History of the Northern Forest

The Great Northern Forest has covered this region since the last ice ice age ended more than 10,000 years ago. Twice pushed to the brink of disappearing completely because of poor management, today the Northern Forest flourishes. The Northern Forest encompasses more than 26 million acres. It boasts a diverse landscape of woodlands, mountains, rivers, streams and lakes. Beginning in the northern woods of Maine, the Northern Forest stretches through New Hampshire and Vermont into the Adirondack Mountains and the Tug Hill region of New York.

The region includes the most remote, pristine lakes in the Northeast; the headwaters of the Hudson, the Connecticut, the Saint John, and other great eastern rivers; and vast tracks of forestland that shelter wild creatures and migratory birds. The remote character of the region is seen in species, such as: bald eagles, loons, lynx, bear, moose, martens and fishers, beavers, belted kingfishers, bobcats, star-nosed moles, wild turkeys, osprey, great blue herons, red-winged blackbirds, pileated woodpeckers, great horned and northern saw-whet owls, red-tailed hawks, painted trilliums, pink lady slippers, northern pitcher plants, red and grey foxes, coyotes, minks, river otters, northern flying squirrels, porcupines, luna moths, spotted salamanders, spring peepers, balsam firs, tamaracks, paper birchs, white pines, sugar maples, and many other incredible species of plants and animals.

Twice in recent history, the Northern Forest was so over-grazed or over-harvested it declined in size to less than five percent of its original acreage. When Europeans first settled America, New England became the colonies' agricultural and dairy center. The result was intensive sheep and cattle grazing, and thousands of acres of land plowed under to grow crops. As settlers moved west, so did the nation's agricultural belt, and the Northern Forest once again returned to woodlands.

With the advent of the industrial age, however, the Northern Forest was under threat once again. Nineteenth century New England required fuel for its increasingly industrial-based economy. Timber was plentiful, nearby and inexpensive -- the perfect fuel for New England's flourishing textile mills. The wood supply was regarded as so limitless at the time that New England roads were often paved with it. For the second time in the region's brief history, the Northern Forest was so abused, it nearly disappeared.

Today, thanks to the work of conservation groups and various governmental bodies, the Northern Forest has recovered much of its lost ground, and has even made gains in some areas. The Northern Forest is increasingly recognized as a source of tremendous resources beyond timber. Cleaner air and water, recreational opportunities like hiking, skiing, camping, hunting and fishing, forestry and wood products jobs and tourism are just some of the benefits from a forest that is managed to meet the needs of people and wildlife. Mismanaged forests may generate short-term economic gain, but there's a serious long-term environmental price tag including soil erosion, degraded water quality and biodiversity loss; but the world is learning that the environment and economy must go hand in hand, if either are to succeed in the Northern Forest. Sustainable forestry is one key to achieving harmony between environment and economy. Recovery of endangered native species, and protection of critical wildlife habitat are others. With large scale environmental problems such as global climate change looming, it is more important than ever to manage the Northern Forest in creative ways that work for local communities and native wildlife.

History of The Northern Forest Archipelago

The Northern Forest Archipelago (NFA) came into being around the turn of the century when our king, King James III, took note of the fact that scattered chunks or "islands" of wilderness contained within the Great Northern Forest of the United States were ready for a change. He explored the wilderness, purchased the land that would become Backwoods (the capital of the NFA), organized other widely dispersed bits of wilderness under a cohesive system of government, and was declared King. The declaration of the existence of the Northern Forest Archipelago was formalized through the enactment and ratification of our constitution on September 21,1998. The guiding principles of the NFA are simple:

1. Protection of the woods, waters, and wildlife of the Northern Forest
2. Sustainable use and enjoyment of the woods, waters, and wildlife of the Northern Forest
3. Spread the word about the value and beauty of the woods, waters, and wildlife of the Northern Forest, so as to promote and insure their protection over time

If you have any questions about the history of the NFA, please feel free to get in touch with the NFA Official Historian

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