The New England Forestry Foundation and Irving Woodlands Maine reached an agreement to protect this valuable land that will help fight climate change
AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine – The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) and Irving Woodlands Maine have signed an agreement to defer timber harvesting in nearly 500 acres of rare, old, natural forest in Aroostook County – safeguarding carbon-rich ecosystems and rare habitat as part of a broader effort to conserve some of Maine’s most valuable forestland.
Under the agreement, NEFF will provide funding to Irving Woodlands Maine in exchange for deferring planned timber harvests while partners work toward a permanent conservation solution for the area. As part of the agreement, NEFF is also providing funds to support practices that will increase future timber production in younger forests, including thinning dense young stands.
The agreement demonstrates a new model for protecting older forests through partnerships between conservation organizations and private landowners, while supporting sustainable timber production elsewhere on the landscape.
The protected area is part of a larger, 4,000-acre region of older forest in the Aroostook Hills, dominated by trees that are at least 150 years old. The older forest is ecologically rich and especially valuable for its ability to capture and store carbon – creating ecosystems that are critical in the fight against climate change.
The newly protected area also features a valuable ecological habitat, including several “heritage trout ponds,” rare ecosystems that support self-sustaining native brook trout populations.
“Irving Woodlands recognizes the unique ecological value of this land and is proud to partner with NEFF to conserve it,” said Ked Coffin, Maine Regional Forester. “This agreement reflects a balanced, practical approach—protecting high-value natural forests while supporting working forests that sustain jobs and communities across the state of Maine.”
Although no timber harvesting has taken place on this land for decades, this 7-year agreement is the first step to protecting it long term.
“These old natural forests are part of a mosaic together with stands managed for timber and high productivity planted forests. With all these different pieces, this forest landscape can provide jobs and economic activity while also conserving biodiversity and addressing climate change. NEFF looks forward to pursuing a permanent conservation arrangement for the late successional and old growth forests with Irving Woodlands to keep this important piece of the mosaic intact,” said Brian Milakovsky, senior forester at NEFF.
This work is supported by a $4.3 million grant from the U.S. Forest Service. The funding is part of a larger effort to protect more than 190,000 acres of older, high-value forests identified in northern Maine in 2024. The program also helps landowners improve forest health and productivity in other areas, supporting both carbon storage and wood production.
About New England Forestry Foundation
Through the application of its core expertise in conserving forestlands and advancing Exemplary Forestry, the New England Forestry Foundation helps the people of New England to sustain their way of life, protect forest wildlife habitat and ecosystem services, and mitigate and adapt to climate change. In partnership with landowners, New England Forestry Foundation has conserved more than 1.2 million acres of forest since its founding in 1944, and owns and manages more than 150 Community Forests across the region. For more information, visit www.newenglandforestry.org.
About Irving Woodlands Maine
Irving Woodlands, LLC manages approximately 1.28 million acres of forestland in Maine, producing a sustainable wood supply while supporting local communities and the forest economy. The company plants millions of trees each year and has planted more than 93 million in the state since 1947.
Guided by science-based forestry practices, Irving Woodlands is committed to long-term stewardship of the forest—growing more wood than it harvests, conserving wildlife habitat and natural values, and maintaining healthy, resilient forests for future generations. Its operations align with Maine’s Outcome Based Forestry framework and are independently certified to Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) and Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) standards. For more information, visit www.irvingwoodlands.com.