Thriving Communities, Healthy Forests Annual Report Fiscal Year 2016 2015

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Thriving Communities, Healthy Forests Annual Report Fiscal Year 2016 2015 – 2016 Board, Staff & Volunteers

Board of Directors Program Committee Staff Peter Bergh, Chair, Portsmouth, NH Advisors Maura Adams, Program Director Norwich, VT Mary McBryde, Vice Chair, Volunteers serving in addition to Board Carrie French, Director of Operations Harold Janeway, Secretary, Webster, NH members. Sarah Humphreys, Columbia, NH Development Coordinator Jim Tibbetts, Treasurer, Steve Barba, Concord, NH Concord, NH Leslie Karasin, Adirondack Project Manager Paul O. Boﬁnger, Emeritus, Keith Bisson, CEI, Brunswick, ME Calais, VT Jessica O’Hare, Program Manager Darby Bradley, Chuck Clusen, Natural Resources Defense John Collins, Jr., Blue Mountain Lake, NY Council, Washington, DC Doreen Oliveira, Director of Philanthropy Dan Corcoran, Millinocket, ME Cecilia Danks, University of Vermont, Dave Redmond, Director of Forest Products Innovations Jerry Delaney, Sr., Saranac, NY Burlington, VT Program Director Elizabeth Ehrenfeld, Falmouth, ME Roger Dziengeleski, Glens Falls, NY Julie Renaud Evans, President Brian Houseal, Westport, NY Kathy Eneguess, Magalloway Consultants, Rob Riley, Vice President for Financing David Marvin, Morrisville, VT Jaffrey, NH Steve Rohde, Rob Riley, President, Canterbury, NH Brad Gentry, Yale School of Environmental Rhonda Shippee, Studies, New Haven, CT Northeast Kingdom Project Manager Keith Ross, Warwick, MA General Composites, Inc., Joe Short, Vice President Gordon Scannell, Pownal, ME Kenda James, Willsboro, NY Kelly Short, Communications Director Steve Wight, Newry, ME Ben Leoni, Curtis Thaxter, Portland, ME Laurel Will, Staff Accountant Grateful thanks to retiring directors: Garrett Martin, Maine Center for Public Policy Michael Wilson, Senior Program Director Studies, Bangor, ME Richard Nichols, Lincoln, MA McDevitt Trucking, John Collins, Jr., Blue Mountain Lake, NY Kevin McDevitt, Manchester, NH New directors for Fiscal Year 2017 Janice St. Onge, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Celina Adams, Kittery, ME Fund, Montpelier, VT Roger Milliken, Portland, ME Ann Ruzow Holland, Willsboro, ME New ofﬁcers for Fiscal Year 2017 Mary McBryde, Chair Brian Houseal, Vice Chair Printed on Astrolite Silk, with special thanks to Monadnock Paper Mills. w The Northern Forest Center WELCOME creates economic opportunity and community vitality from healthy working forests in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.

Jerry Monkman/EcoPhotography Change for the better The Center delivers programs to: Creating jobs, • Catalyze Innovation in the conserving forests, Forest Economy: We create jobs and build local reducing carbon emissions wealth through economic and securing investment opportunities that advance a regional land ethic and sustainable

forest use. Dear Supporters and Friends:

• Develop Vibrant Rural Communities: Inspiration drives change. Every day, we are touched by the We strengthen communities and people, businesses, communities and lands that define the their ability to attract new residents Northern Forest and are driven to find new ways to strengthen our rural communities. Thanks to your support, and entrepreneurs seeking quality dedication, and investment, we are making a difference. of life, community and connection to • Providing Lucy Leriche, Vermont’s commerce secretary, the natural world. Together, we are sowing the seeds of change. Through with a regional context as she guides the state to build on innovation and collaboration, we are catalyzing demand for its history of forestry and agriculture (page 13). • Provide Dynamic Regional a new, modern wood heat economy; transforming wood products companies; creating new community forests; These are just a few of the stories of our collective good Leadership: enhancing the quality of tourism experiences and so much work, which ripples across communities, the region, and We advocate a regional vision for more. We are creating jobs, conserving forests, reducing beyond. thriving communities and healthy carbon emissions and securing significant investment in the Northern Forest. Even as we reflect on the year’s successes, we know that forests and empower local voices to Northern Forest communities face great challenges. We are capitalize on changing trends and Our success is best revealed through the stories of the constantly evolving our programs and strategies to do more, opportunities. people, companies and communities that we serve. We are: and have just launched a new Community Revitalization program that focuses on inspiring people who drive positive www.northernforest.org • Redefining for Luke Muzzy of Greenville, Maine, how change to stay in, move to, or return to the region. It’s a making the Moosehead region a destination for travelers daunting task, but one that—we believe—holds great can positively impact the local economy and the lives of potential. residents (page 5);

• Inspiring Tabitha Bowling and Alyssa May to heat their Together, our track record of success and the magnitude of home in East Burke, Vermont, with local, renewable the region’s challenges propel us forward with even greater wood pellets and to invest in a new pellet mill for the commitment and urgency. Northeast Kingdom (page 7);

• Showing Brendan Prusik how local forest ownership in We thank you for making so much possible and being part New Hampshire can deliver high-quality forest of the effort to create a strong, resilient Northern Forest for stewardship, local control and community benefits, all in future generations. one package (page 9);

• Helping Wayne White lead a major wood products producer in Lowville, New York, to increase efficiency and expand its product line so it can continue providing Mary McBryde, Rob Riley quality jobs (page 11); Chair, Board of Directors President

2 DESTINATION Program Impact by the Numbers TOURISM w Since 2005

4,000 Jobs The Center’s programs have beneﬁted 4,000 jobs in wood products, tourism, and modern wood heat through direct business assistance and skills training initiatives.

254,434 Acres The Center’s programs have helped conserve 254,434 acres of forestland for community beneﬁt through the Community Forest program and forestland purchases ﬁnanced through New Markets Tax Credits.

$177 Million The Center’s programs have helped to secure and leverage $177 million for projects Investment that beneﬁt the region’s communities, the economy and forest stewardship.

2015–2016 2 new Community Forests: Milan, NH and Grand Lake Stream, Maine 7 counties engaged in tourism enhancement programs in Maine 10 new innovation projects begun with wood products manufacturers 29 new wood pellet boilers installed, generating heat and supporting the forest economy 80 organizations engaged in advancing tourism as an economic strategy 130 projects, initiatives and strategic forums the Center is engaged in across the Northern Forest

132 woodworkers and students issued Woodwork Passports 169 partners collaborating on creating forest-based economic opportunity and community vitality

1,600 tons of carbon dioxide avoided by using wood pellets instead of fossil fuels 2,700 people subscribing to the Northern Forest News Digest $17,600 in microgrants to strengthen Maine tourism businesses and job opportunities $687,000 total economic impact of wood pellet boilers installed this year $1.5 Million Center program investment in Northern Forest communities, forests and economic development

$23.3 Million public funding, foundation grants, business investment and organizational resources leveraged by the Center’s program investment Facing Wave/ Kelsey Thompson Kelsey Wave/ Facing D , With your support, the Center is... Improving quality recreation EXVLQHVVHVLQLQWHULRU0DLQHSURYLGH $ tourism opportunities in the region to create better paying jobs in the Tourism TOURISM fast-growing tourism economy. Why tourism matters:

Across Maine Workforce Training in 2015 We’re helping tourism businesses of all types 30,000 $561 spending and sizes improve their customers’ experiences. jobs on recreation The Center coordinates the Maine Woods million Consortium and works closely with leading went up economic development agencies in 7 Maine in earnings 13% counties to offer affordable training in customer

3URJUDP'HOLYHU\ New England Outdoor Center $506 service and management, as well as marketing to to attract visitors. PP 6LQFHEHJLQQLQJRIƓVFDO\HDU million Ř 2016 2015 12 businesses Ř Partnered with in Maine Woods Discovery— Brand Recognition raising the bar for hospitality in the North Woods We’ve helped establish Ř 15 counties Maine Woods Discovery as a Served in Maine, Vermont and New York high-quality travel brand for 80 organizations the Maine Woods, working Engaged through the with a dozen top-notch Ř Mahoosuc Guide Service Maine Woods Consortium to advance lodges and adventure rural destination tourism as an economic strategy leaders, such as the New 155 England Outdoor Center Supported358 businesses with training (above) and Mahoosuc Ř for people in marketing, customer Outdoors (right). service and management $17,600 micro-grants Provided28 in to serve tourism businesses Ř

1,168 business SinceŘ program beginning: supported with training 2,287 people trained

Ř in customer service, marketing Collaboration: We’ve built a shared strategy for advancing destination tourism to support the local economy by engaging more than and management $1.7 million 80 organizations through the Maine Woods Consortium. Many attended the 2016 Destination Tourism Rally (above) in Hermon, Maine. mediaEarned promotion in for tourism businesses and region Inset photo: Facing Wave/ Kelsey Thompson 4 MODERN Putting the Northern Forest on the map Programs build region as destination for travelers W O O D H E A T w

“Moosehead Lake has always been a destination but so far we’ve only scratched the surface. I truly believe that we have the assets—natural and human—to become one of the must-see destinations in the country.”

—Luke Muzzy, Greenville, Maine Senior Land Asset Manager, Weyerhaeuser

If you ask Luke Muzzy why he works so hard to make the 17,000 acres for development and put a conservation easement Moosehead Lake Region a destination for tourists, you’ll hear a on 363,000 acres of forest. story of change. He has always been involved in community issues and serves as Luke was born and raised in Greenville, Maine, and when he president of the Moosehead Lake Region Economic graduated from high school in 1978, the timber industry— Development Corporation. “A defining moment for me was the particularly paper—drove the economy in the Maine Woods. Maine Woods Consortium meeting in 2013,” said Luke. “I Since then many paper companies have closed and communities came away realizing how much work the Moosehead Region, like Greenville have shrunk. Greenville’s population has dropped and—frankly—all of rural Maine, needs to do to become a almost 27 percent since 1970, yet there is a sense of positive destination that would positively impact our economy and the change underway. lives of our residents.”

“The timber industry and tourism have co-existed in the Since then, the Center has worked to help make the Moosehead Moosehead Region for over two centuries,” said Luke. “Both region a true tourism destination, most recently by partnering industries are very important to the area. This relationship has with Luke and others to create the Center’s Tourism Innovation kept the Moosehead Region virtually unchanged and a place Program, which provides matching funds to help local businesses worthy for folks from near and far away to visit.” make crucial improvements.

Luke has made his career in real estate, first as a private broker “We all love our respective regions and sometimes we can get and for the past 12 years as senior land manager for Plum Creek trapped in that geographic silo,” said Luke. “What I love about Timber and now for Weyerhaeuser. Luke managed Plum Creek’s the Northern Forest Center is that it won’t allow silos to exist. Moosehead Lake Region Concept Plan, which slated roughly The Center brings all parts of the state together and makes us realize that we’re all in it together—and they’re right!”

5 With your support, the Center is... , Reducing greenhouse gases by more than half and supporting forest-based jobs by switching $ buildings to renewable wood WOOD PELLET1% pellets for heat. Why modern wood pellet heat matters: If of HEATINGWood pellet the region In the heat results in heated with Northern Forest: 54% wood pellets, $4 less $93 billion greenhouse million gas than oil spent annually a year on oil P 6LQFHEHJLQQLQJRIƓVFDO\HDU would stay P in the local Ř economy Program2016 Delivery: 2015 Ř16 boilers installed in Vermont Local, Renewable Heat Ř boilers 9 The Center wrapped up its project in Farmington and Wilton, Maine, installed in Maine and assisted 16 home and building owners in Vermont’s Northeast Ř boilers 3 Kingdom to install efficient wood pellet boilers. Installations are installed in New Hampshire Ř boiler underway in the Adirondacks and Windham County, Vermont, as well. 1 Homeowners Larry and Kathi Stewart (above) of Lyndonville and Kim installed in New York Butler (left) of Kirby, Vermont, helped publicize the Northeast Ř1,600 tons reduction Kingdom program with tours of their new systems. net carbon dioxide $687,000 economic impact

Ř Collaboration As a complement to demonstration 130 boilers projects and advocacy for supportive Since program beginning: policies, the Center worked with installed Ř pellet and boiler manufacturers, for wood pellet heat non-profits and agencies to develop (since 2012) $4.1 million a shared marketing strategy that Ř promotes wood pellets as a low- contributed to the carbon, local, and renewable region’s economy (from 130 boilers!) $22 million heating choice. economic impact projected over 25-year lifespan of boilers in program 6 Using local fuel to cut carbon, create jobs C O M M U N I T Y Wood pellet boilers replace fossil fuel and boost economy F O R E S T S w

“Switching to wood pellet heat is the single most important thing I can do to reduce my carbon footprint. In a rural area, there is no way to eliminate your car, but you can move away from fossil fuel for heating. I’m really pleased about that.”

—Alyssa May, UCC Minister East Burke, Vermont

After almost 20 years of living in big cities, Tabitha Bowling and “When we were preparing to move here, we committed to work with Alyssa May came home to the Northeast Kingdom. Their son the landscape and try to generate some economic well-being for the Marshall is the eighth generation of the May family to live there. rest of the community,” explained Alyssa, a minister in the United Church of Christ. “Pellet mills mean jobs and that ripples out to guys “I wanted to recalibrate the life-work balance and connect with the in the woods and people making coffee at the local gas station.” outdoors,” said Tabitha. “We both grew up in pastoral environments and wanted to raise Marshall in an environment that had been so The potential of modern wood heat to help the region spoke to good for us. Living in downtown DC wouldn’t afford us that.” Tabitha’s entrepreneurial and business instincts, and she began to research and plan a new pellet mill for the Kingdom. The project, They discovered local renewable heat when a tour of the Burke now known as Kingdom Pellets, is in development. Town School included the boiler room and its four wood pellet boilers, which the Center subsidized. “The value equation is so “The Center has supported and advocated every step of the way for profound—it’s hard to find anything that can compete,” said what we’re trying to do here,” said Tabitha. “Without my Tabitha. “I equate modern wood heat to the clean-up hitter on a connection to the Model Neighborhood Initiative, I would never baseball team, given the impact it can have reducing carbon, and have known about the Gilman site for the mill. From the beginning, what it can do to achieve economic goals locally. It supports the the Center has played a central role, including program support— working landscape. It thins out low-grade wood. It can heat schools, soup to nuts.” homes, commercial buildings. It is scalable in a meaningful way.” “From my perspective as a kid from the Kingdom, I’ve always had a Soon after the tour, Tabitha and Alyssa joined the Center’s Model sense that everybody was in some way connected to the land, even if Neighborhood Project in the Northeast Kingdom. They now heat they had an office job,” said Alyssa. “I hope Marshall feels that their home in East Burke with a modern wood pellet heating system connection too. I want him to look at family land and see we’re and wood pellets sourced from and produced in the Northern Forest. using it for the greater good.” Photo by Cheryl Senter, courtesy of NH Charitable Foundation Photo by Cheryl Senter,

7 With your support, ??? l the Center is... Helping communities purchase and manage forests for economic and $ community beneﬁt and to conserve the forest forever.

WhyC OMMUNITY community forests matter: Permanently EHQHƓWV Recreation & Rural Character Support for Community Forests provide recreational FORESTSLocal conserved ownership, forestry opportunities and permanently protect the forests forested views that define the Northern Forest for landscape. The Cooley-Jericho Community and the recreation, Forest (below) conserves the forested local education ridgeline seen from four New Hampshire and decision towns: Easton, Franconia, Landaff, and making economy Sugar Hill. 3URJUDP'HOLYHU\ and capturing PP 6LQFHEHJLQQLQJRIƓVFDO\HDU carbon Ř Community Income 2016 2015 2 Community Forests In Milan, N.H., residents are using the income from timber harvests on Ř town-owned land to generate funds for purchasing more forestland for established their Community Forest. The Center continues to work with the Milan (Milan, New Hampshire, and Grand Lake Stream, Maine) Ř3 projects Community Forest Committee to help members reach their goal of a 5,000-acre Community Forest that provides timber income, outdoor Community Forest underway 10 communities education, and recreational opportunities for residents. Ř Presentations350 and workshopspeople in to more than 265 acres acquired to establish Milan (NH) Community Forest Ř

9 Community Forests SinceŘ program beginning: created with Center assistance Ř 20 towns NearlyFRPPXQLW\EHQHƓW assisted 35,535 acres Ř conserved for Ř $4 million timber sales Collaboration for More Community Forests In addition to helping establish the Milan Community Forest in New Hampshire and the Grand Lake Stream Community Forest in More than in Net revenue $2 million Maine, the Center launched a joint project with UNH Cooperative Extension and the NH Association of Conservation Commissions (above) to inventory town forests in NH and introduce the Community Forest model to communities across the state. to towns more than

8 Owning forests for community beneﬁt W O O D P R O D U C T Today’s projects beneﬁt future generations I N N O V A T I O N w

“Community Forests are a win for ecology and a win for the economy... Control is local, revenue is local. The community gets the beneﬁts of the forest.”

– Brendan Prusik, Columbia, NH UNH Cooperative Extension, Field Specialist in Natural Resources and Economic Development Photo by Cheryl Senter, courtesy of NH Charitable Foundation Photo by Cheryl Senter,

Brendan Prusik chose a career in forestry because he knew he and learn how a forest ecosystem works. Forest stewardship wanted to be outdoors. He worked for 15 years as a forester for standards are written into the stewardship plan. We can maximize Champion International and 10 years for his brother’s wood timber productivity and other priorities such as wildlife habitat flooring business. and recreation.”

When the “county forester” position opened up for northern New The Center is working with Brendan and other residents of Hampshire, Brendan knew he wanted the job. Officially, he’s a Columbia, N.H., to explore the possibility of creating a University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension field Community Forest in this town of about 760 people near the specialist in natural resources and economic development. Canadian border. Also, Brendan and his Extension service colleagues, the NH Association of Conservation Commissions, “There are so many characteristics about the Community Forest and the Center are working together to inventory town forests and concept that I really like,” said Brendan. “It addresses many of my introduce the concept of Community Forests statewide. concerns about forestry today,” such as loss of forests to development, and the reality that forest ownership is often shorter “A Community Forest in Columbia would protect water quality than a healthy stewardship cycle. “Bringing a management plan and trout streams while maximizing the return from the forest,” through an entire rotation doesn’t often happen, especially with said Brendan. “Bringing those things together is great—and that’s northern hardwoods,” he said. “We are realizing only a fraction of true for other places too.” the true potential of our forests.” “Community Forests will allow continuous quality management so Community Forests are locally controlled, unlike state and federal our kids and grandkids will realize significant sustained cash-flow forests, which can be unreliable in making payments to offset from high quality trees,” said Brendan. “This is compatible with property taxes. “Community Forest projects get a community water quality protection, habitat enhancement, and recreation. In excited about managing the forest,” he said. “They rally around it fact, good sustainable silviculture will enhance all forest uses.”

9 With your support, the Center is... i Sustaining and creating jobs in the wood products industry through $ innovation and workforce training.

WhyWOOD wood product manufacturing matters: PRODUCTSEmploys Wood products, more than IncomeƓQDQFLDO from furniture and 20,000 wood product people markets provides related manufacturing incentive sales in the in the region 4 states to owners to 3URJUDP'HOLYHU\ maintain forests totaled as forests $6.6 PP 6LQFHEHJLQQLQJRIƓVFDO\HDU billion Ř in 2011 2016 2015 9 high schools, colleges tech centers Quality Products, Quality Jobs Ř Engaged and Over the last year, the Center has helped 14 wood products in skills training businesses with innovation and training, including: bowling pin Ř 14 businesses maker QubicaAMF in Lowville, NY (above); Lyndon Furniture in HelpedHDUQLQJLQGXVWU\VNLOOVFHUWLƓFDWLRQ increase innovation and training Lyndon, Vermont (left); and flooring manufacturer Appalachian 132 wood workers students Engineered Flooring (bottom) in North Troy, Vermont. Ř Supported and in The heart of every QubicaAMF bowling pin is solid maple, $267,000 sourced from mills in New York and New England. investmentsLeveraged more than in innovation

Ř Workforce Training Since program beginning: After helping Jennifer Fraser, Spurred$1.9 million more than general manager at Appalachian Ř investmentsin Engineered Flooring in northern innovation Vermont (right), to transform 65 companies company culture and apply lean Assisted to manufacturing principles to the Ř strengthen their businesses workflow, the Center provided through innovation and training assistance for cross-training and wood workers VNLOOVFHUWLƓFDWLRQ270 credentialing the company’s students Helped employees. and achieve industry

10 Helping employers keep jobs in region R E G I O N A L Wood products innovation leads to opportunities for growth L E A D E R S H I P w

“We have employees that have 40-plus years of service. They’ve raised their families on QubicaAMF; some have kids who work here. Any changes we make are done to secure the future of our employees and the plant.”

—Wayne White, Lowville, NY General Manager and Senior Vice President, Pins Division at QubicaAMF

“What I love about our product—bowling pins—is that it’s The second component focuses on engineering innovation that unique,” said Wayne White, general manager and senior vice will help the company identify and test new products and services president of the pins division at QubicaAMF in Lowville, NY. it can offer due to increased production capacity gained through “This is a very fun business to be in.” lean manufacturing. QubicaAMF has tested cutting boards and shooting pins, and is considering providing other wood product Wayne—who has worked for QubicaAMF for 22 years and manufacturers with services such as kiln drying, planing, turning, oversees 85 employees in the pins division—knows how laminating, and more. important the business is as one of the four largest employers in the area. The company is the largest producer of bowling pins in “The Center’s wood products program is helping us expand our the world, but industry changes have posed challenges, and the manufacturing capabilities by networking with other companies number of bowling centers has declined steadily. and building new markets,” said Wayne. Even with these changes, the heart of every QubicaAMF bowling pin remains hard maple, “We have made the product the same way for 40 years, and it’s all sourced from local or New England sawmills. the best in the world,” said Wayne. “We’re not changing that. Our new focus is on being as lean as we can so we can remain “Any changes we make are done to secure the future of our competitive and develop new products.” employees and the plant.” said Wayne. “I think running lean is the only way to run a business. You should always be looking for The Center has twice provided financial support for QubicaAMF ways to do things more efficiently. Lean manufacturing can make to consult with CITEC Business Solutions on innovations. The the employees’ jobs easier, eliminate steps, and make duties less current project has focused on two priorities, the first of which is physically demanding.” staff training to permanently integrate lean manufacturing principles into QubicaAMF, to continuously improve efficiency, “Our employees take great pride in what they put in the box. We reduce expense and increase customer satisfaction. have a very solid workforce that stays at QubicaAMF,” said Wayne. “They’re great workers. Without them we wouldn’t be here today.”

11 With your support, , the Center is... Providing regional leadership on state and $ federal policies and economic strategies and 4 1050 2 million 1 advancing collaborative WhyREGIONAL states, regional communities, leadership matters:residents, shared region projects that deliver beneﬁts to Northern Forest LEADERSHIP communities. $33 5 178,000 billion paper mill forest-based in forest- closures jobs based 2 in years economic in the four activity states P 6LQFHEHJLQQLQJRIƓVFDO\HDU P Symposium Synthesis Ř Participants shared ideas for revitalizing communities and local economies. Program2016 Delivery: 2015 Ř 120 leaders Inspired at the Northern Forest Symposium 200-plus stakeholders Engaged to shape Northern Ř Border$7.5 Regionalmillion Commission investment economic strategy ( annual ) Advocated Ř 4 states for supportive wood heat policies in Represented theWashington, region’s priorities DC to legislative and agency staff in Ř

Since programthousands beginning: Connected leaders of Northern Forest Ř to address shared challenge andIRU&HQWHUSURMHFWVWREHQHƓWUHJLRQ seize common opportunity $3 million funds Ř Secured in public EHQHƓW Collaboration: Community and economic leaders from across the 4 states shared challenges, insights and energy at the Northern $177 Forest Symposium, co-hosted by the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Center. Their million Secured and leveraged input helped shape significant regional initiatives such as the Northern Border Regional Commission’s new strategic plan. to the region’s communities, economy and forest stewardship 12 Looking beyond borders Center’s regional leadership builds cooperation and trust

“One of most important functions the Center serves is ﬁnding common ground among the states in the region. We can be parochial, and it’s important to have a vision out there pushing us to think more regionally.”

– Lucy Leriche, Hardwick, Vermont Vermont Secretary of Commerce and Community Development

Lucy Leriche grew up on a farm in Wolcott, Vermont, where her governor’s designee to the Northern Border Regional Commission, to parents and grandparents had emigrated in 1950 after refrigerators develop a new strategic plan for the regional federal agency. put an end to the family business of ice harvesting on Lake Memphremagog. At age 20, Lucy set out for big cities, adventure and As commerce secretary, Lucy sees the challenges that hinder economic two years of world travel. She came home to finish her bachelor’s and community development, but also the opportunities. “Our degree at Johnson State College, then went to Arizona for her geography creates physical barriers and restricts our ability to master’s degree. “I liked it there, but I decided I really needed to communicate,” she said. “We have cell tower interference. Travel is come back home,” said Lucy. “My family is here, and I missed seeing difficult. We need the water and waste infrastructure to sustain jobs at green. I missed the water. I really missed this place.” an adequate pay level to enable people to stay here.”

Today, Lucy lives on the edge of the Northeast Kingdom, where she “We need to invest in what has served us really well, and make it cycles, cross-country skis and will do just about anything as long as sustainable: agriculture, logging, more use of our forest resources, it’s outdoors. She’s also Secretary of Commerce and Community like wood pellet heating, biomass production, and sustainable Development for Vermont. forestry,” said Lucy. “We have huge untapped capacity for producing maple products. Our low-quality wood market is in “When I came back, there had been a lot of economic growth, but crisis, but we have lots of opportunity to harness Vermont one thing that hadn’t changed is the connectedness of community, innovation and turn crisis into opportunity.” even when the downtowns struggle,” said Lucy. “Vermont has always had a sense of resiliency in the people, and community is a really Through the Border Commission project, Lucy saw how the Center strong part of it. People look out for their neighbors; we understand works across multiple borders and interests. “The Center’s work I value that all our destinies are linked.” most is serving as a connector across the region,” she said. “Our economies don’t function independently; they’re closely tied. There is Over the past year, the Center has been working closely with Lucy, the no sense in limiting our thinking to just our state boundaries.”

13 2015-2016 Programs At a Glance

The Northern Forest Center creates economic opportunity and community vitality from healthy working forests in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.

Public Policy & Modern Wood Products Tourism Community Tax Credit Ways of the Engagement Wood Heat Innovation Forests Financing Woods

Advocating for Catalyzing demand Assisting wood Strengthening the Helping Developing New Providing the Northern Forest for high-efficiency, products outdoor recreation communities create Markets Tax Credit traveling exhibition communities at the modern wood manufacturers to tourism economy to locally-owned and projects to finance Ways of the Woods: state and federal heating systems to implement enhance visitor managed forests multi-million dollar People and the level. The Center reduce heating innovation and experiences and that conserve investments that Land in the brings a unique costs, retain wealth advance worker improve job forestland and can conserve Northern Forest to multi-state locally, reduce training. These opportunities in generate economic working forestland, colleges, museums perspective to the greenhouse gas programs help rural communities. and community increase use of and other public region’s emissions and businesses become Programs are benefits such as renewable energy institutions to help congressional generate positive more competitive, creating quality- timber income, and strengthen the people explore the delegation and economic impact in enabling them to based branding outdoor classrooms wood products history of the agency staff in the region. sustain and create and providing and recreational manufacturing and region. Washington, D.C. to living-wage jobs. training to tourism- opportunities. tourism sectors. help shape public based businesses. policy and secure federal funding for the Northern Forest.

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A and training, Wood took R. oos Ar . R n Products businesses h o Presque Isle J . t Historical Society S and educational partners, and key state and regional engagement. See page 22 for a full list of partner organizations. Katahdin Forest Products Ellis Family Market Katahdin Tourism Partnership Mountain Glory Farms 4 Patten Lumberman’s Museum Pittston Farm Red Moose Inn and Gift Shop Katahdin Valley Motel Canoe New England Outdoor Center the Wild Appalachian Moosehead Mountain Club 8 Ellis Family Market Lake Tax Credit Financing Pine Grove Campground and Cabins Attean The Bridge Restaurant Lake Lodge Allagash Canoe Trips . Appalachian Mountain Club R ot sc b Leisure Life Pinnacle Pursuit Challenge o n West Grand Lake e Northern Penobscot P Region Tech III Tax Credit Financing Tax Credit Concluded Northern Outdoors Feasibility West Grand Lake Reviews Community Forest Flagsta Central Street Laundromat Weatherby’s Lodge Lake Piscataquis County Jandreau’s Gift Shop Economic Development Council Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce Maine Huts & Trails Katahdin General Store Northern Border Moose Prints Gallery orial High Peaks Initiative Regional Commission Ruthie’s Hotel Terrace hool Fixit Farm Economic Development Strategic Plan Adjustment Team West Branch Traders Monadnock Congregational Church Maine Wood Wilderness Edge Campground Potential Columbia Concepts Cousineau Wood Products Community Forest Somerset Economic United Technologies Center Sunrise Northeast 13 Mile Woods Development Corporation Eastern Maine Community College County Kingdom Tourism Community Forest Somerset Career & Invironments Economic Bowley Brook Maple Greater Franklin Technical Center Maine Woods Tourism Rally Council ntain Academy St. Luke's Episcopal Church Development Corporation Pat’s Pizza Wooden Bowls 4 Milan Community Forest Trinity United Methodist Church ds Willard Pines River Valley Chamber ng Apartments of Commerce Perham Chambers Apartments Milbridge Area Mahoosuc Guide Service University of Maine-Farmington Merchants Association Potential Wood Model Neighborhood Project Pellet Mill Maine West Initiative The Hinckley Waldo County Company True North Adventureware Technical Center Northern Forest Bethel Community Forest Rural Destination Area Strategy Regional Symposium Western Maine Economic Maine Wood Heat Policy Development Council iture National Wood Products of Maine KEY Maine Bucket Company Modern Wood Heat Public Policy & Engagement Wood Products Innovation S a c Sebago o

R Lake Participating Company . Northern Border Regional Commission Strategic Plan Education Partner

Lake Tourism Program on Winnipesaukee Maine Woods Discovery Partner Grant Recipient Training Partner Little Harbor Window Company Regional Project Cycle the Adirondacks Route ncil y Northwood Area Community Forest Project Land Management Cooperative 0 50 Tax Credit Financing Ways of the Woods Forest Exhibit Miles

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k R . Other Highlights Investment in northern Maine Photo: Barry Welch, E.W. Littleﬁeld E.W. Welch, Photo: Barry

The Center facilitated tax credit financing for a major investment in Piscataquis County that is funding lodge construction, trail work, fisheries improvement and a new Tourism Investment Program to spur investment in tourism businesses near Moosehead Lake. Above: crews from general contractor E.W. Littlefield & Sons, Inc. of Hartland, Maine, work on the building, with Big Spencer Mountain in the background.

The Center facilitates use of the federal New Markets Tax businesses hire consultants to develop and implement business Program, bringing major sources of capital together with projects innovations ranging from software and facility improvements to that stimulate the region’s economy and generate a variety of new product development. The Plum Creek Foundation has also benefits for the communities of economically stressed counties. provided support for the new program.

In early 2016, the Center facilitated financing for a major investment The Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC) in Piscataquis County that enables the Appalachian Mountain Club and JP Morgan Chase provided capital and tax credit authority for to reconstruct its Medawisla Lodge & Cabins, build new trails, the federal New Markets Tax Credit financing. improve local fisheries and more. In addition, the Center will launch a new tourism investment program in partnership with AMC and “Pairing support for local businesses with AMC’s expansion made others. this investment compelling for MHIC,” said MHIC President and CEO Joseph Flatley. “Our goal is to help create better economic The new Tourism Innovation Program will help tourism providers opportunities for area residents while respecting local priorities. implement innovations that will strengthen their businesses, We are grateful for the chance to work with such outstanding local expand job opportunities and attract visitors to the Maine Woods. partners.” Financial support up to $25,000 each will help qualified

16 Other Highlights Strengthening rural communities

Project culminates Economic Solutions in 55,000-acre The Center has been a key advisor to the proceedings of the federal Economic Community Forest Development Assessment Team, which is Back in 2009, the Center facilitated a tax strategizing economic development credit financing that ensured 22,000 acres of options for Maine communities hit hard forestland would remain intact to continue by mill closures. Between fall 2013 and supporting the economy and communities spring 2016, five mills shut down in in the Downeast Lakes region of Maine. The Maine, costing hundreds of jobs and extensive forest there is the heart of the stressing the entire forest products Matt Erskine, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for region’s outdoor recreation industry. economy. Economic Development (left), and Center President Rob Riley. Seven years later, at the end of the New Markets Tax Credit financing term, two very exciting things happened. In July, the Center authors new regional investment strategy Downeast Lakes Land Trust completed its fee purchase of the property, which it has added for Northern Border Regional Commission to an existing property to create the 55,000- acre Downeast Lakes Community Forest. The Center engaged more than 200 • create or retain 5,000 jobs The land trust owns the forestland on behalf stakeholders across the Northern Forest to • improve the infrastructure of 10,000 of the local communities and is managing it develop a new regional investment households and businesses for the economic and community benefit of strategy for the Northern Border Regional • deliver benefits to 1,000 businesses the region. The state of Maine holds a Commission. The commission—a representing 5,000 employees working forest conservation easement on the partnership between the federal • provide 7,500 workers with skills property. government and the states of Maine, New training Hampshire, New York and Vermont—is • engage 250 communities and 1,000 Also, in March, the town of Grand Lake now investing $6 million a year to leaders in regional leadership, learning Stream received $650,000 generated by the promote economic growth and projects in and/or innovation networks tax credit financing to support future the northern areas of its member states. • leverage NBRC investment by 3-to-1 housing, economic development, and community facilities projects. The strategy will guide the commission’s To develop the plan, Center staff investments, seeking to capitalize on conducted more than 200 interviews and “This entire project has been a big win for the regional assets to increase and retain a comprehensive review of existing town,” said Grand Lake Stream Selectman wealth in the region. High priorities economic development plans and Louis Cataldo. “We look forward to creating include modernizing the region’s strategies across the region and weighed jobs for residents and promoting residential infrastructure, investing in business and local priorities identified by public, development to attract young families to workforce development, and building the private, and not-for-profit stakeholders. move into the town, among other things.” region’s capacity for community economic development. The Center supported the creation of the “We are grateful to CEI Capital commission and annually advocates for Management, the Northern Forest Center, If Congress provides sufficient funding funding to enable the commission to Lyme Timber, and the other partners for through 2021, the commission’s goals are make strategic investments that will help everything they have done to make this all to: revitalize the region’s economy. happen,” Cataldo said.

17 Fiscal Year 2016 Honoring & Thanking Our Donors

Doreen Oliveira§ This recognition list is more than a list of names—it’s a celebration of Gifts from Linda and David Rockwood donors who gave this past fiscal year (May 1, 2015 – April 30, 2016). Individuals Thomas Rumpf and Annee Tara As the Center approaches its 20th year, we are recognizing your Preston and Rebecca Saunders giving, organized by longevity, because you—our donors and funders— 15 – 20 Years Giving Jacquelyn L. Tuxill¥ are amazing! Adirondack Foundation – David and June Vail Evergreen Fund Those who invest in the Center realize that helping people and Ann Fowler Wallace¥ and Brad businesses in rural communities regain their footing takes time, Barbara R. Barnes Wallace dedication, perseverance, a measure of risk, and it takes resources. Sylvia Bates and Tom Masland Neil and Elise Wallace Our donors take a long view and stay committed for the long haul. Emily and Peter Benson Norman L. Webber III ∆ Donald Blackmer Charles Wooster and Susan Kirincich Thank you! Our growing community of supporters makes possible § ¥ Kelly Short and Steve Blackmer the impact and results achieved every year. Your dedication and Darby◊ and Liisa Bradley commitment inspire and instill confidence in people who choose to Craig and Kathleen Byrum 10 – 14 Years Giving become new members. Thomas Christopher Stephen¥ and Gail Barba Please take pride and celebrate with us! Your philanthropic Charles¥ Clusen and Gail Curran Charlotte F. Belser investment has made enormous strides toward keeping forests as John◊ and Ellen Collins Beth and Chris Blair∆ forests and developing vibrant rural communities that will become Jameson & Priscilla French Putnam and Marion Blodgett “home” for future generations. Amy Godine Elizabeth Breunig This list of donors reflects donations received within our last fiscal year Emery Goff Sandal and Paul Cate ¥ (May 1, 2015 – April 30, 2016). Many others have provided gifts over Walter and Ingrid Graff Susan Bacon Clark and Patrick Clark∆ the years and played an important role in the Center’s growth and Elizabeth and Samuel Harding program impact. Thank you—we appreciate every contribution along Walter and Carolyn Hatch Woolsey and Beatrice Conover the way. Ann Ruzow Holland◊ and Martha Raynolds and David Holland Sam Dashevsky We extend special appreciation to Roy and Emily Van Vleck and Alix Hopkins Thomas and Dorcas Deans CherylAnne Williams, loyal and generous supporters whose gifts fell Phil and Audrey Huffman Tim and Midge Eliassen outside the fiscal year. Their longstanding leadership has helped Jennifer Huntington¥ Phyllis T. Gardener launch and sustain Center programs. Harold◊ and Elizabeth Janeway Tom and Maria Gross We wish to recognize all of our generous supporters. Please let us Paul L. King John Hardie know if we have made any errors in compiling this list. Please contact John W. Lanier Elizabeth and Whitney Hatch of the Ayco Charitable Foundation Doreen Oliveira at 603-220-0679, ext. 102, or email her at Jennifer Melville¥ and [email protected], to notify us of any errors. Alexander Abbott Sherry Huber George W. Merck Fund, a fund of Barbara M. Jordan Patience & Tom Chamberlin at Sydney Lea and Robin Barone KEY the New Hampshire Charitable Carola B. Lea Foundation President’s Council members indicated by bold type. These Tina and Rich Levy Wilhelm Merck and Nonie Brady donors have contributed $1,000 or more. Matsinger Fund Roger◊ and Margot Milliken ∆ Evergreen Society: these donors give recurring donations John T. Mudge Dr. Johnes Moore ◊ Peter and Patricia Paine Board member James and Elizabeth Nichols ¥ Richard G. Rockefeller 2000 Former board member Anne Nordstrom and Charitable Remainder Unitrust § William Batesole Staff Evan Schwartz

18 Fiscal Year 2016 Donors

Joseph§ and Liz Short Jocelyn Jerry Stuart and Jean Smith Thomas and Elizabeth Kelsey Fund Peter Stein and Lisa Cashdan Terrance¥ and Christine Large Henry and Freda Swan Ron Lawler and Peggy Merritt Katharine T. Thompson Mary Kerwin and Paul Lepesqueur Richard Verney Anne Lovett and Stephen William and Bonnie Webb Woodsum ◊ David and Cynthia Wood David and Lucy Marvin Timothy and Betsy McKay 5 – 9 Years Giving Annette Merle-Smith Prince/Bergh◊ Family Fund of the Collin Miller New Hampshire Charitable William and Mary Sue Morrill Foundation John and Barbara Matsinger, long-time donors from Danville, Vermont. Richard Nichols◊ Chris and Maren Bicknell Bo Norris and Catherine Houlihan Freeman Thomas and Ruth Earle William and Suzanne Birchard Alexa Pinard and Scott Kirschner Derek M. Beard Stephen J. Ellis John and Pamela Blackford Frederic and Granthia Preston Eleanor Bemis John and Jane Ewing Joseph Brine∆ Robert Riley◊ and Marie Beringer Richard and Georgene Fabian Buck Family Fund of the Maine Tabitha Deans Riley Etienne Boillot through the Peter and Deborah Fauver Community Foundation ◊ Keith Ross Claria Fund Thomas and Emilie Burack Kate Fish Richard Russman Thomas¥ and Alana Both Joan Burchenal James and Nancy Fleming Harriet H. Savage Tabitha Bowling and Alyssa May Peter Carter and Esty and Barbara Foster William and Katherine Schubart Deborah McLane Carter Deborah Brighton Marianne Jorgensen and Ashley C. Short Kenneth Colburn Richard and Mary Burack David Foster Sarah Street § Pamela Coravos and Garrett Stuck Paula and Colin Cabot Carrie L. French ◊ Charitable Fund Jim and Brenda Tibbetts Alan Chesney and Elizabeth Nichols John Fritzinger Peter and Sarah Crow Alec Webb and Megan Camp Ray and Christina Clark Leanne Tigert and Emily Geoghegan Jan Eastman¥ and John Marshall Bob and Binney Wells James Collins & Kristen Laine Michael S. George Elizabeth Ehrenfeld◊ Wyman Family Foundation of the Calvin and Dian Connor Thomas and Joan Graney New Hampshire Charitable Katharine Eneguess¥ and Steven Margaret J. Connors Wayne and Deborah Granquist Foundation Given Daniel and Mary Jo Davis Martin Grohman Mark and Susan Zankel Julie Renaud Evans§ and ∆ Richard and Sheila Davison Pamela Hall Kevin Evans Robin and Douglas Zinchuk Gerald Delaney◊ Jared Hardner Andrew J. Falender and Gerard Guinta and Colleen Delaney Peter and Steﬁ Reed Hastings Jaquelyn A. Lenth Up to 4 Years Giving Jane Diﬂey Craig Heindel and Judith Chaves Frederick and Patrice Ficken Joseph and Katherine Donnery Kathryn Henry and Robert Center Anthony Filauro Anonymous (4) § Paul and Deb Doscher Herr Family Fund of the New Peter Forbes and Helen Whybrow Maura and Brian Adams Hampshire Charitable Celina Adams◊ and Cameron Wake Barbara and David Douglass Allison Grappone Foundaiton Adirondack Foundation – John and Francie Downing Frederic and Jocelyn Greenman Patricia and Robert Hickey Rocky Bog Fund Elaine and Dutch Dresser Thomas W. Haas Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Thomas and Debra Arter Timothy and Mary Ann Driscoll Foundation Dale and Maria Bardo Julia Dundorf Continues on Richard and Elizabeth Hanaway Richard Barringer and Martha Joanne Dwyer next page

19 Fiscal Year 2016 Donors

Peter Higbee Doug Mayer Louise Parsons Pietsch Andrew and Sarah Hoffman The McClelland Family Eli and Samuel Powell Brian◊ and Katherine Houseal Matthew M. McKenna Meredith M. Prime Sarah Humphreys§ David and Wanda McLure Augusta A. Prince John and Maria Hynes Peter and Carolyn Mertz David§ and Marie Redmond∆ William and Mary Janeway Roman and Taunyia Miner Elisabeth and Jeffrey Robinson Bill and Meredith Johnston John Molloy John P. Rogers Cleveland Kapala and Mr. Winship B. Moody, Sr. Sean and Laurel Ross Lucia Kittredge Nancy Roosa and Alex Moot The Ruder Family Foundation Lee and Nancy Keet Luke and Laurie Muzzy Laury Saligman and John McGill Mark and Kathleen Kelley Charlie and Merrie Woodworth Richard and Linda Samson Ted and Carol Kramer Benny and Tammy Nadeau Glenn and Sonnhilde Saunders Susan and Jeff Lathrop Gary Newﬁeld Warren Schomaker Tom Haas of Durham, N.H. Tom and Laurie Leahy Cornelia Nichols Steven J. Shaw Robert and Jane Lewellen Stephen Norton Nancy Sheridan and Louise Taylor Helen and John Kubach Trust, a Ruth and Palmer Lewis L. Douglas and Ellen O'Brien Alexander and Patricia Short∆ Donor Advised Fund of Lilla Family Fund of the New § Renaissance Charitable Jessica O'Hare Charles and Lora Arter Fund, a ◊ Hampshire Charitable Foundation Foundation Joseph Oliveira and Ana Vilas Boas Fund of Stephen and Ann Smith Bill Linney of the New Hampshire Ross and Beverly Whaley David and Barbara O'Neil Ginny and Ronald Litalien Charitable Foundation Henry and Darcy Whittemore Bradley Ray and Rebecca Oreskes Thomas Martin and Linda Weaver Mark Smith Ethan and Anne Winter Lyman Orton and Janice Izzi Sandra Martin Don and Nancy Smith Frederick Wonham Henry and Pauline Parker Catherine May Molly and Daniel Sperduto Peter Breu and Susan Woods John and Alice Pepper Fund Marshall Family Fund of the New Robert M. Spring Richard and Wendy Penley Hampshire Charitable Foundation Wade and Mary Staniar Ben and Barbara Phinney Elizabeth Steele In Kind Bruce R. Stefany Contributions Larry Stiﬂer and Mary McFadden Monadnock Paper Mills The Heritage Society Ed and Fran Sullivan Charitable Foundation Remembering the Center in your estate plan is one way you can support Chris and Wendy Thayer Nathan Wechsler and Company the Center and ensure its continued success. There are simple ways you Kip and Delia Thompson Northeast Charter and Tours can take care of your family and meet your charitable goals. Your legacy David and Elise Tillinghast Orr & Reno Attorneys at Law is our legacy, and we can plan together for the future. Please contact Harriet Todd Doreen Oliveira, director of Philanthropy, to discuss your questions— Janet Topolsky 603-229-0679, ext. 102 or [email protected]. Margaret and Richard Totten KEY Rick Van de Poll President’s Council members indicated by bold type. These Heritage Society Members Peter and Lee Vandermark donors have contributed $1,000 J. Wilcox & Natale Brown Doreen Oliveira Mary and Tim Volk or more. Woolsey & Beatrice Conover Robert Riley and Tabitha Deans Carl Wallman and Sharon Olds ∆ Evergreen Society: these Jennifer Huntington Riley Brian Walsh and Linda Patchett donors give recurring donations ◊ Jan Eastman & John Marshall Richard Rockefeller Hartley D. Webster Charitable Board member ¥ Former board member Genevieve Howe Jacqueline L. Tuxill Fund § Staff

20 Fiscal Year 2016 Donors

Thomas Donnelly Logging Gifts from Vermont Low Income Trust for Grants from In Memoriam Corporations Electricity, Inc. Public Sources The Center acknowledges with Vermont Housing & Conservation Efﬁciency Maine Trust sadness the deaths of the friends 10 Years or More Giving Board of the organization listed below. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Granite Bank Vermont Renewable Fuels, Inc. We will miss their advice, Northeastern States Research friendship and support. Innovative Natural Resource Cooperative Solutions LLC Northern Border Regional The Lyme Timber Company, LP Grants from Commission Lois Alger Foundations U.S. Department of Agriculture – Dennis Delay Up to 9 Years Giving Diane Giffen Anonymous (1) Forest Service Anonymous (1) Leon Gorman Adirondack Foundation – Generous U.S. Department of Agriculture – Altos Marketing Acts Fund Rural Development Jocelyn Jerry Bank of New Hampshire Adirondack Foundation U.S. Economic Development Robert Latshaw Administration E.D. Bessey & Son Bangor Savings Bank Foundation Dr. Johnes Moore Champlain Hardwoods Vermont Clean Energy Art Mudge The Betterment Fund Development Fund Community National Bank Preston “Sandy” Saunders Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation Vermont Working Lands EMD Millipore Gail Scott Benjamin Couch Charitable Trust Enterprise Initiative Eversource Utilities Boquet Foundation Cy Sweet Fletcher, Selser & Devine Cloudsplitter Foundation Jennifer Wierwille Norton Gap Inc. Davis Conservation Foundation Ann Wonham Global Forest Partners, LP The French Foundation Interphase Energy, LLC Jane's Trust Kel Log, Inc.; Michael and Gilbert Verney Foundation Susan Kelley Join the Evergreen Society! High Meadows Fund Maine Energy Systems LLC The Evergreen Society is a committed group of people who provide The Lintilhac Foundation A. Maurais & Son Plumbing & charitable gifts through recurring monthly payments. Membership is Maine Community Foundation Heating growing, and you can be a member too! Maine Timberlands Charitable Trust McDevitt Trucks, Inc. New York Community Trust Northeast Delta Dental Overhills Foundation “We enjoy the convenience of dividing our gift into monthly Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers payments—it works quite well for us. The Center can count on our Association, Inc. Plum Creek Foundation support each month, and we count on our gift helping the Center’s Northland Forest Products Quimby Family Foundation work not miss a beat. We don’t need to remember to write and mail Frank and Brinna Sands Foundation Northway Bank a check. Payments go directly to the Center, our bank provides a Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Passumpsic Savings Bank monthly statement, and we receive one gift receipt at the end of the Stony Point Foundation The Peavey Manufacturing Company, year. It’s a great way to support work that we believe in.” Inc. Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund —Fred and Patrice Ficken, donors Pinetree Power, Inc. U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Brookline, Massachusetts Plum Creek Communities Vermont Community Foundation Polly Mahoney & Kevin Slater with It’s easy to join. Sign up online to make a monthly recurring gift by credit Mahoosuc Guide Service "You Have Our Trust" Fund of the card. Please visit www.northernforest.org, click the Donate button on the Robbins Lumber, Inc. New Hampshire Charitable Foundation home page and choose Evergreen Society Donation. Thank you! Seven Islands Land Company

21 2015 – 2016 Partner Organizations

Adirondack Association of Coastal Enterprises, Inc. Maine Land Trust Network Northern Forest Canoe Trail Tourism & Hospitality Towns & Villages Community Concepts Finance Maine Manufacturing Northern Maine Development Program Adirondack Council Corporation, Inc. Extension Partnership Commission University of Vermont Adirondack Economic Conservation Forestry Maine Office of Tourism Northern Penobscot Tech Rubenstein School of Development Corp. Region III Lincoln, Me Environment and Natural Curran Renewable Energy Maine Tree Foundation Resources Adirondack Foundation Northern Outdoors Dovetail Partners, Inc. Maine Pellet Fuels Association US Endowment for Forestry & Adirondack Landowners Downeast Lakes Land Trust Maine Wood Products Northwoods Stewardship Communities Association Center Eastern Maine Community Association US Forest Service—White Adirondack Local Government College Management Engineering Open Space Institute Mountain National Forest Review Board Efficiency Maine Manomet Center for Oxford County Wellness USDA Rural Development Adirondack North Country Collaborative Efficiency Vermont Conservation Sciences Vermont Clean Energy Association Pellergy Systems Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. M.E. Hews and Company, LLC Development Fund Adirondack Partnership Piscataquis County Economic Empire State Forest Products Massachusetts Forest Alliance Vermont Community Adventure Travel Trade Development Council Association Massachusetts Housing Foundation Association Plum Creek Evoworld Investment Corporation Vermont Department of Agilion Apps Project SHARE Forest SoGlen Group McHugh and Company, Forest, Parks & Recreation Allagash Canoe Trips Inc./James McHugh Rangely Lakes Heritage Trust FourFiveSix Vermont Housing and Androscoggin River Milan (NH) Community Forest Renewable Energy Vermont Conservation Board Watershed Council Graph Genius, Inc. Committee Saint Lawrence County Vermont Land Trust Androscoggin Valley Council Greater Franklin Development Moosehead Lake Region Industrial Development Corporation (ME) Vermont Manufacturing of Governments Economic Development Agency Extension Center Harvard Forest Appalachian Mountain Club Corporation Seven Islands Land Company Vermont Natural Resources Appalachian Trail Conservancy High Meadows Fund Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust Somerset Career and Technical Council Architectural Woodwork High Peaks Initiative New England Outdoor Center Center Skowhegan, ME Vermont State Wood Energy Institute Huber Resources Corporation New England School of Somerset Economic Team ASPEN Institute, Community Innovative Natural Resource Architectural Woodworking Development Council Vermont Sustainable Jobs Strategies Group Solutions New England Wood Pellet Spatial Informatics Group – Fund Attean Lake Lodge Interphase Energy New Hampshire Association of Natural Assets Laboratory Vermont Wood Manufacturers Bangor Savings Bank Island Institute Conservation Commissions St. Johnsbury Academy Association Bethel Area Chamber of J.E. Moran Associates New Hampshire Center for Sunrise County Economic Vermont Wood Pellet Commerce Katahdin Tourism Partnership Public Policy Studies Council Vermont Woodworking School Bethel Area Non-Profit Kingdom Pellets New Hampshire Charitable Sustainable Energy Outreach Vital Communities Collaborative Foundation Network Kingdom Trails Waldo County Technical Biomass Energy Resource New Hampshire Grand Sustainable Timber Center, Waldo, Me Center at VEIC Kennebec Woodland Investment eXchange Partnership New Hampshire Timberland Weatherby’s Lodge Biomass Thermal Energy Owners Association Tarm Biomass Western Foothills Land Trust Council Lamoille North Supervisory Union New Hampshire Wood Energy Thalo Blue Design Western Maine Community Border Development Council The Conservation Fund Action Corporation Lyme Timber Company New York Bioenergy The Lyme Timber Company White Mountains Community BuildingGreen, Inc. Mahoosuc Guide Service Association The Nature Conservancy College Burlington High School Mahoosuc Land Trust New York State Wood Energy Town of Colebrook, NH White River Partnership Butternut Mountain Farm Mahoosuc Pathways Team Town of Columbia, NH Wildlife Conservation Society Maine Audubon Society North Country Listens Canaan (VT) Memorial High Windham Regional Maine Center for Economic Trust for Public Land School Northeast Forests, L.L.C./Steve Commission Policy Bick Tug Hill Commission Canoe the Wild Wood Products Manufacturers Maine Community U32 High School VT Carsey School of Public Policy- Northeast Kingdom Travel and Association Foundation Tourism Association United Technologies Center University of New Woodwork Career Alliance Hampshire Maine Development Northeastern Vermont Bangor, ME Foundation Development Association University of Maine School of Yestermorrow Design/Build Chase New Markets School Corporation Maine Energy Systems Northern Border Regional Forest Resources CEI Capital Management Maine Forest Products Council Commission University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension CITEC Maine Huts & Trails Northern Community Investment Corporation University of Southern Maine

22 Fiscal Year 2016 Financials Statement of Activities Fiscal Year 2016 (May 1, 2015 – April 30, 2016)

Statement for the Northern Forest Center, comparison of Fiscal 2016 to Fiscal 2015. In Fiscal Year 2016, the Center continued to deliver programs across the Northern Forest to Income FY2016 FY2015 foster innovation in the forest economy— through modern wood heating, wood products Individuals 320,835 259,609 manufacturing, experiential tourism and Corporations 169,348 67,350 Community Forests—while also securing Foundations 575,458 620,142 investment in the region and building a regional Public Funding 470,705 710,016 vision. We’re pleased to have added new part time Program Income 612,995 181,162 field staff to help accelerate program delivery in Other 1,472 3,418 the Adirondacks and the Northeast Kingdom, Total Income 2,150,813 1,841,697 while maintaining efficiencies in operations and fundraising. Expenses Program 1,518,370 1,388,034 Our substantial increase in program income and Operating 216,932 216,886 in net assets over last year is due to income Fundraising 186,480 195,738 earned by facilitating a New Markets Tax Credit Total Expense 1,921,782 1,800,658 project in Greenville, Maine. A portion of this income—$225,000—has been set aside to be Net Assets distributed through our Tourism Innovation Program that will spur investment in Greenville Beginning of Year 1,486,838 1,445,800 area tourism services and infrastructure. In End of Year 1,715,869 1,486,839 addition, through the support of generous Change in Net Assets 229,031 41,039 donors, we established a special Program Development and Implementation Fund that has To request a copy of complete audited ﬁnancial statements, please contact Carrie allowed us to test new ideas and strategies French: [email protected] or 603-229-0679, ext. 103. including our new Community Revitalization program. FY2016 Expenses by Area We are pleased to report that the Center is delivering impact beyond our own Modern Wood Heat 22% $1.5 million investment in programs. Center projects have leveraged and secured an additional $23.3 million in public funding, foundation Regional grants, business and organizational investment in Strategy 17% the region. This includes $1.3 million in grants Regional Wood Products 20% the Center helped secure for other organizations participating in collaborative projects.

These successes are only possible due to the Tourism 11% generous individuals, foundations, corporations Resource and agencies that help us raise our entire budget Development 10% every year. We rely on your support, and gratefully acknowledge what we have Community accomplished together. Operations 11% Forests 9%

23 About the Center

Founded in 1997, the Center is a leading voice in rural community economic development and forest stewardship.

Center programs include advancing modern wood heat, catalyzing innovation in wood products, enhancing quality in experiential tourism, supporting community forestry and using the Center’s core capacities to secure jobs, conserve managed forests and leverage investment in the region.

The Center is led by a diverse board of directors representing the four Northern Forest and other New England states, and a professional staff with a main ofﬁce in Concord, New Hampshire, and ﬁeld staff in Milan, New Hampshire; South Portland, Maine; Saranac Lake, New York; and Morgan, Vermont. Jerry Monkman/EcoPhotography Guiding Beliefs The Center embraces and promotes the following beliefs to advance its mission and achieve a widely shared vision for the Northern Forest region. We believe:

• A commitment to treat the land well, • Integrated approaches to economic, honor its many values, and steward community and environmental it for future generations is essential issues are fundamental to bringing to successful long-term community people together, reducing conﬂicts and economic development. and accelerating change.

• Use and conservation of the region’s • Regional cooperation and learning natural resources should directly is vital to addressing systemic rural beneﬁt local communities. challenges.

• Empowered local voices and ideas • Bold vision, leadership and risk- will be the foundation of the taking are needed to capitalize on region’s long-term vitality. emerging opportunities. PO Box 210, Concord, NH 03302-0210

The Northern Forest Center creates economic opportunity and community vitality from healthy working forests in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York

Cover photos by Northern Forest Center staff except as follows: Front cover: Rafting and moose by New England Outdoor Center; children with sap bucket and canoeists ﬁshing by Jerry Monkman/EcoPhotography. Back cover: snowshoeing by Jerry Monkman/EcoPhotography; Milan Community Forest (bottom center) by Cheryl Senter, courtesy of NH Charitable Foundation.