Maine Mineral and Gem Museum – Probably one of the best (if not the best) geologic museums in the world, Bethel’s Maine Mineral and Gem Museum (MMGM) is a true “gem” in the heart of the northwestern Maine foothills. The MMGM’s primary mission is to celebrate Earth and cultivate critical thinking through education, research and dynamic exhibitry — all designed to inspire visitors about Maine’s geologic history, pegmatite mining, and our planet’s place in the solar system.
Mahoosuc Land Trust – MLT Mission: To conserve and share the Mahoosuc region’s important natural lands with our communities now and for the future including the conservation of Tumbledown Dick Mountain
New England Forestry Foundation – The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) wants to help the landowners of Western Maine create or restore important wildlife habitat across 2.3 million acres of privately owned land by providing the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to better care for the woods and wildlife around them.
Beginning With Habitat – This site is part of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website. The program is intended to help Maine municipalities, landowners, and land trusts build habitat conservation into their long-term plans. The program was created in 2000 to collect, connect, and consolidate the wealth of habitat information being produced by separate federal, state, and local agencies as well as non-governmental organizations.
Forestry for Maine Birds – This site is part of the Maine Audubon Society which provides guidance so you can have productive working woodlands that provide habitat for many of the bird and wildlife species that call Maine home. .
Maine Audubon Society – Since 1843, the Maine Audubon Society has been connecting people to nature through a science-based approach to conservation, education, and advocacy. The largest Maine-based wildlife conservation organization, Maine Audubon has eight wildlife sanctuaries, 10,000 members, 2,000 volunteers, and serves over 50,000 people annually.
Androscoggin River Wikipedia – Nice description and information about the important Androscoggin River and its watershed
Town of Gilead Facebook Page – Our Home Town – Gilead is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Upon incorporation in 1804, it was named for the large quantity of Balm of Gilead trees in the town center. The population was 209 at the 2010 census. It is said that current population of registered voters is less than the current population of registered dogs (need verification of this tidbit but it sounds plausible). Also Gilead is the town native Mainer Stephen King based the homeland of Roland Deschain on, protagonist of The Dark Tower series.
Town of Bethel – Town of Bethel Maine Home Page –Bethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,607 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel. The town is home to Gould Academy, a private preparatory school, and is near the Sunday River ski resort.
Sunday River Ski Resort – Check out the latest conditions and goings on at Sunday River Ski Resort
Appalachian Mountain Club – AMC Homepage – The mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club is to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. Our community includes passionate hikers, some who have hiked all or portions of the Appalachian Trail.
American Chestnut Foundation – The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) conducts research to develop a blight-resistant American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) for reintroduction.
Bigfoot Field Research Organization (BFRO) – You ain’t in Kansas anymore when you step out into the Western Maine Woods – North America’s newest “Squatching” hot spot . Find out about the latest research and sightings with regard to this elusive creature by going to the BFRO website. Yes… big things do go bump in the night in the woods around here.
Interesting Documents and Maps
Forestry for Maine Birds – This is a guide book produced by the Maine Audubon Society which helps land owners enhance their properties for forest birds and other wildlife species
Gilead Water Resources and Riparian Habitats (Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) – This map depicts riparian areas associated with major surface water features and important public water resources
Wetland characterization map of the Gilead area (Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife)- This map depicts all wetlands shown on National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps for the Gilead area.
High value plant and animal habitats of the Gilead area (Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) – This map details the locations in the Gilead area that are considered to be of high value with regard to preserving critical habitat for rare and endangered plants and wildlife.
Natural Resource Cooccurrence Map of the Gilead area (Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) – This map details the concentration of selected environmental asset data in an effort to aid in conservation planning.
