Leavitt Plantation
April 2003

The State of Maine permanently protected the largest contiguous ownership of sustainably managed forest in southern Maine on April 29, 2003, with the help of the Forest Legacy Program. The 8,603-acre Leavitt Plantation Forest covers 20 percent of the town of Parsonsfield, and local residents enthusiastically supported the conservation easement project.

The conservation easement, purchased for $2,750,000 from Renewable Resources LLC, will be held by the Maine Department of Conservation. Many partners were involved to secure the permanent protection of this land. The Forest Legacy Program provided $596,000, the Land for Maine’s Future Program provided $1,165,000, the Maine Department of Conservation provided $67,833, the Maine Outdoor Heritage fund provided $60,000, North American Wetlands Conservation Act provided $50,000, The Nature Conservancy provided $682,331 from a fundraising effort, and the town of Parsonsfield provided $158,786 for the protection of this extraordinary forest.

“You only need to look at the many sources of funding and support to see how important this project is to people,” said Kent Wommack, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Maine chapter. “The property serves as an important economic resource and contributes to the town’s rural character and quality of life. The prospect of fragmenting and developing the Leavitt Plantation was staggering.”

“I’m truly excited that this unique parcel in southern Maine will be permanently protected,” said Governor John Baldacci. “This would not have been possible without the hard work by The Nature Conservancy and the town of Parsonsfield, and the landowner, Renewable Resources. This is another great example of leveraging State Land for Maine’s Future funds with Federal and private funds to make this conservation project a reality.”

“I am very proud to have been a long-term partner in this outstanding project,” said U.S. Senator Susan Collins. “The opportunity to utilize Federal Forest Legacy funds in Maine’s southernmost county is especially unique and will provide extraordinary public benefits for future generations in our State’s fastest growing county.”

Under the terms of the agreement, the easement prevents development and ensures the landowner manages the property sustainably for timber products as well as providing public access for traditional recreational uses. The forest management plan will be reviewed periodically by the Department of Conservation.

“Partnership has been the key to the project,” said Karen Cartonio, Parsonsfield’s First Selectperson. “We were pleased to join with the other partners in this effort to ensure these lands will remain viable timberlands, protect wildlife habitat, and will be open to the public for traditional uses.”