MathWorks $10 Million Gift Accelerates Permanent Protection of Maine's Barnard Forest
A $10 million donation from MathWorks enabled the Appalachian Mountain Club to permanently protect 29,000 acres of ecologically critical forest in Maine, accelerating conservation efforts and securing habitat for endangered species while supporting local economic stability.
The Appalachian Mountain Club has completed the acquisition of Maine's Barnard Forest through a transformative $10 million gift from MathWorks, securing nearly 29,000 acres of globally significant habitat years ahead of schedule. This acquisition represents a major milestone in the organization's Maine Woods Initiative, which now totals 127,710 acres of protected land in one of the most ecologically important landscapes in the eastern United States.
The Barnard Forest, located in Piscataquis County within the Pleasant River watershed, contains critical habitat for endangered species including the last naturally reproducing population of landlocked salmon in Maine. The property features more than 70 miles of stream corridors that serve as spawning grounds for endangered sea-run Atlantic salmon, extensive spruce-fir flats, and wetlands providing cold-water habitat for native brook trout and landlocked smelt. The conservation creates an uninterrupted, undeveloped forest corridor connecting the Appalachian Trail highlands to the Pleasant River, forming a continuous conserved area of over 750,000 acres.
Under AMC's stewardship, the forest will support restoration forestry, habitat connectivity, and climate adaptation strategies while maintaining Forest Stewardship Council standards. The property will contribute to rural economic growth by supporting more than 50 forestry- and recreation-related jobs and reinforcing AMC's $8.39 million annual economic impact in the region. The land will remain on local tax rolls, ensuring continued community benefit while providing permanent public access for fishing, hunting, recreation, and cultural use after being closed to the public for nearly two decades.
The conservation achievement was made possible through strategic partnership with The Conservation Fund, which initially acquired the southern portion of the property through its Working Forest Fund with support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. MathWorks' contribution, the second-largest philanthropic gift in AMC's history, accelerated the permanent protection timeline by two years, demonstrating how corporate philanthropy can drive significant conservation outcomes. The $10 million donation completed a nearly $24 million campaign that included support from multiple foundations and individual donors.
This acquisition strengthens climate resilience efforts through expanded carbon stocking and older forest condition restoration, aligning with broader climate strategy objectives. The permanent protection ensures ecological continuity while maintaining working forest characteristics that support both conservation and sustainable economic activity in rural Maine communities.