Overview

The Big Six Forestry Project is a 23,000-acre project located in northern Maine along the Canadian border of Quebec. It resides within the township of Big Six which has more maple sugar taps than any other property in the United States. This area accounts for approximately 23% of maple sugar production in Maine and about 4% of United States maple sugar production. Hunting, fishing, and other non-motorized recreation are permitted on the property.

The project area has been identified as an important wildlife corridor connecting Canada and the United States which will continue to provide critical habitat range for species as they face increasing climactic changes. The Canada lynx, which is federally listed as a threatened species, is found here. Because the project area is part of a larger network of forests, it provides range connectivity to other populations of Canada lynx which will help protect this species. The project is also home to other megafauna including black bears and moose and contains valuable wetlands that form the headwaters of the Saint John River, one of the most remote rivers in the northeastern U.S.

Two rare plant species have been identified on the property—marsh valerian and blue leaf sedge. It also contains extensive mature forest stands of maple trees which have become increasingly scarce.