A statewide non-profit organization that works to support family woodland owners in Maine has received more than 2,000 acres of forest land in New Gloucester, the largest land donation in the group's history. Tom Doak is executive director of Maine Woodland Owners. He says the acres donated by the Chandler family are spread over 15 parcels of varying sizes. He says they will remain undeveloped, and open to the public.
"One of things the family wanted to make sure that we did, and they have done, is sustainably manage it - manage the forest," Doak says, "And so that is something we will continue to do.
Doak says the land will be open to hikers and hunters, but motorized vehicles will not be allowed. He says Maine Woodland Owners has now conserved about 11,000 acres of land in more than 50 communities around the state.
