Healthy Forests Reserve Program

The Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) is a voluntary program established for the purpose of restoring and enhancing forest ecosystems to:  1) promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species; 2) improve biodiversity; and 3) enhance carbon sequestration.  The HFRP was funded by Congress for the first time in 2006 and Maine has been one of three states nationally to receive funding through this program the last two years. 

In 2007, more than $200,000 funded two contract agreements in Maine.

---------------------------------------------

USDA Contracts Forest Ecosystems Improvement Funds

Through Healthy Forests Reserve Program funding, NRCS completed contract agreements with landowners in Maine to manage nearly 191,000 acres of working forest lands for the benefit of the Canada lynx.   

Based on lynx biology and social structure, lynx require large areas to live. The average home range of a male lynx is approximately 14,000 acres, therefore parcels of 14,000 acres and larger were enrolled in this program.  The NRCS developed two contracts totaling $200,000 with landowners who agreed to develop and implement forest management plans which incorporate management guidelines specifically designed to benefit the endangered Canada lynx.

The two HFRP participants are the Katahdin Forest Management LLC and Elliotsville Plantation, Inc.. All of the lands are in the northwestern part of the state. 

Katahdin Forest Management LLC, part of the Acadian Timber Income Fund, currently owns approximately 310,000 acres of timberlands. Primarily a mixed species natural forest, these timberlands have been actively managed for 100 years  “We will be using the funds we receive to fine tune our management plans to maintain habitat conditions well suited for Canada Lynx," said Marcia McKeague, president of Katahdin Forest Management LLC.  “By incorporating the latest scientific research about the needs of the lynx as well as our own management objectives, we believe will produce a positive outcome both economically and biologically.” 

Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. (EPI) also received funding from HFRP.  EPI is a non-profit foundation established for the acquisition and conservation of land and the preservation of open space for the benefit of the public and for conducting educational and stewardship programs in furtherance of land conservation. EPI currently holds and manages over 74,000 acres of wild lands in the forests of northern and coastal Maine.  “Elliotsville Plantation, Inc., is very pleased to be able to enroll our properties along the East Branch of the Penobscot in the Healthy Forests Reserve Program”, said Bart DeWolf, Science Director for EPI  “Conserving habitat for endangered species such as Canada lynx and other elements of forest biodiversity is close to the heart of what we’re about as a conservation organization.  We look forward to working with NRCS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others in putting together habitat management plans for these lands next to Baxter State Park.”

Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) National Web Site

Maine Healthy Forests Reserve Program

< Back to 2007 Accomplishments