TNC ME Campaign Impact Report 2024 - Flipbook - Page 3
CLIMATE & forests
SLOWING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PESTS
Gnarled, scaly pitch pines can tolerate tough growing
conditions. They thrive in sandy, nutrient-poor soils
and don’t mind a bit of coastal salt. They grow back
quickly after forest fires. But a pest the size of a
sesame seed can kill acres of pitch pine forest in just a
few weeks—if it has the chance.
As their name suggests, southern pine beetles are
native to the southeastern United States. But as
Maine winters become shorter and milder, these
pests—like many others—are swarming north. So,
we’re acting now to slow their spread into Maine,
using lessons from colleagues in areas like Long Island
that have already seen significant damage.
This spring at TNC’s Waterboro Pine Barrens
Preserve in York County, Southern Maine Preserves
Manager Jon Bailey worked with colleagues from the
US Forest Service and the Forest Stewards Guild to
thin out pitch pines preemptively, before an outbreak
can take hold. Using selective harvest and prescribed
burns, they increased the spacing between pines.
Think of it as social distancing for trees.
Jon Bailey summed up why we make these investments now to a reporter from the Bangor Daily News, saying, “If
we don’t adapt our management approach, we will lose this habitat and lose all the species that are unique to it. This
to me is a glimmer of hope. We’re using science and experience from other folks to save a unique and rare place.”
Our Goals by 2024
Forests
147,263 Acres
GOAL: ADD MORE THAN 350,000 ACRES
42%
Acres of resilient and connected forest lands permanently conserved
2 Ecological Reserves
GOAL: BRING AT LEAST 2 ECOLOGICAL RESERVES TO SCALE
100%
A TOUR OF YOUR IMPACT | 3
