Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Lands Project Conserves an Additional 2,783 Acres for Wildlife and Recreation
Contact: Sally Jacobs at sjacobs@maine.edu
ORONO — As a result of their largest combined effort so far, the Orono Land Trust and Bangor Land Trust have conserved 2,738 acres of forests, meadows, wetlands, and lakeshores in the Bangor-Alton area.
This follows the 2001 establishment of the Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Lands Project (Corridor Project) aimed at regional land preservation.
The Orono and Bangor land trusts have accomplished their goals by leading collaborative efforts involving the University of Maine, the University of Maine Foundation, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Forest Society of Maine, and private donors.
This new addition derives from extensive work with landowners and developers to protect and connect key land parcels ranging from 43 to 1,100 acres, while also raising $1.2 million to support this conservation effort. Each parcel has intrinsic habitat and recreation values enhanced by connections to other parcels, providing for larger recreational trail networks and travel corridors for wildlife. This latest addition brings the total conserved acreage in the corridor to 7,508 acres.
Cooperating partners will emphasize the forestry, wildlife, and recreational value of the conserved property through shared management.
“This strategy will contribute to the long-term success of the corridor as a recreational and wildlife asset for people who reside in the Bangor area or visit here,” says Sally Jacobs, Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Conservation Committee spokesperson.
Most of the lands will be working landscapes, which will be open for recreational activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, and trapping. Snowmobiling is permitted in designated areas.
The popular Orono Bog Boardwalk, enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year, and portions of the Caribou Bog Cross Country Ski Trail, are also permanently protected by this conservation effort.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) is recognizing the University of Maine for its involvement in these projects, listing it as the organization’s top university land
conservation partner.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service official Mitch Hartley, who is involved in administering NAWCA grants, says that UMaine is playing a nationally significant role in NAWCA conservation projects.
Jacobs also notes that UMaine and the University of Maine Foundation deserve praise for their foresight in protecting their valuable forests and wetlands for future education and research purposes.“Without the university’s deep commitment and collaborative efforts, this amazing conservation feat could never have occurred,” Jacobs says.
“Thanks are owed to scores of individuals who donated thousands of hours in planning , working with land-owners, writing grant proposals, lending professional skills, and providing funds to complete this ambitious project. Prof. Ray Hintz of the UMaine School of Engineering Technology deserves special recognition for his extraordinary efforts in surveying the Caribou Bog,” Jacobs adds. “We are lucky he isn’t permanently mired up to his neck somewhere out there. This is an unprecedented and noteworthy collaboration with the University of Maine and the Foundation.”
“We are very pleased to be part of this important conservation effort,” says Amos Orcutt, president and CEO of the University of Maine Foundation. “We are grateful to Les and Jo Birmingham of Freeport for their gift of land in the Caribou Bog and for their support of the Foundation deeding the land to the Corridor Project.”
The Birminghams gave the Caribou Bog parcel to the University of Maine Foundation in 2001.
UMaine officials point out the advantages of an expanded conservation area as the university works to fulfill its mission of teaching, research, and outreach.
“We are proud to be part of this nationally significant project,” says Elaine Clark, associate vice president for administration and finance.“ It preserves critical wildlife and migratory bird habitats while allowing the university to continue to use the land for activities related to sustainable forestry, an important area of study.”
Alan Hutchinson is executive director of the Forest Society of Maine, one of the Corridor Project partners and easement holder. He says the project will have a positive impact in several areas.
“Conserving working forests is our business,” Hutchinson says. “This project will provide a continuing supply of forest products, jobs, wildlife habitat, and traditional recreation in our immediate area,”
Hutchinson and others involved in the project emphasize the long-term impact on those whose businesses depend on their customers’ access to the outdoors and on the benefits that derive from being part of a region that celebrates that access.
”This project conserves exceptional habitat values and we are pleased to accept the 1,100 acre addition to our Caribou Bog Wildlife Management Area which will continue to provide opportunities to folks in the Bangor region,” said John Pratte of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
“Developing a recreational resource on this scale will greatly enhance our region’s economic health,” says Lucy Quimby, Bangor Land Trust president.
Photos and a map of the corridor is available upon request.