With more than 90 percent of its land area covered by trees, Maine is the most heavily forested state in the country. Those 17 million acres of woodland provide countless benefits to Maine people, generating thousands of jobs and producing some of the nation's cleanest water. The forest is home to thriving populations of fish and wildlife, and host to a wide range of recreational activities. It defines the Maine way of life.
Maine people are keenly interested in the forest. They want to understand how it grows and whether it is well-managed. They are curious about the plants and animals that live there. They want to know whether it can continue to be the economic lifeblood of Maine. Yet too often, they do not have access to accurate, timely and independent information about the forest.
Forests for Maine's Future seeks to be that resource. The project is a collaboration of the Maine Department of Conservation, the University of Maine Center for Research on Sustainable Forests, the Maine TREE Foundation and the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine.
The mission of Forests for Maine's Future is as large as the forest itself. We hope you'll subscribe to Fresh from the Woods, an electronic newsletter that appears twice each month and highlights emerging issues in the forest. And we encourage you to visit forestsformainesfuture.org as it grows into the state's best source for credible, interesting and science-based information about the Maine Woods.
“Forests for Maine’s Future was born out of existing groups voicing similar messages and similar concerns. We want the public to have a greater understanding and appreciation for Maine forests, and to know what goes on in the forests, both ecologically and from a business standpoint. We also want to highlight the work of the people who help manage the forests -- educators, researchers, foresters, loggers and landowners."
Bruce Wiersma, Director
Center for Research on Sustainable Forests