Habitat loss—due to destruction, fragmentation, or degradation of habitat—is the primary threat to the survival of wildlife in the United States.

Explore interactive charts and maps that summarize key statistics about forests in Maine, United States. Statistics – including rates of forest change and forest extent – can be customized, easily shared and downloaded for offline use.

Forests have always faced threats. From natural disturbances like hurricanes and wildfires to native pests and diseases like spruce budworm to shifts in climate over the millennia.

A 446-acre forest in western Maine was once permitted to become a 300-unit housing subdivision. Instead, two years ago, the land was bought by conservationists and preserved.

Housing policies are inextricably connected to the health of our communities and environment. When we don’t support quality affordable housing in existing cities due to restrictive zoning rules or other barriers, we end up with suburban sprawl that leaves communities with multi-hour commutes, damaged ecosystems and dirty air.

Some advocates say the rules unfairly single out clean energy based on limited data, but they hope the fees could help funnel development toward brownfields and less productive farmland.