6,600 acres sold to The Nature Conservancy|
Staff Report
JACKMAN — The Nature Conservancy in Maine has purchased 6,584 acres of diverse forest land that includes the 3,315-foot-high Number 6 Mountain in northern Somerset County from Plum Creek.
The land, located southwest of Jackman, will become part of the Conservancy’s Leuthold Forest Preserve, expanding the preserve to 16,934 acres and featuring a network of hiking trails. In addition to The Nature Conservancy ownership, the Forest Society of Maine will hold an easement on the property as part of this conservation endeavor.
“We are tremendously excited about this acquisition,” said Michael Tetreault, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Maine. “We will continue working with the Jackman community as it works to position itself as a prime destination for outdoor and wilderness recreation.”
The property includes Hall Pond, Upper Tobey Pond and nearly 15 miles of streams, providing habitat for Eastern brook trout. Its wetlands provide excellent habitat for waterfowl and wading birds. Moreover, the acquisition protects two exemplary forest ecosystems: almost 200 acres of a subalpine fir forest on Number 6 Mountain, and the fourth largest contiguous spruce-fir/northern hardwood forest in Maine at 3,100 acres.
Among the wildlife species that thrive here are pine martens, gray jays, boreal chickadees, Blackburnian warblers and blackpoll warblers.
“Plum Creek has a strong history of conservation, and we recognize the special recreation and ecological values that some of our working forest land offers,” said Scott Henker, vice president of the northern hardwoods region for Plum Creek. “We are pleased that we were able to collaborate with The Nature Conservancy to ensure this Maine land is conserved for future public access and enjoyment.”
Maine’s Jackman region features a strong working forest industry and offers extensive recreational opportunities for hiking, camping, paddling, hunting and fishing at conserved lands, such as Number 5 Bog, Attean Lake, Sandy Stream, Coburn Mountain and the Moose River, a popular canoeing loop.
The Forest Society of Maine was founded 30 years ago around the conservation of Attean Pond and Attean Mountain, making additional conservation in this area particularly meaningful. “We are excited about working with The Nature Conservancy toward further assurance that this area is managed forever for its important natural ecological, recreational, and economic values,” said Alan Hutchison, executive director of the Forest Society of Maine.
The acquisition was made possible by the generosity of Steven C. Leuthold and his family. The family has a strong interest in providing wild places for nature to thrive in perpetuity and for future generations to enjoy.