Maine Audubon Receives Sustainable Forestry Grant from the Home Depot Foundation

FALMOUTH, Maine-November 28, 2005

Maine Audubon announced today it received a $25,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation to support community-based sustainable forestry in Maine.

The grant will enable Maine Audubon to create model, wildlife-friendly community forest management plans for forests owned by towns, land trusts or other community groups in Maine.

The management plans will incorporate Maine Audubon's innovative Focus Species Forestry approach to sustainable management, which has been well received in a series of more than 20 workshops presented to landowners, foresters and communities throughout Maine.

EDITORS: If you'd like a great image of a focus species, please e-mail media@maineaudubon.org or call (207) 781-2330, ext. 241.

"The Focus Species Forestry initiative is an important part of Maine Audubon's mission to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat," said Kevin Carley, executive director of Maine Audubon. "With this support from The Home Depot Foundation, we'll be able to help Maine communities manage their forests for economic as well as ecological benefits."

"Our foundation is honored to be able to support this important initiative," said Kelly Caffarelli, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. "Our involvement further underscores our belief in the importance of sound forest management practices."

Many people are unaware that managed forests can provide many benefits, including wildlife habitat, clean water, recreation opportunities and valuable forest products. By focusing on a small group of easy-to-identify but important wildlife species, Focus Species Forestry allows foresters, landowners and others to quickly target their forest management for economic as well and ecological benefit.

A Focus Species Forestry guide was developed by Maine Audubon in partnership with the Maine Forest Service, the Maine Natural Areas Program, the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine and the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine. Copies are available from Maine Audubon.

The Home Depot Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations that are in the business of building better communities. The Home Depot and many of the suppliers who help fill the company’s shelves contribute to The Home Depot Foundation to help fulfill their shared vision of creating stronger, healthier neighborhoods. The Foundation focuses its efforts in the areas of affordable, efficient and healthy housing production and rehabilitation and tree planting to restore urban and rural forests.

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