The South Branch Forest—a diverse 3,586-acre parcel of land in Maine that environmental advocates have called an “ecological gem”—is now permanently protected. And officials say it will boost paddling and hiking opportunities in the region.
The environmental advocacy group the Trust for Public Land (TPL) recently announced the protection of the parcel of land at the headwaters of the Kennebec River watershed. TPL officials said the land was protected through a collaborative effort led by TPL in partnership with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; U.S. Navy; and U.S. Forest Service.
Located minutes from the recreation hub of Rangeley, Maine, the South Branch Forest is a region of undeveloped lakes, ponds and mature tree stands. With healthy populations of moose, deer, waterfowl, and brook trout, the area contains 580 acres of wetlands, 80 acres of lakes, three “Great Ponds,” and a seven mile stretch of the South Branch of the Dead River.
Through protecting the Dead River and maintaining public foot access across the property, the project supports a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, hunting, birding, and fishing. The South Branch Forest also contains seven miles of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which connects Maine to New York by water.
Designated overland trails also will be open to motorized recreation, including a section of the popular Interconnected Trail System for snowmobiles and ATVs, and a gravel access road for motor vehicle access to a set of remote ponds.
The conservation easement is co-held by the U.S. Navy and Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and was secured with contributions from the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, U.S. Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program, and a private landowner whose contributions officials said were essential to the project success and who will retain ownership and use of the land.
TPL officials said the newly conserved South Branch Forest will be managed to support multiple goals including guaranteeing public access for residents and visitors to the region; enhancing experiences along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail; and supporting ‘Maine Won’t Wait,’ the state’s climate action plan, through carbon sequestration, carbon storage, and nurturing a mature forested environment.
Approximately half the area will be newly dedicated to preserving older forests, sensitive habitats, and rare species, while the other half will continue to be sustainably harvested for timber and forest products.
