Forestry

Timber management is a traditional use of the Downeast Lakes Community Forest. It sustains the forest products economy – essential to our community and region.

Managing for wildlife habitat is a primary goal for DLLT. Through our timber management we also seek to maintain and enhance forest health and productivity, while providing the economic and social benefits of a commercial forestry enterprise.

Desired Future Condition

Forest trees are long-lived, and forest management requires long-term planning. The desired future condition is what DLLT would like the forest to look like 50 years or more in the future.

The Desired Future Condition of the Downeast Lakes Community Forest includes a range of plant and wildlife habitats ranging from early-successional stands to extensive, mature forest blocks managed to provide a mosaic of habitats that are connected across the landscape in time and space. Included within this vision are an Ecological Reserve, a Late Successional Forest Management Area, and other special management areas.

Timber Resource Objective

DLLT seeks to:

• manage the lands to produce a sustainable supply of high quality, high value timber;
• maintain and improve the stocking, quality and species composition of regenerated stands;
• use appropriate harvesting techniques, equipment, silvicultural practices and environmental protections to ensure the long-term capacity of forest stands to contribute to forest growth and protect the productivity of forest soils.

DLLT forest management emphasizes the use of techniques that rely on the immense regenerative capacity of the forests of Downeast Maine. We attempt to work with and “read” the forest. Our forest management seeks to mimic the patterns and processes of natural forest development, maturation and succession.

Exemplary management of forests and waters is part of our mission. DLLT manages the Downeast Lakes Community Forest to the highest standards. Third-party certification provides assurance to supporters who may not have opportunity to observe our management practices.

Annual Forest Management Audit
In order to maintain FSC certification, DLLT is audited annually, including review of records and documentation, and field inspection of timber harvests. The Downeast Lakes FSC Audit Summary Reports are available for public review both here and through the FSC website.