| Maine Woodland Owners, Bangor Daily News March 30 |
Maine Woodland Owners has announced the completion of the largest land donation in the group’s history. Over 2,000 acres of forest located in New Gloucester was received from the Chandler family helping Maine Woodland Owners meet a significant milestone as it now has permanently conserved over 10,000 acres of woodland throughout the state.
Maine Woodland Owners, previously known as Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine or SWOAM, was formed 45 years ago as an educational organization dedicated to providing knowledge and technical support for Maine’s small woodland owners. Its goal is to increase landowner engagement and long-term woodland stewardship to ensure the health of Maine’s forests.
The Chandler family has owned and managed several hundred acres of forestland in New Gloucester since the 18th century. In the past few years it became clear that the family would need to find a permanent owner who would keep the land undeveloped as a working forest. In January 2018 it was revealed that Maine Woodland Owners would be receiving a significant land donation. The final three parcels of the gift were signed over during an informal gathering at the Maine Woodland Owners office in Augusta in late February, making Maine Woodland Owners the town’s largest landowner.
“We’re all in awe of this spectacular gift.” said Maine Woodland Owners Executive Director Tom Doak. Keep reading
