Ridge Phase of Bald Mountain Pond - Conserved Forever!

Bald Mountain Pond in Maine.

NPS Photo

On June 27, 2019, the Trust for Public Land conveyed 1,495 acres along the Ridge of Moxie Bald Mountain in Maine to the National Park Service as an addition to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

This is the first phase of an anticipated three phases to permanently conserve Bald Mountain Pond and Moxie Bald Mountain for the benefit of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, for recreationists in the North Maine Woods, and for the rare ecological communities found on this ridge and in these waters. This tract has never been logged and is believed to be the largest uncut “late successional” forest in Central Maine. It is ranked as an area of Statewide Ecological Significance and is home to arctic char, moose, fisher, and black bear. The NPS also acquired a right of way to bring the public in on Weyerhaeuser’s private road system, a very valuable recreational resource in the interior commercial timberland of Maine.

This acquisition was possible thanks to not only Land, and Water Conservation Fund dollars from the Recreational Access account, the tireless efforts of the Trust for Public Land, but also with the generous support of both the National Park Foundation and National Park Trust. Their gifts originated with a bequest from longtime NPS planner John Kauffman, who had a special love for the remote waters and woods of Maine. Mr. Kauffman’s bequest is in honor of his professional mentor, Ben Thompson, the first NPS assistant director for resource planning who made critical contributions to NPS science and resource management programs. This acquisition is even more meaningful as it is a living legacy to two former NPS employees.