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BRIDGTON — The management goals for the developing Raymond Community forest will focus on habitat and recreation, with no forest management in the first 10 years, Loon Echo Land Trust officials have agreed. A tentative management plan was recently discussed as part of the planning for the state’s newest community forest, the trust said in a news release.
Jon Evans, the land trust’s stewardship manager, biologist Paul Miller and Jeremy Stultz of Integrated Forest Management, met May 16 to discuss the draft management plan, which is a required part of the forest’s funding from Land for Maine’s Future, which helped pay for a portion of the 356-acre preserve.
With the recent forest cutting by the previous owner, Hancock Land Company, no forest management will occur during the 10 year life of the plan Loon Echo is developing, the news release said. Loon Echo’s management goals for Raymond Community Forest include habitat, recreation and timber management, Evans said in the release. The emphasis of the timber management portion of the plan focuses on wildlife habitat, and diversity of species and age classes.
Long-term plan focuses on developing old growth forest on a portion of the preserve. Visual impact on the Pismire Bluff is also included in the plan. The overall management plan for the 356-acre parcel calls for free public access for non-motorized recreation, including walking, hiking, bird watching, hunting and general enjoyment.
Loon Echo has already opened up the forest with three new trails, including a trail to the Pismire Bluff. A parking area on Conesca Road in Raymond was developed late in 2016 for the public to access the area.
Miller is developing interpretive educational signs along one of the newly constructed trails.
Loon Echo Land Trust, a membership-supported organization, protects nearly 6,700 acres of land and manages 31 miles of multi-use trails in the northern Sebago Lake region. Its mission is to work with the local residents to conserve the region’s natural resources and character for current and future generations. For information visit www.lelt.org or call 647-4352.
