Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 18, 2025
$10M MathWorks Gift Secures Permanent Protection of Maine's Barnard Forest
TLDR
- MathWorks' $10 million gift accelerates AMC's acquisition of Barnard Forest, securing strategic conservation leadership and expanding their Maine Woods Initiative to 127,710 acres.
- AMC acquired 29,000 acres of Barnard Forest through a $10 million donation from MathWorks, managed under Forest Stewardship Council standards for ecological and economic sustainability.
- This conservation protects critical habitats and ensures public access for future generations, enhancing biodiversity and community opportunities in Maine's wilderness.
- Barnard Forest safeguards 70 miles of streams with endangered salmon and creates a 750,000-acre conserved corridor nearly the size of White Mountain National Forest.
Impact - Why it Matters
This conservation achievement matters because it permanently protects one of the most ecologically significant landscapes in the eastern United States, safeguarding critical habitats for endangered species like Atlantic salmon and maintaining biodiversity in an era of accelerating climate change. The preservation of nearly 29,000 acres ensures public access to recreational opportunities while supporting local economies through sustainable forestry and tourism. This large-scale conservation effort demonstrates how corporate philanthropy can accelerate environmental protection, creating climate resilience and preserving natural heritage for future generations in a region facing development pressures.
Summary
The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has achieved a major conservation milestone with the permanent protection of Maine's Barnard Forest, thanks to a transformative $10 million gift from MathWorks, the leading developer of mathematical computing software. This acquisition secures nearly 29,000 acres of globally significant habitat within the 100-Mile Wilderness region, accelerating the organization's Maine Woods Initiative to a total of 127,710 acres. The partnership between AMC, The Conservation Fund, and The Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation enabled this conservation success years ahead of schedule, protecting critical ecosystems including the last naturally reproducing population of landlocked salmon in Maine and over 70 miles of stream corridors vital for endangered Atlantic salmon.
Under AMC's stewardship, the Barnard Forest will support restoration forestry, habitat connectivity, and climate adaptation while maintaining Forest Stewardship Council standards. The property will remain open to the public for fishing, hunting, and recreation after being closed for nearly 20 years, while also supporting over 50 forestry- and recreation-related jobs and contributing to the region's $8.39 million annual economic impact. MathWorks' generous donation, representing the second-largest philanthropic contribution in AMC's history, reflects their commitment to sustainability and science-based climate solutions, demonstrating how corporate partnerships can accelerate environmental conservation outcomes.
The acquisition creates an uninterrupted conserved forest corridor of over 750,000 acres, nearly the size of the White Mountain National Forest, providing crucial climate resilience and biodiversity protection. This achievement was made possible through additional support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the EJK Foundation, and other donors, totaling nearly $24 million in gifts and grants. The project exemplifies successful collaboration between conservation organizations, private foundations, and corporate partners working toward shared environmental goals. To learn more about this initiative, visit outdoors.org/MaineWoodsInitiative and explore how AMC continues its mission of protecting and connecting people with nature.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, $10M MathWorks Gift Secures Permanent Protection of Maine's Barnard Forest
