BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Nature Conservancy in Maine has purchased more than 6,500 acres of diverse forest land, including old growth and sub-Alpine fir forest southwest of Jackman.
The purchase from the Plum Creek Timber Company will allow the Nature Conservancy to expand its existing Leuthold Forest Preserve to more than 16,000 acres.
The property includes remote ponds and nearly 15 miles of streams that provide habitat for Eastern brook trout as well as waterfowl and wading birds.
Tom Rumpf of the Nature Conservancy says it's an important parcel for biological diversity as well as for recreation.
"It will be open for wilderness recreation as well as hunting and fishing," Rumpf says. "There are some ponds on the property which are open for fishing and there is actually a hiking trail on our existing preserve which goes to the top of Number 6 Mountain to an old forest fire tower. So that trail will remain open."
In addition to The Nature Conservancy ownership, the Forest Society of Maine will hold a conservation easement on the property, which is home to the fourth largest, contiguous spruce-fir northern hardwood forest in Maine.