Welcome!

The 59^th U.S. National Park could be located in northern Maine, home of the largest undeveloped forest in the Eastern United States!

Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. wants to give an amazing gift to America in the year 2016. This private foundation wants to donate approximately 70,000 acres plus an endowment of $40 million on the 100^th anniversary of the National Park Service to create the Maine Woods National Park.

The problem is many of our elected officials are heeding the call of a small and powerful group fighting to prevent even the study of this generous and public-spirited offer. Politicians are siding with special interests and naysayers, instead of the vast majority of Maine people who want to explore diversifying our economy and protecting a piece of the Maine Woods. False information about the impact a national park will have on the paper-making and forest products industries, resistance to change and fear of a so-called “government takeover” of the woods are being used as excuses to oppose studying the proposed gift.

The Friends of the Maine Woods educates communities about the real economic, environmental and social value of publicly conserved land, urges politicians elected to serve us to do the right thing, and is fighting for the study and creation of the Maine Woods National Park.

A Maine Woods National Park will create jobs, protect the environment and provide opportunities for all people to enjoy Maine’s magnificent forest, and the National Park Service is a group of dedicated Americans who protect and preserve public spaces from privatization and commercial development. There is nothing to fear, and a lot to gain from this amazing gift.

Manufacturing can coexist with a national park that aims to occupy only 1 % of the 17 million acres that make up Maine’s North Woods.

A Maine Woods National Park will allow everyone to enjoy mountains, rivers, ponds and wildlife, not just a select few. All people will have equal opportunity to camp, hike, cross-country ski, fish, or simply enjoy the fresh air and unique plants and animals that make up this diverse and rich ecosystem located between the eastern boundary of Baxter State Park and the East Branch of the Penobscot River.

Moose, Canada lynx, trout, bear and deer plus views of majestic Mt. Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak, will be ours to experience! Mountains, ponds, and four major rivers can be explored by all families, not just those privileged to be land barons.

This proposed gift of privately owned land plus enough money to take care of it for future generations is worth fighting for!

Become a Friend of the Maine Woods Today!