• Irland, Lloyd C
  The Irland Group Forestry Consultants
  

Maine's forest resource and forest-based industry have entered this century to find new and troubling dynamics at work. Changes in the corporate world, in financial markets, seemingly insatiable demands for land in southern Maine, and surging foreign competition create new challenges and opportunities. Our traditional views about the Maine woods and the industry, and our established policies are not capable of coping with these new challenges and realizing these opportunities. An entire industry are being re-created before our eyes and we do not have the operator's manual. We will have to improvise. A few ideas, based on initial consultations, are offered at the end of this essay.

This paper was prepared at the request of Governor John Baldacci to identify for Maine people the importance of forest resources to the Maine economy and culture and the nature and scale of the current threats to them and to encourage fresh, creative ways of thinking about the industry that will position it as a long-term, sustainable natural resources-based industry in Maine. It is not an official position paper of the Governor or any state agency.