Kennebec Highlands Habitat Project

The New England Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is partnering with Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on a project to support shrubland and young forest habitat management in the Kennebec Highlands of Maine. The project site on York Hill is at recently acquired blueberry fields that have not been commercially managed since approximately 2006. Today, the area includes a mosaic of blueberry fields, early successional habitat and young forest surrounded by more mature forest. The project is part of a BPL plan to periodically managing vegetation in the former fields to maintain a mix of open blueberry areas, taller shrubland and young forest. These conditions provide important habitat for moose, deer and snowshoe hare, as well as breeding habitat for birds including eastern towhee, indigo bunting, field sparrow, white-throated sparrow and chestnut-sided warbler. The work will also benefit species identified in Maine as Threatened, Special Concern, and Species of Greatest Conservation Need that depend on shrubland and young forest habitat. More common game species, including American woodcock, wild turkey and black bear, are also expected to benefit.

Volunteers are need to help cut and pile brush within the interspersed shrubland and open blueberry areas. BPL and MDIFW staff will be on-site to provide implementation guidance and, depending on timing and conditions, may burn brush piles.

Space is limited, please RSVP by December 1st, 2026. If you are RSVPing for more than yourself, please sign them up separately. 

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