Northern Forest communities offer many perks, including easy access to outdoor recreation. (Ian MacLellan photo)
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Building Strong Rural Communities

We collaborate with communities — bringing leadership, investment, and project management to build local capacity that sustains community pride, purpose and vitality.

We believe vibrant rural communities attract people and businesses that will invest in the future of their community and help steward the forest for future generations.

How We Strengthen Communities

Strengthening Local Capacity

We share bold ideas and hands-on expertise to help communities achieve results.

Recent Highlights

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Building Active Communities

Enjoying the outdoors is a major benefit of living in the Northern Forest. Our partnerships and investments are increasing high-quality recreation opportunities for both residents and visitors.

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Investing in Place

The Center brings a unique blend of investment capital, grant funding and private philanthropy to fuel capital projects and programs that benefit the region.

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Creating Community Forests

Pioneering projects have shown that Community Forests are an excellent strategy for economic and community development, delivering both social and economic benefits.

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Ways We Support Communities

$1,200,000
In grants last fiscal year
$2,100,000
capital investments in residential and commercial property
259,219
acres conserved for community benefit

Attracting and Retaining Residents

The Center has launched an initiative to help communities attract a new generation of residents, retain current residents, and bring back young people who have left.

Sustaining robust populations is essential to maintaining the schools, workforces, civic leadership, and volunteerism that contribute to thriving communities.

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Program Updates

Center Nears Completion of Downtown Redevelopment in Millinocket

New apartments and commercial space on Penobscot Avenue boost housing stock and downtown vitality.

Conserving Tumbledown Dick Mountain

In April 2025, the Center’s Program Director, Julie Renaud Evans, kicked off an eight-month-long public engagement process – in partnership with the Mahoosuc Land Trust – to guide use and management of the Tumbledown Dick Mountain property in Gilead, Maine.

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Center Grants Help Expand Katahdin Region Outdoor Recreation Access

The Center awarded more than $40,000 to 5 organizations in the Katahdin region to support projects that help get more people involved in outdoor recreation.

Sign up for Community Updates

You can receive updates about building active communities, grant opportunities, and our other community program work across the region. Sign up here!