MAINE—Recreators in eastern Maine now have many more miles of shoreline and thousands of acres of forest to visit for years to come. That's because the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and The Conservation Fund, permanently protected over 4,300 acres of significant private forestland as part of the East Grand/Weston Forest Legacy Program project.  

Using a combination of grant funding, including funds from the Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, the Land for Maine’s Future program, and other sources, the Maine BPL purchased a perpetual conservation easement that secures public access for recreation and ensures the natural character of the land will be permanently safeguarded. The easement also allows the property to remain privately owned and sustainably managed for timber production.

Acquiring this conservation easement is the final phase of the East Grand Lake Watershed Initiative, a multi-year effort led by The Conservation Fund to protect a total of 11,821 acres of forestland and more than 21 miles of shoreline along the border of the U.S. and Canada in eastern Maine.

“Threats to healthy, resilient, and productive forests diminish the social, economic and environmental benefits they provide. Through our Forest Legacy Program, the Forest Service directly supports keeping forests as forests for future generations to benefit from and enjoy,” said Gina Owens, regional forester for the Forest Service’s Eastern Region.

The conservation easements held by Maine BPL will prevent conversion of the properties to non-forest uses, securing the ability of these lands to support ecosystem services, timber management, and outdoor recreation. The Downeast region, where the project is located, is known for its traditional sporting camps and guide services and are a central part of the local economy. It is revered for its landlocked salmon, brook trout and bass fisheries, with East Grand Lake boasting the highest number of angler days of any lake in the Downeast region. 

Benefits of the East Grand Lake Watershed Initiative include habitat protection for 27 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, as identified by Maine’s State Wildlife Action Plan, including migratory waterfowl found in the extensive wetlands and river corridor along Monument Brook. The protected properties also comprise a portion of the Million Dollar View Scenic Byway viewshed, which draws visitors from near and far.

“The Bureau of Parks and Lands is thrilled to be part of this collaborative effort to conserve a spectacular piece of land and shoreline,” said Andy Cutko, Bureau of Parks and Lands director. “This project provides immeasurable benefits to Maine’s people and wildlife. We thank The Conservation Fund for their enduring vision, support, and leadership over the past decade and the Forest Legacy Program for its support of this project and the broader East Grand Lake Watershed Initiative.”

The Forest Legacy Program is administered by the Forest Service in partnership with designated state agencies to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases. It is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was established by Congress in 1964 to fulfill a bipartisan commitment to safeguard our natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, and to provide public recreation opportunities.