Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Working Forests for Wildlife and Climate in Western Maine

Project Number: 2786

Year Awarded: Fiscal Year 2024

Lead Partner: New England Forestry Foundation

Maine Counties: Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis 

Project Summary

The working forest project will work with family and non-industrial private forest owners in Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, and Piscataquis Counties in Maine. The project area is located within the Northeast Forests and Waters Critical Conservation Area and is a high priority for conservation management. The project goal is to improve forest productivity and restore and enhance native fish, bird, and wildlife habitats - including for species of global concern - and to increase forest resilience to climate-related changes while increasing climate mitigation.

To accomplish these goals, the New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) will work with sub-partners to recruit project landowners and then apply a conservation forestry approach to their properties that synthesizes NRCS practices with NEFF’s Exemplary Forestry Standards for the Acadian Forest which takes the surrounding landscape into account when recommending forest practices for individual properties. The process integrates guidance developed by our sub-partners, including Maine Audubon Forestry for Maine Birds habitat assessment tool and Beginning With Habitat landscape-level habitat and connectivity tools. 

NEFF will also: 

  • Work with project partners to do targeted outreach and build ongoing professional relationships with historically underserved landowners, as identified by the NRCS 
  • Ensure landowner objectives are aligned with project goals
  • Develop landowner-specific habitat restoration and climate-smart plans that are both landscape-oriented and parcel-specific 
  • Work with the foresters of project landowners to coordinate land management objectives and/or guide landowners on how to hire a professional forester 
  • Work with NRCS and project landowners to implement conservation activities that serve project goals, including land management, land improvement, and restoration practices as defined and supported by the NRCS 
  • Work with the NRCS to assess and review the implementation of practices and assess parcel-specific outcomes in achieving fish, bird, and wildlife habitat, forest productivity, and climate improvements.

Deadlines

RCPP Classic Batching Period Cut Off:           May 3, 2024

Applicable Practices:
 

RCPP_Practices_w-CorePractice_Final.xlsx (21.12 KB)


Act Now Batching Period Cut Off:                  June 28, 2024

Applicable Practices:

(106) Forest Management Plan (CPA)
(165) Design Implementation Activity (DIA)
(223) Forest Management Assessment (CEMA)

Additional Documents