What is the Wabassus Improved Forest Management Project?

The project protects and sustainably manages 6,144 acres of forestland in Washington County, Maine through improved forest management practices that increase carbon storage and support biodiversity.

How does the project reduce climate impact?

The project increases carbon sequestration by allowing trees to grow longer, enhancing above- and below-ground carbon storage while reducing intensive timber harvesting.

What is Focus Species Forestry?

Focus Species Forestry is a biodiversity-focused management approach that uses key plant and animal species to guide forest management decisions and improve ecosystem health.

What types of forests are protected?

The project protects diverse forest ecosystems including spruce-fir, hemlock, northern hardwood, and cedar forest stands.

How does the project support water quality?

Sustainable forestry practices help protect watershed health, maintain clean water resources, and improve ecosystem resilience against climate change impacts.

How is the project funded?

Carbon credit revenue provides essential funding for long-term forest stewardship, conservation monitoring, and sustainable management activities.

Wabassus Improved Forest Management Project

About This Project

Protects 6,144 acres of diverse forestland in Washington County, Maine, within the Downeast Lakes Land Trust’s Farm Cove Community Forest—safeguarding a rich mix of coniferous and hardwood ecosystems.
Transitions land from extractive use to long-term conservation, shifting away from historic intensive timber harvesting toward a model that prioritizes carbon storage, water quality protection, and resilient forest ecosystems.
Increases carbon sequestration through improved forest management (IFM) by allowing trees to grow longer, enhancing above- and below-ground carbon stocks while maintaining a healthy, productive forest.
Implements “Focus Species Forestry” to support biodiversity, using key plant and animal species to guide management decisions that benefit entire ecosystems and protect critical wildlife habitat.
Maintains high environmental standards with FSC certification, ensuring responsible forestry practices across a range of forest types, including spruce-fir, hemlock, northern hardwood, and cedar stands.
Protects clean water and strengthens ecosystem resilience, supporting watershed health and reducing the impacts of climate change on forest systems.
Relies on carbon credit revenue to sustain conservation efforts, providing essential funding for long-term stewardship, monitoring, and responsible forest management.

Sustainability Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, are a set of 17 interconnected goals established by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. The SDGs build upon the earlier Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but are broader in scope, encompassing a wide range of economic, social, and environmental issues. They provide a comprehensive framework for addressing global challenges and achieving a more sustainable and equitable world. This project has the following sustainability development goals that are displayed.

To learn more about all SDGs, please click here.