Inside the Magalloway Project: 78,000 Acres of Maine Land and Water
I recently attended a webinar that discussed a new and ongoing conservation collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Forest Society of Maine, and Northeast Wilderness Trust. What drew me to learn more was not only understanding the importance of this area, but also the project's historic size and effort. The Magalloway Project is an effort to conserve some of the most ecologically and environmentally important land in Maine. Not only that, but when conserved, it will then connect roughly 500,000 acres of contiguous conserved land, a historic accomplishment for the region.
The project itself contains 78,000 acres in western Maine's Rangeley region. This includes 170 miles of rivers and streams and over 2,400 acres of wetlands and lakes. If successful, it will permanently protect this area. For us fly anglers in Maine, especially for those of us that love to fish for native/wild brook trout and landlocked salmon, the Magalloway watershed is one of the last water systems in the county that is capable of sustaining these populations of fish with future climate issues in mind. Maine is well regarded as the last stronghold of eastern native brook trout and the Magalloway sits at the center of this.
(A healthy female native brook trout from the Magalloway watershed. Photo: Josh Thelin)
The outdoor recreation aspect of this project runs in parallel with the environmental protection. With this project and its guaranteed public access, these lands and waters will continue to be accessible for hunters, anglers, canoeists, hikers, snowmobilers, birders, and outdoor enthusiasts alike into the future. The Magalloway project will permanently protect a region that is vital to Maine, both environmentally and economically.
(Canoeing on the Magalloway River. Photo: Jerry Monkman)
The Magalloway land and water is a wilderness, when undeveloped as it is, also serves as a large scale Carbon storage. This filtration system helps to alleviate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and aids in climate resiliency. In conjunction with well managed timberland, the Magalloway Project will facilitate the positive natural effects of properly managed and conserved land and water. It will additionally further help Maine to meet its climate action goals.
(Aziscohos Lake. Photo: Jerry Monkman)
The land and water in this 78,000 acre area includes the upper Magalloway River (above and between Aziscohos and Parmachenee Lakes), Little Magalloway River, Parmachenee Lake, Aziscohos Lake, Rump Pond, Lincoln Pond, Deer Mountain, Rump Mountain, Bozebuck Mountain, Big Buck Mountain, and countless small streams and tributaries. The majority of the project (in the lighter green area shown in the picture below) will continue to be privately owned however will be protected by a conservation easement that will be held by the Forest Society of Maine and will prevent future development and secure public access.
How To Get Involved:
Donate - The current $62M goals is well underway and has already surpassed 50% of its funding goal. Help them hit 75% by the end of 2025!
Donation page is HERE
Tell Others - Use the hashtag #conservemagalloway to follow and also help advance this project via social media. You can also download information and tools to help show others the benefit to this project via the press kit.
Press Kit Download HERE
1 comment
Access is walk-in only to the Upper Magalloway, which is a few miles. No camping