On Aug. 25, 2022, the Town of Woodstock took title to what is now the Buck’s Ledge Community Forest in Woodstock. The 646-acre property includes Buck’s Ledge, a striking geological feature beloved by generations of Woodstock residents and admired by visitors.

“The Town of Woodstock’s acquisition of this property from Bayroot, LLC, is a historic achievement for the community,” said Woodstock Conservation Commission member Ed Rosenberg. “Funds were raised in a remarkably short time–just over a year–thanks to a synergy of partnerships including Mahoosuc Land Trust, Northern Forest Center, and Forest Society of Maine, with the leadership of the Woodstock Conservation Commission (WCC).”

From its position in Oxford County, in the western mountains of Maine, Buck’s Ledge Community Forest rises above North Pond and commands expansive views of the Mahoosuc and Presidential Ranges, attracting recreationists, artists, and photographers. More than six miles of trail connect Bucks Ledge with Lapham Ledge and the summit of Moody Mountain, which both provide rewarding overlooks.

“It’s been a real pleasure to work with people from Woodstock over the last two years to put all the pieces in place to create the Community Forest,” said Julie Renaud Evans, program director for the Center. “They’ve wanted to acquire this property for more than 15 years to permanently protect it and ensure it will always remain undeveloped and accessible to residents and visitors.”

Evans helped community members develop their long-term goals for the stewardship of the property. They will manage it for a wide range of community, economic, and environmental benefits, including recreation, education, water and wildlife habitat protection, and carbon storage.

The parcel, well-known for hiking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and other traditional uses, includes rare plants, old growth trees, and nesting habitat for peregrine falcons. The trail network connects to Woodstock Elementary School, providing easy access for students to use the forest as an outdoor classroom.

The community has developed a sustainable timber management program focused on carbon sequestration and long-term growth of sawlogs. “Future harvest revenues can be used for improvements to the community forest such as trail building, habitat improvement, timber stand improvement and other projects,” said Evans. The town plans to use local foresters, loggers, and trucking firms to support the local industry and local jobs. The wood will be sent to regional mills further contributing to Maine’s forest products industry.

The Buck’s Ledge acquisition project inspired deep community engagement, including fundraising by local youth and an art project in which students designed and constructed four unique benches that will be placed along the trail network. Telstar Middle School art students conducted and recorded interviews with diverse individuals relating to Buck’s Ledge.

The Project Agreement between the Town of Woodstock, Land for Maine’s Future, and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, coupled with the conservation easement held by Mahoosuc Land Trust, will conserve the land and permanently protect it from development.

The Community Forest land purchase was more than 50% funded by the Land for Maine’s Future program and was funded in part through the Open Space Institute’s Appalachian Landscapes Protection Fund. Maine Mountain Collaborative funded a portion of the due diligence costs of the project.

The community will celebrate completion of the new Community Forest on Oct. 15, including dedication of a permanent art installation created by Telstar Middle School art students that “welcomes all” to the Buck’s Ledge Community Forest.