A cornerstone of the Maine Woods Initiative is the 37,000-acre Katahdin Iron Works tract, purchased by the AMC from International Paper in 2003.
The property serves as an important link in a protected greenbelt AMC envisions from Monson northeast to Baxter State Park. The KIW property includes the headwaters of the West Branch of the Pleasant River, an important natural resource that supports a native brook trout fishery and flows through Gulf Hagas, a National Natural Landmark. Several remote ponds valued for paddling and fly-fishing are part of the property. The parcel buffers 17 miles of the protected Appalachian Trail corridor and Gulf Hagas area, offering additional wildlife and viewshed protection.
AMC has created a 10,000-acre ecological reserve to permanently protect the West Branch watershed, and Special Management Zones that will protect other riparian areas and unique natural areas such as Caribou Bog.
AMC will sustainably manage most of the remaining acreage as working forest, supporting the local economy while protecting the ecological values of the region.
MWI Main | Conservation | Outdoor Recreation | Sustainable Forestry | Community
