Editor’s Note: This blog is the third in a series exploring the role of innovation finance in forest management.

From an airplane looking out over Maine’s vast forests something peculiar can be seen. Although 90% of the state is forested, the checkerboard-like patchwork of ownership is readily visible from the air, stretching out as far as the eye can see.

There are many benefits when these large swatches of forests are managed collaboratively—across boundaries—in shared stewardship. Landowners, the larger public and local economies reap tangible benefits such as cleaner air and water, increased recreation opportunities, and sustainable timber and fuel production. They also lower their community’s risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Taking it a step further, the Forest Service and its partners are now looking at innovative approaches to help support public-private partnerships that can tackle the critical restoration work needed to keep our public and private forests healthy and productive.

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