Major Conservation Initiative Aims to Protect 78,000 Acres in Western Maine

In a significant move to safeguard the natural beauty and ecological integrity of western Maine, a coalition of conservation organizations has unveiled plans to conserve 78,000 acres in the Magalloway region. This ambitious project, announced on March 18, 2025, aims to maintain public access for recreational activities while protecting vital wildlife habitats and bolstering the regional timber economy. ([rlht.org](https://rlht.org/historic-magalloway-land-conservation-effort-seeks-to-conserve-78000-acres-in-western-maine/?utm_source=openai))

The Magalloway Collaborative, comprising the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Forest Society of Maine, Northeast Wilderness Trust, and The Nature Conservancy, is spearheading this initiative. Their goal is to raise $62 million by May 2026 to fund the project. David Miller, Executive Director of the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, emphasized the project's significance, stating, "We have an incredible opportunity before us with the Magalloway project to conserve 78,000 acres and effectively connect more than 500,000 acres of conserved lands to the east and west." ([rlht.org](https://rlht.org/historic-magalloway-land-conservation-effort-seeks-to-conserve-78000-acres-in-western-maine/?utm_source=openai))

The conservation plan is multifaceted:

• Active Forest Management: Approximately 62,500 acres will continue to support sustainable timber harvesting, ensuring the local economy benefits from ongoing forestry operations.
• Wilderness Preservation: An 11,200-acre area will be designated as a wilderness preserve, enhancing forest and biological diversity within its boundaries.
• Recreational Access: The project will maintain existing public access to lands and waters, supporting activities such as hunting, fishing, and hiking.

This initiative builds upon previous conservation efforts in the Rangeley Lakes region. In 2023, the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust replaced two undersized culverts with open-bottomed bridges on Otter Brook and Sol Brook, reconnecting over seven miles of upstream habitat for native brook trout. These projects are part of a broader strategy to restore and enhance the region's aquatic ecosystems. ([sunjournal.com](https://www.sunjournal.com/2023/10/27/rangeley-lakes-heritage-trust-closes-on-kennebago-woodlands/?utm_source=openai))

The Magalloway project also aligns with recent land acquisitions aimed at preserving critical wildlife habitats. In July 2023, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife purchased over 700 acres east of Dodge Pond in Rangeley. This area includes an active deer wintering habitat and provides public lands for various outdoor recreational activities. ([pressherald.com](https://www.pressherald.com/2023/07/14/department-of-inland-fisheries-and-wildlife-purchases-over-700-acres-in-rangeley-for-a-wildlife-management-area/?utm_source=openai))

The collaborative nature of the Magalloway project underscores a shared commitment to conservation, recreation, and economic sustainability. By connecting over half a million acres of conserved lands, this effort aims to create a contiguous landscape that supports diverse ecosystems and offers enduring benefits to both wildlife and the local community.

As the fundraising campaign progresses, the Magalloway Collaborative invites public support to realize this vision of a protected and thriving Rangeley Lakes ecosystem.