Governor Receives Keeping Maine’s Forests Report
November 5, 2009
AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today received the Keeping Maine’s Forests report from Dr. Bruce Wiersma, former Dean of the University of Maine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture. Dr. Wiersma, as the Chair of the Keeping Maine’s Forests Committee, led the work of a group of 20 representatives of various stakeholders for more than 18 months to produce the report with recommendations on the future of Maine’s forests.
“First and foremost, this report recognizes the importance of the health, vitality and significance of Maine’s forestlands to Maine people and the economy,” said Governor Baldacci. “Maine has benefited in the past from the partnerships of different groups and interests in Maine on this issue, and that work needs to continue. This report emphasizes that building on the progress of the last decade will be essential for keeping the vast Maine Forest and all the activities it sustains.”
The Governor vowed to review the recommendations. A key concept of the findings is that new models for conservation should be explored that build on existing partnerships and trusted conservation and economic development tools that have served us well in the past.
Governor Baldacci said that Maine is well positioned to undertake more concerted efforts to sustain and retain our forestlands. He gave examples of recent efforts at the local level including successful models for “community forests” in places like Grand Lake Stream in Washington County and Amherst in Hancock County. The Millinocket Forest project, funded last week, is another example of community support for sustainable forestlands.
The Governor also said that he is aware of interest at the federal level through Secretary of Agriculture Vilsak and Secretary of Interior Salazar to find new approaches to conservation of forests that respond to the needs of private landowners and state and local partners.
“This report suggests a roadmap for how Maine can effectively respond to this interest at the local, regional, State and national levels in an effective and successful manner,” concluded the Governor.
The report is accessible online at www.crsf.umaine.edu
