As paper mills shuttered in north central Maine, conservationists started planning to transform former timberlands into a national park. Philanthropist Roxanne Quimby, inspired by Percival Baxter’s acquisition of timber tracts early in the 20 th century to create Baxter State Park, acquired and donated to the United States in 2016 over 87,500 acres of land. President Obama then used the authority of the Antiquities Act to establish Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, protecting the remarkable flora, fauna, geology, history, night sky, and undeveloped watershed surrounding the East Branch of the Penobscot River adjacent to Baxter State Park. The national monument offers educational, recreational, and inspirational opportunities for enjoying the best of Maine’s North Woods. Learn more about this story, and how you can enjoy the national monument and its new Tekαkαpimək Visitor Contact Station.

Held at Hobbs Library. Registration is required.

About the Presenter: Molly N. Ross

Molly spent 35 years working on law and policy with the National Park Service at the headquarters office in Washington, D.C. One of her focus areas was the President’s use of the Antiquities Act to establish national monuments, including Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and many others. Molly first visited the Katahdin region in 1972 when she and her then boyfriend Peter climbed Katahdin. Molly and Peter now live half the year in Lovell, Maine on Kezar Lake, and half the year in Sacramento, California near the grandkids. Molly has served on the board of the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters since its creation in 2017. Molly and Peter are also enthusiastic supporters of Greater Lovell Land Trust!