The Value of Conservation Lands in Down East Maine
Principal Investigator: Mindy Crandall (School of Forest Resources, UMaine)
Partners: Tora Johnson (UMM), Anica Miller-Rushing (Down East Research and Education Network)
Abstract: Maine’s economic growth has long been reliant on exploitation of our abundant natural resources. Historically, that has meant that much of our economic activity took place in dispersed, rural communities, places where residents and jobs were closely tied to the land base and local land use. As the national and global economy shifts to a service base from a manufacturing and resource base, the fates of small, rural Maine communities are increasingly uncertain. This project will estimate the value of conservation lands in a two-county area of Maine greatly affected by changes in land use between forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, conservation, and tourism. In addition, updated GIS information on current land status and socio-economic characteristics of the region will be compiled and made publicly available. This information, along with the final report estimating both market and non-market values of conservation lands, will empower local leaders in the conservation community and in local planning to make wise decisions and to advocate for a cohesive strategy that will promote holistic development for a region struggling with areas of high unemployment and low incomes. This project harnesses the expertise of two of Maine’s public universities for the needs of local communities. Outreach to local communities will be made possible by drawing on extensive project partner networks. The stakeholder-driven research and outputs will be instrumental in providing timely information to an area that can benefit from cohesive, knowledge-driven economic development.