Forest Society of Maine

08/21/2026

August is National Make-a-Will Month. It’s the perfect time to plan for the people and causes you care about most. Creating or updating your will helps protect your loved ones and lets you leave a legacy with the causes you champion.

According to a recent study, while 64% of Americans recognize the importance of creating a will, fewer than 32% have one.

The conservation projects we complete and the easement stewardship we undertake helps keep Maine’s forests as forests. FSM recognizes their importance in mitigating climate change, sustaining Maine’s economy, and their value to make lasting memories.

FSM is grateful to have many loyal supporters, and dozens have taken the additional generous step of endowing their annual FSM support in their will. We hope that when you develop a plan that lets you provide for your loved ones, you consider including FSM.

If you are interested in learning more or taking the first step, email us at [email protected].

08/19/2026

As we reach the end of summer, the air gets cooler on the lakes and the mornings get mistier, but the loons will stick around until around September. For more than 40 years, Maine Audubon has held a volunteer-run loon count to monitor loons in Maine. While results will not be out until later this year for the 2026 count, FSM waves goodbye to the birds Mainers love seeing upta camp!

Find out more about Maine Audubon’s loon count on their website.

08/13/2026

FSM doesn’t know the secret to happiness, but we’re pretty sure it involves time spent in Maine’s forests. 🌲

Forest Society of Maine conserves Maine’s forests to sustain their ecological, economic, cultural, and recreational values. Conserving forestlands in Maine ensures that they can continue to be enjoyed by all for generations to come.

Follow along if you want to learn more about our conservation efforts in Maine.

08/05/2026

Summer stewardship season is busy as usual for FSM staff. Here are some of the great snapshots our forestland stewards got out in the field the last few weeks!

Have you made it out in the woods much this summer? Share your favorite outing with us in the comments!

07/27/2026

There are still places where mighty rivers run cold and clear, ancient mountains rise from the valley floor, forests stretch as far as the eye can see, wildlife moves freely, and people find a connection to something truly wild.

The Magalloway region is one of those places—and now, thanks to you, it is conserved for future generations. 🌲🙌

Together, we’ve conserved more than 78,000 acres in western Maine and connected more than half a million acres, creating a conserved, connected landscape across the Maine–New Hampshire border. In doing so, we’ve safeguarded clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, sustainable working forests, public access, and a landscape that will continue to benefit people and nature for generations to come.

This historic achievement would not have been possible without the generosity of hundreds of supporters and the extraordinary partnership of The Magalloway Collaborative partners, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Forest Society of Maine, Northeast Wilderness Trust, and The Nature Conservancy in Maine.

This is a story of what can happen when people come together around a shared vision. We invite you to take a moment to watch this celebration video and share this milestone with your family and friends.

Thank you for helping make conservation history. 🌎💧💚

07/24/2026

Last week, FSM staff attended The Nature Conservancy's opening of the Pockwockamus Trail with accessible features in Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area. The trail is a three-quarter-mile loop, and is designed for families and people across the mobility spectrum.

Located just south of Baxter State Park, the area has long been recognized for its remote ponds, recreational opportunities, and ecological importance. Much of the trail is within Forest Society of Maine's easement held on the property. A monitoring trip just before the trail opening resulted in some great views by our land stewards.

We hope you get the chance to try out the trail!

07/19/2026

📢🌲Great news! 🎉 Nearly 1,000 acres are now permanently conserved in Milford and Greenfield, Maine! Wells Forest abuts Sunkhaze National Wildlife Refuge and adds to a corridor of more than 40,000 acres of conserved lands from Milford to Amherst (northeast of Bangor).

Sunkhaze Stream runs through the property, creating wet meadows, small gorges, and excellent habitat for brook trout, inland waterfowl, and many other species. The forest will continue to be managed sustainably by the landowner, Bryan Wells.

Also adjacent to the easement is Bryan's dark sky observatory where he photographs distant galaxies and nebulae.

In a recent article with Bangor Daily News, Bryan said: “The goal is always to keep forests intact and from being fragmented, to protect them from development and to prevent sprawl,” he said. “It also has the added bonus of protecting the dark skies we have in Maine, which helps everyone — including wildlife. And, well, it’s great for astrophotography too, though that’s just a nice bonus for me personally.”

A tremendous thank you to everyone who helped make this project a success, including the Land for Maine's Future program.

Read more about the landowner's history with the land here: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/03/26/bangor/bangor-culture/astrophotography-maine-forest-legacy/ or on Bryan's website: https://wellsforest.com/

Photos by Bryan and Pamela Wells.

07/15/2026

07/08/2026

Did you know that Maine is home to the largest lynx population in the lower 48? Lynx are most commonly found in the northern and western parts of the state, in areas with young coniferous forests.

Check out this great footage FSM got of a Lynx passing by on our game camera at our Nickerson Tree Farm property in May! Our game cameras give us a glimpse of the wildlife that use these lands for habitat and hunting.

What wildlife have you spotted on your adventures lately?

07/01/2026

FSM forestland stewards are out today in the heat, monitoring FSM easement lands to ensure they can remain to be enjoyed. Get outside, unplug, and stay cool! Keep in mind, it will be HOT! ☀️ If you're taking extra time this weekend to go out and explore Maine's forests and Trails, FSM hopes you'll stay safe out there. Here are some tips:

🌊Stay cool and stay hydrated - bring more water than you think you'll need.
🌅Plan hikes or paddles in the morning when temperatures are cooler
🎩Wear hats, breathable clothing, and don't forget your sunscreen
🌳Take breaks in the shade of the trees and know your limits
🚶Leave no trace - help keep these forests and trails clean and healthy for wildlife and future hikers.

📍Boundary Headwaters