Project to conserve Maine State House backdrop in limbo

AUGUSTA — A project that would preserve the wooded backdrop to the Maine State House has a problem in the Maine State House.

Howard Hill is caught in a political battle: Gov. Paul LePage’s administration says the governor doesn’t want to sell $11.4 million in voter-approved bonds as he tries to gain support for a plan that would increase the amount of timber harvested on state land to pay for energy efficiency programs.

Read More

Hiking in Maine: Central Maine’s conservation land well worth the exploring

Some 36 miles of hiking trails offer myriad opportunities to explore these beautiful preserves, and in celebration of its 25th anniversary last fall, the KLT introduced the “Kennebec Land Trust Hiking Guide.” This attractive new full-color publication features 20 of the trust’s most popular properties and some of its best hiking trails.

“Our growing member base – now over 1,000 individuals – is pretty familiar with our properties, but the public at large is not as aware of what we have here,” said Matt Silverman, conservation assistant with the land trust. “The hiking guide highlights these properties and will help make them more accessible to more people.”

Read More

Friday conference to promote Maine wood products, sustainable forestry

A coalition led by the Kennebec Land Trust has organized a conference Friday focused on sustainable forestry and its role in Maine’s local economies.

The land trust said the conference at the Augusta Civic Center will discuss the economic value of locally made wood products and the regional dynamics of New England’s forestland and forest products economy.

Read More