AMC's Maine Partners Gather

AMC Outdoors, December 2004

Greenville, Maine — In early October, more than 60 community leaders, land owners, and local residents gathered with members of AMC’s Board of Directors for a progess report on AMC’s Maine Woods Initiative (MWI).

AMC’s 37,000-acre Katahdin Iron Works (KIW) property is the centerpiece of MWI, a long-term effort designed to integrate habitat protection, outdoor recreation, and sustainable forestry in Maine’s Northern Forest. AMC purchased the KIW property—located east of Moosehead Lake—in December 2003.

AMC speakers provided the group with an update on MWI activities. Among the highlights:

• AMC is cooperating with local snowmobile clubs and the towns of Greenville and Brownville to help organize the upcoming 100-Mile Wilderness Dog Sled Race, which will take place in mid-February.
• A Maine-based crew completed the initial timber harvest on the KIW property; the wood was sold to Maine mills.
• Ongoing cooperative work continues with local snowmobile clubs on trails and public access on the KIW tract.

Members from many of the surrounding towns attended the talk, including Greenville Town Manager John Simko, Brownville Selectman Dennis Green, and Milo Town Manager Jane Jones. Also present were State Senator Paul Davis, Representative Earl Richardson, and members of School Union 60, the Evergreen Enrichment Collaborative, the Natural Resources Education Center, and the Moosehead Riders and Brownville snowmobile clubs. The audience had an opportunity to meet members of AMC’s Board of Directors, who held their annual retreat in Greenville and at AMC’s Little Lyford Pond Camps, located in the heart of the KIW property. Local businesses catered the Board’s gathering. “Everyone was impressed with AMC’s presentation and willingness to hear from community members,” Simko later commented.

- Matt Heid