America's Last Vast Forest: Maine's Appalachian Mountain Corridor

The largest intact forest in the eastern U.S. is also wedged between the largest metro regions in the U.S. and Canada. Its people and communities are closely tied to this landscape where conservation, recreation, forestry, and connection to place are all linked together. Join us in conserving this American treasure. We spoke with Brian Wentzel, Executive Director of the Maine Mountain Collaborative. 

Tell us a little about the Maine Mountain Collaborative. When was it founded? What are your main objectives? Who are you trying to reach with your message?

The Collaborative came together in 2014 to innovate and accelerate land conservation in the 5 million-acre Maine Appalachian Mountain Corridor – the core of one of the world’s most intact temperate forests. As conservationists we saw the potential for large land sales and at the same time drastic cuts to public land conservation funding. We knew we had to think differently about funding land conservation.

We knew we needed to raise awareness of the region with conservation investors and funders and find new financial strategies that could accelerate the pace and scale of forest conservation and restoration.

What is unique (ecologically or culturally) about the Maine Appalachian Corridor compared to other wilderness areas in the country?

There is no place else like this is in the Eastern U.S. Look at a photo of the region at night from space – it is the big dark spot between the biggest metro regions in the United States (DC to central New England megalopolis) and Canada (the Quebec City-Montreal-Ottawa corridor).  But, 85% is privately owned and only 30% is in some form of conservation. Paper companies and large forestland owners have kept these lands mostly intact over the years, but there is no large public forest that protects it.

The lack of development, intact forests, and mountain topography among other factors means it has incredible ecological value as a “climate corridor” – as the climate warms species can move north or up in elevation to find suitable temperatures.

On top of that the region has incredible wildlife and biodiversity:

• The largest moose population in the lower 48 states;
• The elusive, rare and endangered Canada lynx;
• Essential breeding grounds for many species of birds including warblers, thrushes and hawks that migrate from distant regions;
• Rivers that harbor the last native populations of the endangered Atlantic salmon in the US;
• Pristine lakes, ponds and streams supporting the nation’s only population of wild, self-reproducing brook trout.

Just as important - the communities here are really special – close-knit and “of” the landscape, not separate from it. Generations have earned their living through the forest-based jobs like logging and guiding. The forest products industry relies on these forests to make lumber, paper and other products. And the pristine mountains, lakes and rivers here draw visitors here for really incredible outdoor recreation experiences: paddling, fishing, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and hunting.

The word ‘conservation’ can be misleading. Some people hear it and think that it automatically means no forestry, no hunting, etc. What does ‘conservation’ mean in the context of this collaborative and its objectives?

“Conservation” is a catch-all word that can mean a lot of different things. At the very least it means land can’t be developed. There’s a continuum of the types of conservation from Wilderness areas or “ecological reserves” where there’s no timber harvesting and only non-motorized recreation to working forest easements, which permanently prohibit development but allow logging and generally remain privately owned. We have a long tradition in Maine of public access for recreation on both public and private lands that we like to try to keep when lands are conserved. The Collaborative’s approach really focuses on what makes the most sense on particular lands. Some lands may have high ecological value and should be conserved as ecological reserves with little or no timber harvesting, and other lands might be very appropriate for sustainable forest management. Most importantly, we work with landowners to acquire land or easements – these are all friendly transactions.

What does this region stand to lose if conservation efforts are not made?

The real threat is fragmentation – lands getting divided up into smaller parcels and potentially developed. It’s much harder to do sustainable forest management or conservation on seven parcels versus one. Conservation that allows for good sustainable forestry can also ensure better long term forest practices that are good for wildlife and growing bigger, more valuable trees. Our member organization New England Forestry Foundation has taken the best and most current thinking about these ideas and created “Exemplary Forest” standards which we are trying to encourage across the landscape.

What was the motivation to make the short film “America’s Last Vast Forest”?

We wanted a film that would be an emotional hook for someone who may not know much about Maine or this incredible landscape. If we have just a few minutes to convince someone that this is a landscape worth protecting – including both ecological and community values – we needed something that got right to the heart of things quickly. I personally really enjoyed working with Little Outdoor Giants in making this film. It was an amazing 5 days traveling across the landscape with them on trails, rivers, roads, lakes, and in the air.

Any addional comments about the film, collaborative, or the Maine Appalachian Corridor?

To quote Karin Tilberg, Executive Director of the Forest Society of Maine, who says in the film, “this is a time when we need friends to love and care about this region.” Please check out our website, check out the amazing work that our member organizations are doing every day to conserve this region.