Maine Foliage Kids' Page
Explore the links at left to learn more about Maine's forests and trees.
Don't miss the fun animated movie "How the Leaves
Change Color"!
History of Maine’s Fall Foliage Reports
Reporting fall foliage conditions in Maine was the brainchild of Forestry
Commissioner Austin Wilkins, who in 1959 had Maine Forest Service
Rangers report the amount of color change and leaf drop weekly.
These five weekly reports that started in mid-September and ended
mid-October were radioed to forestry headquarters in Augusta, and then
mailed or phoned to local reporters.
In 1996, the Department of Conservation
posted the foliage reports on the Internet, distinguishing
Maine as the first state to post weekly conditions on the web.
In
1997, Maine was first again by posting fall foliage pictures
sent in from Maine Forest Service and Park Rangers that documented current
color conditions throughout the state. The Web site contained a color-coded
regional map, indicating the foliage progression.
Today, Maine’s site reaches a worldwide audience and
provides current foliage condition
reports, a section of frequently
asked questions, facts about Maine’s 17 million acres
of forestland, and links to a variety of tourism and forestry
partners.
Maine Forest Service: "We help you make informed decisions about Maine's forests"
The Maine Forest Service was
established in 1891 to ensure for Maine’s citizens the greatest
economic and social benefits from trees and forestlands of the State.
In 1973 the Maine Forest Service became a bureau within the Department of Conservation and is composed of three divisions: Forest Policy & Management, Forest Protection, and Forest Health & Monitoring.
The key to Maine's past, present, and future quality of life and economic prosperity for its citizens is permanently linked to the condition of the State's forest resources. The Maine Forest Service works to ensure that the trees and forestlands of Maine will continue to provide benefits for present and future generations of Maine people.
The Maine Forest Service does this by:
- Developing, advocating for, and promoting activities that encourage
the sound long-term management of the forest resources.
- Protecting
the forest resource from the effects of fire, insects,
disease and misuse.
- And providing accurate, relevant, and
timely information about the forest resource.
Sources:
The Maine Forest, Maine Forest Service Fact Sheet, April 2000
Forest Trees of Maine, Department of Conservation’s Maine Forest Service, 1995
The Forests of Maine, University of Maine’s Water Resources Program, May 1994
