Prevention and/or Restoration: The Evolution and Ripple Effect of Project Share's Habitat Restoration Program

In 1993, a petition to list Atlantic salmon stocks created a very stressful and contentious environment for landowners and conservationists within Maine.  Commercial forest landowners, some of which had first-hand experience with the contentious nature of spotted owl and salmonid listings in the Pacific NW, sought the advice of USFWS. How could they work together rather than as adversaries to the benefit of the species?  Project SHARE (501c3) was formed in 1994 as a diverse partnership of commercial landowners, conservation groups, state and federal resource agencies with the singular mission of protecting and restoring Atlantic salmon habitat in Downeast Maine. SHARE has been responsible for completion of 200+ connectivity and habitat restoration projects concentrated in a process based, focus area approach. Today SHARE continues to “tap into” and leverage capacity of diverse member groups and limited funding sources to further on-the-ground habitat improvement. The Narraguagus Project brings a new level of commitment from state, federal, and academic scientists teamed up with SHARE’s on-the ground restoration activity. The presentation will provide an over view of SHARE’s restoration program,  “Stream Smart”, a state-wide stream connectivity program and other “ripple effects” that are occurring as a result of this concentrated restoration activity.