SWOAM 2009-2010 | Environmental Funders Network

Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine

Purpose: To encourage greater public access to private lands through greater understanding of land owner perspectives; development and testing of incentives and pilot projects; and work with policy makers toward legislative changes.

Partners: Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine and the School of Forest Resources, University of Maine

2011 Award: $40,000

2010 Award: $50,000

2009 Award: $60,000 3 year request Read the 2009 Proposal (PDF)

SWOAM - A well managed woodlot.

Maine has 17.8 million acres of forest land, which makes it the most heavily forested state in the nation at 90%; it is also has the highest percentage of privately owned land at 94%. Public recreational use of private lands has generally been assumed open and free, unless posted. However, research indicates there are growing numbers of landowners who are posting their lands. This poses a challenge for the many citizens who rely upon the generosity of these private landowners, and an economic challenge for the state.

In a 2008 report to the Governor’s Council on Maine’s Quality of Place titled Public Access to Maine’s Private Lands: A Cultural and Economic Asset, hunting, snowmobiling, wildlife watching and ATV ridership generated more than $900 million annually. Private landowners provide a vital resource for the state’s economy while also enhancing the quality of life for Maine residents and visitors. Differences in landowners’ attitudes about public access that are related to age, ownership, tenure, goals of ownership, location of land, etc. must be identified if the state is to take meaningful steps to address landowners’ concerns and maintain public values that have traditionally flowed from private land such as recreational access, wildlife habitat, forest products, and aesthetics.

SWOAM will conduct the following phases:

Research – Conduct a study of landowner attitudes and the potential for a variety of incentives to maintain or increase public recreation access to private land.
Pilot Testing – Test a small-scale pilot program with incentives and evaluate results.
Public Outreach – Carryout a campaign to inform legislators, policy leaders and others of the contributions of private land to Maine’s quality of place, and explain the need for effective programs to help preserve public access, educate residents about the state’s unique tradition of public access and discuss appropriate behavior for users on private land, and demonstrate to private forest landowners that their concerns are being addressed.

SWOAM’s Research Goals and Objectives are:

Document existing public/private recreation access incentives and partnerships,
Identify existing attitudes toward public recreation use of private land,
Explore landowner interest in a variety of incentives for allowing recreation access including minimum compensation requirements,
Evaluate landowner preferences for different partners, cross-boundary cooperation and alternative partnership arrangements,
Investigate the interaction between incentives, legal concerns and values and beliefs regarding outdoor recreation and risks from public access,
Provide recommendations, relevant to state and local level policy makers, community planners, state agencies, recreation groups, and other stakeholders in Maine.

Future alliances between policy makers, stakeholders and public land users will depend upon mutual understanding of concerns and values. This research will suggest strategies for future opportunities and partnerships that will sustain recreation access on private forest land.