Proposed National Park & Preserve Maine Woods A Vision of What Could Be America’s Next Great National Park Maine Woods looking north from Mount Kineo Early in the 20th Century, a group of visionary citizens worked tirelessly to protect will be two contiguous units — a National Park and a National Preserve — Economic Benefits. The proposed Maine Woods National Park & Preserve creation in the tourism sector, coupled with small business development, will at- an awe-inspiring portion of the Maine Coast for the benefit of the American each providing major benefits. will help significantly improve and revitalize the struggling, resource- tract professionals and entrepreneurs who are drawn to a small-town environ- people. The result was Acadia National Park, one of our country’s finest natural dependent economy of northern Maine. Studies have shown that every dollar ment that offers a healthy lifestyle focused on nature and outdoor recreation. treasures. Today, we are the beneficiaries of their efforts and foresight. • National Park. With “National Park” designation, the area will become invested in our National Parks returns ten dollars in economic value to the one of America’s natural crown jewels; prestigious, globally recognized, public. Nationwide, this creates billions of dollars of local economic activity Most of the Region Will Remain Private. Although expansive, a National Maine Woods National Park & Preserve. We now have an opportunity to create and protected much like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. Park & Preserve in northern Maine will leave more than 70 percent of the a magnificent new national park in Maine that will complement Acadia. Maine Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. This “brand” will bring with it Maine Woods unaffected. The vast majority of the region will remain privately Woods National Park & Preserve will protect 3.2 million acres of wildland in the significant economic and social benefits. Jobs for Local Towns. Acadia National Park generates tens of millions of owned and managed. Baxter State Park will remain a state park, independent heart of the largest undeveloped landscape in the eastern U.S., preserve and dollars annually for coastal Maine. Comprehensive studies have concluded and under the control of the Baxter State Park Authority. interpret the area’s rich history and traditions, and offer a wide range of outdoor • National Preserve. “National Preserve” designation provides for that a National Park & Preserve in northern Maine could similarly benefit There are only few special places in America where it is still possible to create recreational activities close to the most densely populated region of the country. additional sporting activities, such as hunting and snowmobiling. the economy there, supporting thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in However, in most aspects, National Preserves resemble National Parks. economic activity at the local and regional levels. magnificent National Parks on a grand scale. The Maine Woods is such a Park Management. The Park & Preserve will be managed by the National Public input will help to set the Preserve’s boundaries and ensure the place. Just as we thank the visionaries who created Acadia National Park, Park Service, an agency with a century of experience in land management, continuation of these important recreational pursuits — as with Alaska’s Gateway communities, such as Millinocket, Greenville, Rockwood, and Patten, future generations will thank you for establishing a Maine Woods National public education, and recreational programs. Similar to Alaska parks, there Denali and other National Preserves. will also see significant benefits from a National Park and National Preserve. Job Park & Preserve. Natural Wonders Rich History Wildland Recreation the greatest population of wild native Endless Opportunities. Maine brook trout in the East. Woods National Park & Preserve will ensure public recreational access Endangered Species Recovery. to more than three million acres of Imperiled plants and animals will have a magnificent wildlands. chance to thrive — including the Atlantic salmon, marten, northern bog lemming, Visitors will be greeted with breathtaking bald eagle, spruce grouse, Bicknell’s vistas, a diversity of wildlife, and a wide thrush, wood turtle, Tomah mayfly, range of recreational opportunities. They small whorled pogonia, and what is will be able to hike and backpack on likely the most abundant Canada lynx wilderness trails; canoe, kayak and raft population in the lower 48 states. rushing rivers; fish for native brook trout in clear, cold streams; hunt for elusive Wildlife Restoration. The Park & North Woods game; swim and boat Preserve will be the best place in the on peaceful lakes and ponds; bicycle eastern U.S. to restore wilderness on networks of recovered forest roads; species, such as the eastern wolf and cross-country ski, snowshoe, and and cougar. Large native predators snowmobile on hundreds of miles of Hiker on Borestone Mountain are vital in maintaining healthy forests “Twilight in the Wilderness” trails in a winter wonderland. Camping on Lobster Lake George Wuerthner and populations of game species. Painting of the Maine Woods by Frederic E. Church (1860) George Wuerthner Family Vacations. Maine Woods A Great American Wildland. Maine It will protect most of the land around Preserving Maine History. For thou- Discovering Maine Traditions. A Park & Consistent Stewardship. A number Guaranteed Access. Generations Climate Change. Huge amounts of National Park & Preserve will offer Woods National Park & Preserve will Moosehead Lake — one of the largest sands of years, Native Americans hunt- Preserve will expand our knowledge of, of Maine Woods attractions already of visitors to the Maine Woods carbon will be secured in the trees and unforgettable and affordable family become one of America’s premier wild- east of the Mississippi — and hun- ed, fished, and found spiritual inspiration and pride in, Maine Woods history and have some level of public or private were allowed recreational access soils of the Park & Preserve, helping to vacations. Special ranger programs will land destinations, protecting immense dreds of other remote lakes, ponds, in the Maine Woods. Forest products culture. Visitor centers will offer historic conservation protection. However, by traditional timberland owners. moderate the climate. The resiliency be available to introduce young people spruce-fir and hardwood forests, and and wetlands. companies produced timber and pa- exhibits, maps, and guidebooks. Rang- most are scattered and many Now, changing ownerships and of protected native ecosystems will to the wonders of the wild. Woodland most of New England’s remaining old- enable them to adapt to climate per. Adventurers such as Henry David ers and guides will offer field trips for are surrounded by lands open to development are eroding that Protected Wildlife Habitats. campgrounds and traditional Maine growth tracts. It will embrace thou- impacts. Native species will be able to Thoreau and Theodore Roosevelt gained those seeking to learn more. You might damaging development. The Park heritage. A Park & Preserve will Habitats will be safeguarded for the sporting camps will provide family sands of miles of clear streams, includ- migrate via connections to wildlands a lifelong commitment to conservation. join a docent or historian at an ancient & Preserve will connect, safeguard, guarantee public access to the Maine full range of native species, such as accommodations in beautiful settings. ing the headwaters of five of Maine’s in Canada to the north and along the Artists captured the region’s natural Native American flint quarry, watch an and ensure public enjoyment of these Woods so that future generations can the black bear, coyote, bobcat, fisher, Outdoor activities will offer healthy major rivers — Allagash, Aroostook, Appalachians to the west and south, as beauty. Guides and sporting camps of- old-time logging demonstration, or re- attractions under consistent National continue to enjoy Maine’s recreational moose, beaver, bald eagle, loon, and recreation for visitors of all ages. Kennebec, Penobscot, and St. John. global climate change shifts habitats. fered a unique backcountry experience. trace Thoreau’s historic route by canoe. Park Service stewardship. traditions. William Sewall, Wilmot Dow, and Bull moose Fall maples and birches Canada lynx Theodore Roosevelt hunting in Maine, 1879 In the Maine Woods magazine, Skiing the quiet backcountry Fly fishing, Big Eddy, W. Br. Penobscot River Hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness George Wuerthner Michael Kellett U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, 1933 George Wuerthner Jym St. Pierre George Wuerthner Choosing the Future of the Maine Woods Traditional Ownership. Henry David Thoreau was so inspired by the wild Choosing a Park & Preserve. The creation of Maine Woods National Park & Maine Woods of the mid-1800s that he envisioned the region as a “national Preserve will halt unsustainable resource exploitation. It will prevent inappropriate preserve.” Instead, most of this once-public land was transferred to a few residential, industrial, and commercial development. It will ensure public access large private owners. Fortunately, though they logged the forests, these tra- so we, and generations to come, can enjoy this beautiful region. ditional landowners avoided major development and allowed