Maine Woods Initiative

The Maine Woods Initiative (MWI) is AMC’s multi-use recreation and land conservation project in the famed 100-Mile Wilderness. It’s an area at the heart of the largest contiguous expanse of undeveloped forest in the eastern United States. Since 2003, we’ve permanently protected more than 114,000 acres of this critical environment, with more on the way.

MWI uses an innovative and thoughtful approach to conservation that combines outdoor recreation, resource protection, responsible forestry, education, research, climate change mitigation, and community partnerships to permanently protect this incredible landscape for future generations. AMC has:

• Created 130 miles of recreational trails and three off-grid lodges
• Established a Forest Stewardship Council® FSC® - C008922 certified responsible forestry operation
• Received certification as an International Dark Sky Park, the first in New England
• Restored watersheds for native brook trout and endangered Atlantic salmon
• Developed partnerships with local Piscataquis County schools and the greater business community.
• Collected climate and ecosystem data from lake, stream, and forest sites

It’s the largest conservation project AMC has ever undertaken. And we’re just getting started. Visit our lodges, hike, ski, or bike miles of trails, and support our land preservation efforts.