Historic land conservation effort seeks to conserve 78,000 acres in western Maine

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Four conservation organizations have announced a partnership aimed at permanently conserving 78,000 acres in the Magalloway region of western Maine. The multifaceted land conservation project will maintain existing recreational access to the property’s lands and waters, while establishing forested buffers around rivers, lakes, and streams. Core to the purpose, the project will help sustain the regional economy by continuing opportunities for active forest management on 62,500 acres, and in addition, designate an 11,200-acre wilderness preserve that will enhance forest and biological diversity within its boundaries.

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Forest Society of Maine, Northeast Wilderness Trust and The Nature Conservancy have come together as the Magalloway Collaborative and are seeking to raise $62 million to fund the project by May 2026.

“We have an incredible opportunity before us with the Magalloway project to conserve 78,000 acres and effectively connect more than 500,000 acres of conserved lands to the east and west,” said David Miller, executive director of Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust. “With the support of a community who loves the Rangeley Region, we can take action and protect these globally significant lands and waters for future generations. But we must act now.”

The Magalloway project’s balanced conservation approach was negotiated in partnership with Wagner Forest Management, representing Bayroot, LLC, the property owner. Most of the property — 62,500 acres — will continue to be owned by Bayroot and support the regional forest and recreational economy.

A new permanent conservation easement held by Forest Society of Maine will restrict future development, secure substantial forested buffers around streams and lakes, allow the lands to be managed for forest products, and continue allowing public access for hunting, fishing, boating, and other recreational and cultural uses.

Northeast Wilderness Trust will acquire more than 11,000 acres of the property to establish a new wilderness preserve within the headwaters of the Magalloway River and upland forests of Ledge Ridge and Rump Mountain. This area expands upon adjacent ecological reserves in New Hampshire’s Connecticut Lakes Region.

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust will own and manage more than 4,000 acres for recreation and wildlife habitat, including corridors along the Little Magalloway and Magalloway rivers and a forest tract southeast Cupsuptic Lake.

Fish and wildlife habitat

The Magalloway region is home to world-renowned brook trout fishing, hunting, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. When successful, this conservation project will allow these uses to continue. This potential outcome has been universally appreciated by local hunting and fishing advocates.

“Our members care deeply about the lands, waters, fish and wildlife of the region,” said David Kretzing, president of the Rangeley Region Guides’ and Sportsmen’s Association. “We fully endorse the Magalloway Project and are excited about its contribution to the future of the region, its people and the natural world.”

The area hosts excellent habitat for wildlife including Canada lynx, black bear, moose, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse and more than 20 species of warbler.

Biologists and fisheries scientists have identified the Magalloway River as one of the last strongholds in the country for self-sustaining native brook trout populations. The proposed conservation easement offers additional habitat protections with 100-foot, no-cut buffers along high-priority brook trout streams. This will enhance habitat, add critical nutrients, regulate stream temperatures, and maintain and improve water quality.

“The Magalloway region possesses prime wildlife habitat,” said Judy Camuso, commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “Conserving these lands will safeguard wildlife from increasing environmental threats, connect them to other conserved lands, and allow for sustainable recreation, such as hunting and fishing, to continue.”

Public access

The project includes a wide variety of types of recreational access to the land. Boating access to the majority of the lakes and streams across the property will continue. Snowmobiling is a very popular winter activity on the property, and a series of established trails — including the ITS-84, connecting Maine and New Hampshire — will remain open to use. Recreational users will be able to hire Registered Maine Guides for activities including hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing. Recreational visitation and guiding activities make important contributions to the regional economy.

Local businesses, camp owners and visitors to the region have long appreciated the ability to access such a unique landscape for multiple recreational purposes and are expressing strong support for a conservation outcome that ensures continuation of this access.

“The Magalloway project will be extremely beneficial to the lands and waters of the area and its wildlife, as well as to guides like myself who bring hundreds of clients to Maine’s beautiful world-class rivers, like the Magalloway,” said Registered Maine Guide Vic Medina.

Cultural significance and climate resilience

The partners acknowledge that the Magalloway Lands and Waters are part of the homeland of the Wabanaki Tribal Nations, the People of the Dawnland, and hope the Magalloway project will create opportunities for Wabanaki Peoples to strengthen and re-establish their cultural and spiritual caretaking of this place.

Keeping these 78,000 acres forested and allowing the growth of old forest in a wilderness preserve and in corridors along rivers and streams will also provide an opportunity for increased carbon sequestration and storage. As our climate warms, resilient regions like Magalloway provide a unique haven for certain species. The Magalloway watershed is one of the few remaining in the country capable of supporting self-sustaining native brook trout populations in the face of severe warming.

When completed, the Magalloway Project will connect a total of 500,000 acres of contiguous conserved lands — a historic accomplishment. Conservation of the Magalloway lands will help secure connectivity of wildlife habitat in the Appalachians — a major pathway for movement of species in eastern North America in response to climate change.

Find the original press release here.