Conservation Plan
for the
Kezar River, Kezar Lake, and Cold River Watersheds
Strategies for the preservation of that which, if lost can not be replaced
Conservation Plan (See additional links at the bottom of this page for maps)
Focus Species and Conservation Foresty Practices (An associated project with Maine Audubon)
This Conservation Plan strives to protect a wide array of ecological resources and community values in a rapidly growing portion of Western Maine. The Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) has focused its landscape scale conservation efforts on approximately 47,000 acres in the Towns of Lovell, Stoneham and Stow in order to preserve that which, if lost can not be replaced. The area is endowed with large unfragmented forests, rare and exemplary natural communities, high quality wetland and forested wildlife habitats and numerous threatened and endangered species. The region is uniquely positioned between the northern boreal and hardwood forests to our north and the rich floodplain habitats of the Saco River to our south. Our forested habitats are a mixed and narrow band of transition forest between the oak/pine types of southern Maine and the northern forest types to our immediate north. Our wetland and ridgelines serve a vital role in the North Atlantic Migratory Flyway. In addition, the area, especially Kezar Lake is a popular tourist and recreational destination point due to the beauty of its lakes, rivers and inspiring views of the White Mountains. A rich human history of careful stewardship has allowed inhabitants to thrive in natural resource based occupations without detriment to the outstanding ecological systems present.
The GLLT facilitated the development of this watershed Conservation Plan for the Cold River, Kezar River and Kezar Lake watersheds, an area collectively known as the eastern headwaters of the Upper Saco River. The project goal was to identify the ecological systems and cultural values present and potential strategies to protect their current and future functional integrity. Key to the success will be to engage the full range of partners including: Town Officials, Watershed Associations, Conservation Associations, State and Federal Agencies, the General Public and Individuals (yes we all can play a role in this effort). The Plan is intenteded to enjoy broad community support and can be used as a resource to support and guide public and land use decisions for years to come.
We are grateful to the support provided by the Individuals on the Planning Group who put in many hours to develop the plan and to bring their expertise and love of the region to the final Plan. In addition we thank the Maine Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, The US Forest Service, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service for the technical assistance provided to the Planning Group efforts. The project could not have been undertaken if not for the generous support of the following:
The Natural Resources and Conservation Service of the US Department of Agriculture
and
The Sweet Water Trust
Maps
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Focus Species and Conservation Forestry Practices for the Kezar River, Kezar Lake and Cold River Watersheds
Prepared for the Greater Lovell Land Trust by Maine Audubon
This Plan was developed to augment the Conservation Plan to identify habitat needs of focal wildlife species and habitats within the Conservation Plan area. It is based upon the principles of Focus Species Forestry, a guidebook that provides recommendations for traditional timber managsment with conservation wildlife and other components of biological diversity.
This plan was developed to assist the GLLT conservation planning goals by:
Focus Species and Conservsation Forestry (for the full report)
