A national land trust has purchased 44,000 acres in northwestern Maine and plans to preserve the land for recreational access and to support local timber harvesting jobs.
The Conservation Fund announced on Friday, November 29 that it had purchased the Hilton Family Forest in northern Maine for $44 million. The property is located along the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway of Route 201 north of Jackman.
Featuring four mountain tops, waterfalls, and frequent moose sightings, the Hilton Family Forest supports the local timber and maple sugar industries. Officials with The Conservation Fund said they will work to continue offering important options on the land for hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, trapping, snowmobile, and ATV trails. The forest includes a segment of Maine’s Interconnected Trail System.
Conserving the forest forever safeguards the headwaters of the South Branch of the Penobscot River. Moreover, the land contains populations of multiple rare plant and animal species, including the Golden eagle and Peregrine falcon.
“This land has long helped sustain the people of Jackman and Moose River and beyond, and it will continue to do so,” said Tom Duffus, The Conservation Fund’s vice president and northeast representative based in Freeport. “The Conservation Fund is in the business of conservation — and we bought this land because we want to ensure it remains a working forest, supporting the local economy and community, all while maintaining the incredible habitats and recreation access that so many people enjoy.”
