Two million acres of conserved land stretching across northern Maine—westward from Baxter State Park around Moosehead Lake and northward to the St. John River—that’s the vision embodied in the Moosehead Conservation Framework. This agreement between the Conservancy, our conservation partners, and landowner Plum Creek would permanently conserve more than 400,000 acres near Moosehead Lake and create an unprecedented corridor of conservation across Maine’s North Woods.

These lands could not be more strategically located. Add this piece to the jigsaw puzzle of  North Woods conservation lands, and suddenly the picture comes into focus.

It is a picture of pristine waters and forested mountains, of remote recreational opportunities for fishing, hunting, paddling, hiking and camping. It is a picture of protection for priceless ecological treasures: the headwaters of some of Maine’s major rivers; untouched ponds and peatlands; habitat for rare plants and animals. And it is a picture of vast blocks of unfragmented forests sustainably managed to support the local economy while providing a home to wide-ranging mammals such as moose, marten, fisher and Canada lynx.

Clear Vision

The future of Maine’s North Woods depends on conservation action taken today. The Moosehead Conservation Framework represents a rare opportunity to accomplish conservation at a truly landscape scale.

The Nature Conservancy, Appalachian Mountain Club and the Forest Society of Maine are jointly raising public and private funds for the project. The total cost of the easement and fee purchases will be $35 million.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © David McLain (Moose River); Photo © Vikki Nolan (pine marten).