MAGIC Hosts Land for Maine’s Future Discussion on Conservation

MEDWAY -- The Millinocket Area Growth and Investment Council (MAGIC) will host the representatives of the Lands for Maine’s Future (LMF) program on July 8^th in Medway. Area citizens are invited to share ideas and questions on land conservation in the Katahdin Region. Participants will also be asked to share their thoughts and questions on the easement transfer from The Nature Conservancy to the Maine Department of Conservation, supported in part by the Land for Maine’s Future Board.

LMF is holding similar meetings in other towns across Maine with the goal of understanding the desires of the citizens when it comes to land conservation.  “Land conservation can play an important role in the future of the Greater Katahdin Region”, said Tim Glidden, LMF director. “Safeguarding the resources that anchors the twin bases of this region’s economy – forestry and tourism - will be vital.” This is a unique opportunity for the citizens of Maine and the Katahdin region. This easement is the largest the state has been asked to manage and will provide the citizens with access to a huge acreage of productive timberland that will always remain accessible for recreation and sustainable forestry practices.

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“MAGIC is proud to be hosting LMF and providing area citizens the opportunity to be heard on issues that are important to everyone in the region” director Bruce McLean says. “We feel it is also important to recognize that our towns have little developable land. For this reason, it is important to us that the State’s land conservation efforts achieve a good balance of natural resource conservation and economic opportunity.  Such balance allows for development and smart growth for our communities that are in dire need of diversification.”

Area citizens are encouraged to participate at this event, which will be held at the DAV hall in Medway on July 8^th at 6:30pm.  Representatives from the state, The Nature Conservancy and economic development agencies will be attending to participate in the discussions as well. No registration or RSVP necessary. However, seating may be limited.

-- Ken Anderson 06/26/03

Note: Information derived from Bruce McLean, the Executive Director of MAGIC.