Securing 44,000 Acres of Forest in Maine

Our Impact Our Projects Securing 44,000 Acres of Forest in Maine

This gem along the Canadian border will continue to be a source of jobs, economic vitality and recreation.

Hilton Family Forest, a breathtaking mountain and forest landscape along the Canadian border in northwestern Maine, is a 44,000-acre gem. Featuring four mountain tops, waterfalls, frequent moose sightings and expansive maple sugarbush and working forest, this land along the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway of Route 201 is located in Maine’s High Peaks Region.

The forest is an economic cornerstone for the community — and so much more. It’s a beloved recreation hub for hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, trapping, snowmobiling and ATV riding, and it includes a segment of Maine’s Interconnected Trail System.

When the forest faced possible conversion, subdivision and development, The Conservation Fund took action to safeguard this extraordinary wildlife habitat and its landscape connectivity, recreation access, and economic benefits. For the duration of our ownership and beyond, our vision is for this forest to sustainably support the local timber and maple sugar industries, with trees providing needed lumber and syrup reaching people’s tables for years to come.

Photo credits: Jerry Monkman

Beyond these important economic benefits, conserving the Hilton Family Forest forever safeguards four high-elevation peaks and the headwaters of the South Branch of the Penobscot River. Moreover, the land contains populations of multiple rare plant and animal species, including the Golden eagle and Peregrine falcon. We also are sensitive to the needs of our neighbors and traditional access.

The Conservation Fund purchased this property to ensure it would continue to do all it does for the community. We are working with the local community and others to shape a permanent conservation solution and funding for this extraordinary forestland.

As we listen closely to those most affected by the property, we aim to develop a plan that honors their connections to the land — preserving the cultural, recreational and economic uses that make it so vital to their lives and sense of stewardship.