" It has long been my purpose to create in our forests a large area wherein the State may practice the most modern methods of forest control reforestation and production"

"I want this township to become a showplace for those interested in forestry, a place where a continuing timber crop can be cultivated, harvested, and sold, where reforestation and scientific cutting will be employed, an example and an inspiration to others.  What is done in our forests today will help or harm the generations who follow us."

Percival P. Baxter 1955

What is the Scientific Forest Management Area?

With the establishment of Baxter State Park, Percival Baxter demonstrated his commitment to sound land stewardship.  His commitment included not only the preservation of wild lands, but the application of "scientific" management to the forests of Maine.  Travels throughout the world convinced Governor Baxter that sound forest management was both possible and of vital importance to the State.  The Scientific Forest Management Area (SFMA) was provided by Percival Baxter to offer an accessible example to the people of the State of Maine of long-term forest management.  "a showplace for those interested in forestry, a place where a continuing timber crop can be cultivated, harvested, and sold.."

Facts and Figures

The 29,537 acre SFMA (14% of the park) is located in Township 6, Ranges 9 and 10, in the northwest corner of Baxter State Park.

In contrast to the steep, mountainous terrain found around Katahdin, the SFMA is mostly gently rolling terrain lying between 800' and 1000' elevation. Forest covers 94% of the SFMA and consists mostly of softwoods and softwood/hardwood mixes. The remaining 6% of the area is taken up by about half of Webster Lake and four other remote ponds ranging from eleven to seventy-two acres in size, and Webster stream, which runs through the SFMA from west to east.

The Park's hiking trail system traverses the SFMA via the Freezeout, Wadleigh Brook and Frost Pond trails. There are 21 miles of hiking trail within the SFMA and, depending upon itinerary choices, a loop hike of about 30 miles can be undertaken from Trout Brook Farm campground. The SFMA has three campsites on Webster Lake, as well as the Hudson Pond, Webster Stream and Frost Pond leantos.

Forest management roads extend into the SFMA from two access points along the western boundary of T6 R10. Roads are named and signed. A map may be obtained from Park Headquarters or Park Foresters. The Park's hiking trail system traverses the SFMA via the Freezeout, Frost Pond and Wadleigh Brook Trails. The Webster Stream, Webster Lake Outlet, Frost Pond and Hudson Pond leantos provide lodging along the 25 miles of trail in the SFMA.

How is the SFMA managed?

The ecological, economic and social management of the SFMA forest has been certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging responsible management of the world's forests. The FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way. The certifying body for the SFMA's certification was Smartwood and the SFMA's certificate was issued in November, 2001. Copies of our Certification Assessment Report can be requested from Park Headquarters.

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The certification process involves closely scrutinizing SFMA management against a set of regional standards developed by a wide range of stakeholders. More on the FSC, the certification process and the regional standards can be viewed at: http://www.fscus.org/faqs/what_is_fsc.php

The SFMA is also a model forest under the Forest Steward's Guild model forest program. The Forest Steward's Guild is a national organization of about 500 foresters and natural resource professionals promoting ecologically responsible forestry with active management to sustain the entire forest across the landscape (http://www.foreststewardsguild.org/). The Guild has developed a series of model forests to promote exemplary forest management across the country. The SFMA is proud to be included in this program.

In the SFMA, as with all of Baxter Park, the responsibility for policy and decision-making rests with the Baxter State Park Authority. The Park Director works with the Park Resource Manager and staff to develop and implement approved policy and coordinate and direct forest operations.

Most forest operations are performed by private contractors. Policy development and improvement is greatly assisted by the SFMA Advisory Committee, a standing committee of twelve citizens with expertise in environmental and forest resource areas. Field management of the SFMA is carried out by the Park Resource Manager, Forest Technician and a seasonal Forestry Aide.

What are the Management Goals of the SFMA?

It is the goal of the Baxter State Park Authority to manage the SFMA in compliance with Governor Baxter’s Deeds of Trust for the area. We hope that by the implementation of sensitive, scientifically sound intervention we can develop a forest which will produce high value forest products growing within a healthy and diverse forest landscape. Management plans are available from Park Headquarters.

 

What is the History of the Area?

The forests existing on the SFMA today are the result of a mosaic of human and natural processes. The 1800's saw the first wave of logging on the area for large white pine. Later harvests focused first on spruce logs and then on pulpwood continuing until the early 1950's. Evidence of past logging activities is still apparent throughout the area The Freezeout hiking trail in the SFMA utilizes an old tote road.

Intermixed with the logging activities were natural processes such as wildfire and insect outbreaks which further shaped the forest into the pattern it holds today.

What's Going on in the SFMA Today?

The vision we hold for the SFMA will take generations of diligent effort to achieve. One of the more difficult concepts in forest management is that although very dynamic, the forest responds to change over a much longer time frame than human perceptions can accept. Many of the benefits of current management of the SFMA won't be apparent for several generations. Our efforts today are to provide a solid foundation of high quality, sensitive, and planned forest operations, to develop a sound database to track and measure forest development, and to begin to provide the opportunity for demonstration and education for those interested in forestry. Forest operations, including harvest, stand survey, road construction and maintenance work occur on the SFMA continuously from May to April.

Visitors to the SFMA should be prepared to travel on narrow, gravel-surfaced forest roads. In the SFMA, vehicle traffic for public recreation is limited to two primary trunk roads, the 7 mile-long Brayley Brook Road (north of Webster Lake and Stream) and the 13 mile-long Wadleigh Mountain Road (south of Webster Lake and Stream).

Roads within the SFMA are named and signed and a map may be obtained from park headquarters. Signs within the management area offer some information on different stand management activities and forest history. Harvest operations may be underway during every month of the year except April, and visitors should always be prepared to meet a log truck when visiting the SFMA. The posted speed limit for SFMA roads is 20 mph.

The SFMA is one of two areas in Baxter State Park in which hunting and trapping are permitted (with the exception of moose hunting and animal baiting). Forest management activities on the SFMA are generally favorable to game species and the area is a popular destination for local and out-of-state hunters. In addition to hunting, Webster Lake is a popular destination for ice fishing activities and Webster Stream provides some of the only white water canoeing in Baxter Park. Canoeing Webster Stream requires at least one overnight reservation in Baxter Park – contact Park Headquarters for information on this trip. Maps of the SFMA road and trail system can be obtained at Park Headquarters.

 

How can I see the SFMA?

Individuals or groups interested in more information or field tours of the area should contact the park Resource Manager at park headquarters (207-723-8194). Vehicle access to the area may be restricted at times to protect public safety, roads, and resources. Volunteers also provide assistance with maintenance and management work on the SFMA. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the park Resource Manager.

For whatever reason that you visit the SFMA, please register at the SFMA entrance. As with any part of Baxter State Park, pets are not permitted. Overnight camping is permitted with a reservation and only at designated campsites. Overnight roadside camping is not permitted.

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