalachians are one of four current global focal areas for TNC. Co-founded in 1956 by Rachel Carson, TNC Maine has helped protect almost 2.5 million acres and currently owns and manages around 300,000 acres in the state. To learn more, visit www.nature.org/maine or follow @TNCMaine on social media.
Media contacts:
Molly Shaw
Director of Communications, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust
mshaw@rlht.org | 207-615-6659
Richard Knox
Director of Communications, Northeast Wilderness Trust
richard@newildernesstrust.org | 207-242-5578
