Funding available for western Maine landowners to manage woodlands

Do you own forestland in western Maine? Are you interested in improving fish and wildlife habitat on your land? If so, you may be eligible for funding through the Maine Mountain Collaboration for Fish and Wildlife project to improve fish and wildlife habitat and biodiversity in Western Maine.

This funding is available through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which is a collaboration between Maine Audubon, the American Forest Foundation, the New England Forest Foundation, the Trust for Public Land, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

We are looking for landowners who are interested in signing up for this funding. Eligible landowners will receive funds to help create forest management plans that benefit a wide range of fish and wildlife species in parts of Franklin, Oxford and Somerset counties.

Check out the NRCS signup notice, additional information (including required forest management plan elements), and a map of field offices.

The overall goal of the Maine Mountain Collaboration for Fish and Wildlife is to improve fish and wildlife habitat in the Western Mountains region by creating forest conditions priority birds and other wildlife need and by improving fish and wildlife passage in streams.

If you are interested in seeking funding, you must apply by June 15, 2018.

The first step to applying is to schedule a visit from your local District Forester. We can help you with that. Next, you need to establish your Farm records with your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). After that, you can submit an application to NRCS for funding to create a wildlife-friendly management plan. Your District Forester and NRCS Field Staff can help you with that. All this must be completed by June 15 to be eligible for this round of funding.

Please contact us for more information and assistance at info@mymainewoods.org or 207-781-2330 x219. My Maine Woods is a partnership between the American Forest Foundation and Maine Audubon. Our purpose is to provide landowners with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to take care of their land and the wildlife that inhabit it.