A partnership of four conservation organizations called the Magalloway Collaborative is seeking to conserve 78,000 acres in the Magalloway region of western Maine. The large and multifaceted land-conservation project seeks to maintain existing recreational access (to include hunting, fishing, snowmobiling & boating) to the property’s woods and waters while establishing forested buffers around rivers, lakes, and streams. The project also aims to sustain the regional economy by continuing opportunities for active forest management on 62,500 acres and designate an 11,200-acre wilderness preserve that will enhance forest and biological diversity. 

The Magalloway Collaborative, which comprises the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Forest Society of Maine, Northeast Wilderness Trust, and The Nature Conservancy, aims to raise $62 million to fund the project by May 2026.

The project’s balanced conservation approach was negotiated in partnership with Wagner Forest Management, representing Bayroot LLC, the property owner. Most of the property will continue to be owned by Bayroot and support the regional forest and recreational economy. A new permanent conservation easement held by the Forest Society of Maine will restrict future development, secure substantial forested buffers around streams and lakes, allow the lands to be managed for forest products, and allow public access to hunting, fishing, boating, and other recreational and cultural uses.

Northeast Wilderness Trust will acquire more than 11,000 acres of the property to establish a new wilderness preserve within the headwaters of the Magalloway River and the upland forests of Ledge Ridge and Rump Mountain. This area expands upon adjacent ecological reserves in New Hampshire’s Connecticut Lakes Region.

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust will own and manage over 4,000 acres for recreation and wildlife habitat, including corridors along the Little Magalloway and Magalloway Rivers and a forest tract southeast of Route 16 near Cupsuptic Lake. The area comprises excellent habitat for wildlife, including lynx, black bear, moose, deer, woodcock, and ruffed grouse. 

Biologists and fisheries scientists have identified the Magalloway River as one of the last strongholds in the country for self-sustaining native brook trout populations. The proposed conservation easement offers additional habitat protections with 100-foot, no-cut buffers along high-priority brook trout streams. This will enhance habitat, add critical nutrients, regulate stream temperatures, and maintain and improve water quality.

Boating access to the majority of the lakes and streams across the property will continue, including a put-in on Aziscohos Lake and many opportunities for hand-carry access, including the Magalloway River. Snowmobiling is a very popular winter activity on the property and a series of established trails—including ITS 84, connecting Maine and New Hampshire—will remain open to use. Recreational users will still be able to hire Registered Maine Guides for activities including hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Local businesses, camp owners, and visitors to the region have long appreciated the ability to access such a unique landscape for multiple recreational purposes and are expressing strong support for a conservation outcome that ensures continuation of this access.

For details on the Magalloway Collaborative and to learn how to support the effort, visit magalloway.org.