Approximately 90% of Maine is covered in forestland, making it the most heavily forested state in the nation. Millions of these acres are included in a complex grid of small and large working forest conservation easements. Maine Audubon undertook a detailed assessment of the terms of these easements and conducted an analysis of how well specific habitat features and values representative of overall biodiversity are addressed and treated. We found there is room for improvement in the terms governing how wildlife and habitat are protected and managed, and have developed recommendations for how to better ensure conservation of habitats and biodiversity in future conservation easements. The assessments, analyses, and recommendations were recently published in a report titled Forest Conservation Easements and Wildlife: A Review of Working Forest Conservation Easements, Their Potential for Conserving Wildlife and Habitat, and Recommendations for Improvements. We encourage land trusts, landowners, and state and federal agencies to review the report and consider adopting the recommendations.
More info: print.maineaudubon.org/forestconservationeasementsandwildlife
