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Stories in Maine

Safeguarding Shelter for Wildlife and People

TNC is using science to identify and conserve habitats that can withstand climate impacts.

A vast green forest leads to tree-covered mountains in the distance.
© ©Jerry and Marcy Monkman/EcoPhotography

Maine is 89% forest—the most forested state in the nation. That means we offer critical habitat for wildlife, including the many plant and animal species whose populations are moving in response to climate change. Each decade, species are shifting their ranges an average of 11 miles north and 36 feet in elevation; this trend is expected to accelerate, with dire consequences. Many plant and animal species will have difficulty moving away from growing climate threats to find new places to call home.

TNC is leveraging groundbreaking science to respond. We’re identifying a network of unique locations that can withstand climate impacts, including vitally important Maine forests. This scientific learning drives our conservation planning and is a key strategy in our work to address climate change.

What We’re Doing in Maine's Forests

Our forests are an incredible natural climate solution. In addition to providing our clean water, hosting our recreation and powering our economy with wood products, they capture more than three million metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere each year. TNC’s Maine chapter is working to keep our forests as forests.

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What Forest Success Looks Like

TNC is identifying a network of unique locations that can withstand climate impacts, including vitally important Maine forests. This is a key strategy in our work to address climate change. As part of our Join Maine campaign, we are working to ensure these critical successes by 2024:

  • Blue icon depicting a collection of trees.

    More than 350,000

    acres of resilient and connected forest lands are permanently conserved.

  • Blue icon depicting trees and rolling hills.

    At Least 2

    additional ecological priority forest areas are conserved at an effective scale—at least 25,000 acres.

Young green trees crowd out the sky on a hillside.
Making Room Large forest reserves like the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area offer species places to move in the face of climate change. © Phoebe Parker / TNC