Lakeville Community Forest

Downeast Lakes Land Trust, in partnership with the Downeast community, the Trust for Public Land, and the Forest Society of Maine, has recently added 2,015 acres to the Downeast Lakes Community Forest. This community forest protects one of the last remaining tracts of developable land along Sysladobsis Lake and contains old growth forest, wetlands, and streams.

The community forest is a hub for outdoor recreation, including fishing, paddling, swimming, and hiking. The new expansion provides critical support to the local outdoor and tourism economies. As part of the expansion, Downeast Lakes Land Trust will build two hand-carry boat launches, a new water-access campsite, and trails along the 2.3 miles of newly protected shoreline. The project will add new public access to Sysladobsis Lake and the first public access to Horseshoe Lake. Downeast Lakes Land Trust will also host an educational program in the newly acquired forest, offering free outdoor education to more than 500 local students every year and helping to create connections between people and nature for generations to come.