Maine partners with Finland to develop sustainable forest bioeconomy
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The state of Maine launched the WoodsWISE Resilience Program to help private woodland owners manage forests for climate benefits.
Because about 94 percent of Maine's forests are privately owned, the state is using these lands to reach carbon goals. The Maine Forest Service created the program to provide financial incentives for landowners who implement specific practices like thinning overcrowded forests, removing invasive species, or clearing diseased trees.
The program uses $9 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and the U.S. Forest Service Landowner Support Program. Participants must own between 10 and 1,000 acres and agree to a 10 year management plan. The state aims to reimburse 60 to 90 percent of the costs for these actions, which can provide up to $20,000 per participant. Since March, more than 150 landowners have joined the initiative.
Maine also established a formal partnership with Finland in 2019 to share strategies for a sustainable bioeconomy. Both regions rely on heavily forested lands as economic cornerstones. Maine is currently using research to convert low value wood into fuel and packing materials. This strategy aims to replace petroleum based construction materials and plastic packaging with wood fiber alternatives. Officials say the collaboration helps Maine adopt proven methods for managing natural resources while supporting domestic manufacturing and jobs.
