Practicing sustainable forestry in the Umbagog Refuge

‘A national treasure’. That’s what the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, which straddles the New Hampshire and Maine border, has been called. And that’s why Sappi North America was extremely proud to be selected by the US Fish and Wildlife Services to lead their timber harvest.

Benefits of sustainable timber harvesting 

Timber harvesting is essential to maintain and restore resilient and sustainable forests. When planned and supervised by qualified foresters with input from the public and other resource specialists, responsible timber harvesting supports–and can even enhance–fish and wildlife habitat, improved water quality, reliable water supplies and recreation. 

Once the timber reaches our mills–in this case Somerset mill in Maine–we transform it into renewable, recyclable and biodegradable woodfibre products as part of the circular economy. Timber harvests also provide an important source of income for local and state governments. 

About the harvest

The timber harvest in the Umbagog Refuge is designed to promote the US government’s long-term goal of a multi-aged, mixed species forest with more than 70% canopy closure. The harvest we were asked to assist with is the first of a series of harvests scheduled to occur in 15-year increments.

Our harvesting procedures will promote and release the regeneration of red spruce, sugar maple and yellow birch, which have been marked for harvest. Some spruce, fir, white birch, sugar maple and American beech trees are also included.

Our harvesting plan involves single tree and group selection harvesting. Group cuts are distributed throughout the harvest area with single tree selection used between groups.

See for yourself

Go inside a sustainably managed forest in North America to see how Sappi has a positive impact on the health of forests, the animals that live there and the overall environment. You'll never look at paper the same way again.