Research Programs - Conservation Lands Program
- Future Growth – Aquatic Resources
- Keeping Maine’s Forests
- Alternative Futures
- Vernal Pools
- Land Conservation Retrospective
- Acceptability of Biorefineries
- Land Use in Nairobi National Park
Conservation Lands Program
Leadership
Dr. Rob Lilieholm leads the Conservation Lands Program at CRSF.
Program Overview
Recreation and biodiversity meet in Acadia National Park (Photo by Spencer Meyer)
As of 2010, about 17%, or 3.6 million acres of Maine’s forest is under some form of conservation program. These lands, owned and managed by both private and public organizations, are largely managed for ecosystem services (e.g., recreation, biodiversity, natural resources, clean water, etc.) to provide a host of public values for current and future generations of Mainers.
Challenge
Managing a landscape-level portfolio of conservation lands across diverse owners and political jurisdictions is extremely complex. Though all under some form of conservation, these lands are managed under highly disparate objectives and societal pressures. Many of these lands are located in remote regions of the state, thus limiting their ability to provide many direct public benefits.
Under the leadership of Dr. Rob Lilieholm, the Conservation Lands Program is an applied scientific and outreach effort to better understand, monitor and anticipate important issues regarding Maine’s conservation lands, as well as the public values towards forests and forestry issues in the State.