9 Skyway Ave, Frenchville, ME 04745, us
USJRO Land Trust for Wildlife Habitat, Education, Recreation, Biodiversity
A view of the St. Francis River entering the St. John River
Upper St. John River Organization (USJRO)
Promoting Nature and Science
Providing a Land Trust with Standards for Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity
Promoting Northern White Cedar for Habitat
The USJRO is a 501(c)3 non-profit Organization focused on promoting deep appreciation of our local nature.
We promote wildlife habitat and biodiversity enhancement, and soil & water quality conservation. We focus our efforts in the St. John Valley international boundary area, but promote conservation throughout the Acadian Forest.
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The USJRO is a 501(c)3 non-profit Organization focused on promoting deep appreciation of our local nature.
We promote wildlife habitat and biodiversity enhancement, and soil & water quality conservation. We focus our efforts in the St. John Valley international boundary area, but promote conservation throughout the Acadian Forest.
We offer Free Downloadable Science & Nature Publications from this website.
Promoting Northern White Cedar for Habitat
Providing a Land Trust with Standards for Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity
Promoting Northern White Cedar for Habitat
Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is our longest-lived tree, with a typical lifespan of 400 years. Cedar grows best in higher pH soils as are found in the St. John River Valley. Cedar is of highest food value to wintering deer, and also provide excellent winter shelter. The USJRO has distributed over 100,000 cedar seedlings pro
Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is our longest-lived tree, with a typical lifespan of 400 years. Cedar grows best in higher pH soils as are found in the St. John River Valley. Cedar is of highest food value to wintering deer, and also provide excellent winter shelter. The USJRO has distributed over 100,000 cedar seedlings provided by CedarWorks, a Maine company that uses cedar in their products.
Providing a Land Trust with Standards for Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity
Providing a Land Trust with Standards for Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity
Providing a Land Trust with Standards for Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity
The USJRO attained 501c3 non-profit status as a Land Trust in 2019.
We acquired a conservation easement on a Town of Frenchville owned property in 2021,
and a gift of Hog Island and 1/2 of Gardner Island, also in 2021.
We are actively pursuing conservation easements and ownership of additional areas
to be managed for wildlife habitat and biodiversity.
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BIG NEWS! USJRO Receives Gift of Islands
Town of Frenchville - USJRO Conservation Easement
Town of Frenchville - USJRO Conservation Easement
Joel T. and Linda Mae Wooster of South Daytona Florida, and Betty Ann Rogers of Bangor Maine, the heirs of William L. Poucel and Iris L. Poucel Engberg, donated Hog Island and the West half of Gardner Islands to the USJRO in 2021.
The Islands are open to the public.
Town of Frenchville - USJRO Conservation Easement
Town of Frenchville - USJRO Conservation Easement
Town of Frenchville - USJRO Conservation Easement
The USJRO received funding from the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program (MNRCP) funds for a Conservation Easement an a 120-acre Town of Frenchvilleproperty.
This property is open to the public.
Frenchville Dark Sky Observatory
Town of Frenchville - USJRO Conservation Easement
A Land Trust Promoting Woods for Wildlife
Not just for nighttime. This Town of Frenchville property provides an unimpeded view to the East and South. This property marks the town boundary between the vast fields of Flat Mountain in St. Agatha and the forest in this part of Frenchville.
A Land Trust Promoting Woods for Wildlife
Building Partnerships with Local Towns, UMFK, the SJVTC.
A Land Trust Promoting Woods for Wildlife
The USJRO attained 501(c)3 status in 2019. Since that time, we have acquired properties from donations, and have secured funds for a conservation easement.
Free Downloads of Nature and Conservation Publications
Building Partnerships with Local Towns, UMFK, the SJVTC.
Building Partnerships with Local Towns, UMFK, the SJVTC.
We have some great natural science publications for free download. Information includes both nature information and conservation practices. Click below to learn more about the Biodiversity of the Forests of Maine, the Fish River Chain of Lakes, and much more!
Building Partnerships with Local Towns, UMFK, the SJVTC.
Building Partnerships with Local Towns, UMFK, the SJVTC.
Building Partnerships with Local Towns, UMFK, the SJVTC.
The USJRO has attained management responsibility for several community-owned properties in Frenchville, Grand Isle, and Fort Kent. The community properties were included in the St. John Valley Community Forest Project in 2007-2009, which led to the formation of the USJRO.
Providing Educational Opportunities to UMFK and SJVTC Students
Twin Rivers Paper Company and The SJVTC, and UMFK team up to Save Trees
Providing Educational Opportunities to UMFK and SJVTC Students
The USJRO has developed strong relationships with UMFK and the St. John Valley Technology Center (SJVTC) for various activities on community-owned properties. Dr. Neil Thompson actively involved UMFK and SJVTC students to plant Red Oak Acorns, Milkweed (to benefit Monach Butteflies), and apple trees that he grafted.area onto community properties.
American Chestnut Plantation in Frenchville
Twin Rivers Paper Company and The SJVTC, and UMFK team up to Save Trees
Providing Educational Opportunities to UMFK and SJVTC Students
The USJRO partnered with the Town of Frenchville, UMFK, the American Chestnut Foundation, and the SJVTC to establish the Northernmost American Chestnut germplasm orchard in the continental US.
Twin Rivers Paper Company and The SJVTC, and UMFK team up to Save Trees
Twin Rivers Paper Company and The SJVTC, and UMFK team up to Save Trees
Twin Rivers Paper Company and The SJVTC, and UMFK team up to Save Trees
Small trees were growing on the liner surrounding Twin RIvers landfill site in Frenchville. Mike Berube, Forestry Instructor at the SJVTC in Frenchville had a need to restore a MSAD33 property in Frenchivlle. Twin Rivers Environmental Manager Trevor Hinshaw allowed Mike to bring his Forestry students to dig up and transplant hundreds of trees that would otherwise have to be mowed to protect the liner.
USJRO receives a Gift of Islands
We are excited that the heirs of William L. Poucel and Iris L. Poucel Engberg have donated Hog Island and the West half of Gardner Islands to the USJRO.
Joel T. and Linda Mae Wooster of South Daytona Florida, and Betty Ann Rogers of Bangor Maine, the heirs of William L. Poucel and Iris L. Poucel Engberg, donated Hog Island and the West half of Gardner Islands to the USJRO in 2021. These islands are located at the confluence of the Allagash River and the St. John River in Allagash, Maine.
William L. Poucel and Iris L. Poucel Engberg
Rebecca Poucel of San Diego, California, family member and executor of the estate, approached The Nature Conservancy (TNC) with the family’s interest in donating the islands for conservation, TNC referred them to the USJRO, which we are thrilled about!
Rebecca Poucel completed the family's donation of Hog and Gardner Islands in Allagash in 2021
Rebecca made a solo cross-country trip by car to get signatures of the heirs and complete the donation in the St. John Valley. Left to right are Bob DeFarges, USJRO Treasurer, Rebecca Poucel, and Louie Pelletier III, USJRO Vice President, August 9, 2021. Gardner and Hog Islands can be seen in the background from a home owned by Louie. This property that he rents which previously owned by the same Gardner side of his family that once owned the island.
More about Hog and Gardner Islands
by Louie Pelletier III, V.P. USJRO
Gardner Island sits at the geographic center of the northern Maine town of Allagash. It has played a major role in the history of this small community.
The island got its name from John and Anne Gardner who settled there with their young family in the 1830’s. They were part of the first wave of settlers that arrived from the Bay of Chaleur area in New Brunswick to start a new life in this remote wilderness on the banks of the St. John River. Local lore claims they chose the safety of the island for fear of wolf packs that roamed the area at that time. It is presumed that shortly thereafter the danger of the spring ice jams outweighed whatever concern they had regarding the wolves because they relocated to the north shore of the St. John directly in back of the island.
The fertile soil of the island was used for raising livestock and growing crops to help feed the new town. Whatever commodities that were not used locally were sold to the numerous logging camps that were operating up-river.
Gardner Island along with its two satellite islands of Hog and Wolf also mark the end of the world famous Allagash River. Canoeist travelling down its 90-mile length must pass by Gardner Island to enter into the St. John River.
Nature has reclaimed much of Gardner Island, and the old fence posts have mostly rotted away, and the fields and pastures have mostly disappeared beneath aspens, spruce, and other trees.
The USJRO will manage Gardner Island for wildlife habitat and biodiversity, will it will be open for recreational use for the public, and for natural science research and education. Gardner Island will remain both a valuable piece of local history, and an important and unique ecosystem supporting a myriad of native plants and animals.
Frenchville Dark Sky Observatory
USJRO / Town of Frenchville Conservation Easement with Dark Sky Observatory
USJRO / Town of Frenchville Conservation Easement with Dark Sky Observatory
USJRO / Town of Frenchville Conservation Easement with Dark Sky Observatory
The USJRO received Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program (MNRCP) funds for a conservation easement on the Town of Frenchville property containing the Frenchville Dark Sky Observatory location in 2022.
This property will be open to the public for recreation and education.
Not just for Night Time!
USJRO / Town of Frenchville Conservation Easement with Dark Sky Observatory
USJRO / Town of Frenchville Conservation Easement with Dark Sky Observatory
Dark Sky Observatory location in the USJRO easement area is perfect for daytime viewing of the landscape and wildlife.
There are unimproved non-motorised trails in the easement area.
Download a map to the Dark Sky Observatory and USJRO easement area below.
Pursuing Dark Sky Park status with the International Dark Sky Association
USJRO / Town of Frenchville Conservation Easement with Dark Sky Observatory
Pursuing Dark Sky Park status with the International Dark Sky Association
USJRO Treasurer Bob DeFarges is leading our efforts to attain Dark Sky Park status with the International Dark Sky Association.
We are pursuing funds to purchase a telescope for periodic public events at the site.
We are also investigating other Dark Sky observation locations on USJRO-managed community properties in Fort Kent and Grand Isle.
American Chestnut Germplasm Orchard in Frenchville
Dr. Neil Thompson, UMFK Forestry Professor, was project leader for the American Chestnut Germplasm Orchard in 2022.
Dr. Neil Thompson, UMFK Forestry Professor, was project leader for the American Chestnut Germplasm Orchard in 2022.
Dr. Neil Thompson, UMFK Forestry Professor, was project leader for the American Chestnut Germplasm Orchard in 2022.
The American Chestnut Foundation provided UMFK Forestry Professor Dr. Neil Thompson seeds from surviving American Chestnut trees in New England .
Neil raised seedlings, which were planted in Frenchville by university Forestry and Environmental students with assistance from the SJVTC and USJRO.
Amercian Chestnuts were planted on a Town of Frenchville Acadian Forest Habitat Management Area (AFHMA)
Dr. Neil Thompson, UMFK Forestry Professor, was project leader for the American Chestnut Germplasm Orchard in 2022.
Dr. Neil Thompson, UMFK Forestry Professor, was project leader for the American Chestnut Germplasm Orchard in 2022.
The Town of Frenchville has accepted the USJRO as managers of community-owned properties, including this one between Star Barn and Cleveland Avenues in Frenchville.
These properties, named Acadian Forest Habitat Management Areas (AHMA), are managed for habitat, education, and recreation.
SJVTC Forest Resource Instructor Mike Berube and Students Participated
Dr. Neil Thompson, UMFK Forestry Professor, was project leader for the American Chestnut Germplasm Orchard in 2022.
SJVTC Forest Resource Instructor Mike Berube and Students Participated
St. John Valley Technology Center (SJVTC) Forestry Instructor Mike Berube and his Forest Resource Management students. Students from 8th grade through high school assisted Neil Thompson in planting the American Chestnut seedlings.
Twin Rivers Paper Company and the SJVTC
Trevor Hinshaw of Twin Rivers Paper Company and Mike Berube of the SJVTC
Small trees growing on the liner at Twin Rivers landfill transplanted to school property
Small trees growing on the liner at Twin Rivers landfill transplanted to school property
Small trees were growing on the liner surrounding Twin RIvers landfill site in Frenchville. Mike Berube, Forestry Instructor at the SJVTC in Frenchville had a need to restore a MSAD33 property in Frenchville.
Twin Rivers Environmental Manager Trevor Hinshaw allowed Mike to have his Forestry student to dig up and transplant hundreds of t
Small trees were growing on the liner surrounding Twin RIvers landfill site in Frenchville. Mike Berube, Forestry Instructor at the SJVTC in Frenchville had a need to restore a MSAD33 property in Frenchville.
Twin Rivers Environmental Manager Trevor Hinshaw allowed Mike to have his Forestry student to dig up and transplant hundreds of trees that would otherwise have to be mowed to protect the liner.
Small trees growing on the liner at Twin Rivers landfill transplanted to school property
Small trees growing on the liner at Twin Rivers landfill transplanted to school property
Small trees growing on the liner at Twin Rivers landfill transplanted to school property
St. John Valley Technology Center (SJVTC) students digging-up seedlings growing on the liner surrounding Twin Rivers Frenchville landfill site.
The students then transplanted the trees to a school-owned property that they are restoring.
Thank you Twin RIvers!
SJVTC Forest Resource Instructor Mike Berube and students, and Neil Thompson
Small trees growing on the liner at Twin Rivers landfill transplanted to school property
SJVTC Forest Resource Instructor Mike Berube and students, and Neil Thompson
St. John Valley Technology Center SJVTC Forestry Instructor Mike Berube supervised his Forest Resource Management students from 8th grade through high school to assist in planting the American Chestnuts.
Neil Thompson, Forestry Professor at UMFK, also participated.
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision
Our Geographic Scope
Our Mission
The Upper St. John River Organization will contribute to sustainability of the region by increasing knowledge and awareness of the many values of our forests, aquatic systems, and other natural resources, and providing services for their conservation, sustainable management, and sustainable development.
Our Mission
Our Geographic Scope
Our Mission
The Upper St. John River Organization will help to sustain our natural resources by providing planning, organization, project management, field work, and GIS-based information technology services and support for projects related to natural resource conservation and management, natural science education, outdoor recreation, and sustainable development.
Our Geographic Scope
Our Geographic Scope
Office Location and International Directorship
The geographic focus of the USJRO is the drainage to the St. John River in the international border area of
the United States and Canada.
Though our focus is the St. John Valley, we promote biodiversity conservation throughout the Acadian Forest Region.
Office Location and International Directorship
Office Location and International Directorship
Office Location and International Directorship
The main office and executive directorship of the Upper St. John River Organization will be located in the St. John River Valley in the U.S., and >50% of the Directorship of the USJRO will be located on the U.S. side of the border.
The Fish River Chain of Lakes
Office Location and International Directorship
The Fish River Chain of Lakes
The USJRO was created from the Fish River Lakes Water Quality Association, and these lakes will remain a focus of our interest and activities.
We intend to re-engage with the Valuntary Lake Monitoring Program when funds are secured for equipment and supplies.
Our Downloads section includes "Fishery Management of the Fish River Drainage by Kendall Warner of MDIFW, 1965", a compilation of his 15 years of professional work. This provides a fantastic summary of the historic management of the lakes.
Tree of Life - Arbre de Vie
Office Location and International Directorship
The Fish River Chain of Lakes
Northern White Cedar, a.k.a. Arbre de Vie or Arborvitae is of highest concern to us, and will continue to be a focus of our wildlife habitat and water quality conservation efforts. CedarWorks from Rockport Maine provides cedar seedlings for our annual give-away.
USJRO Partners
CedarWorks & Northern White Cedar seedlings
Cedarworks is a Maine company located in Rockport that manufactures playsets and other products with Northern White Cedar.
Cedarworks donates thousands of Northern White Cedar Seedlings to the USJRO and ACCA annually (11,000/year from 2015-2018).
The USJRO and ACCA care for an distribute these seedlings for free to interested landowners, and conduct planting trials on community-owned parcels.
Call us for trees or to help with tree distribution or planting.
The Aroostook County Conservation Association
The ACCA has been a main partner of the USJRO for over a decade. We have distributedver 100,000 cedar seedlings donated by CedarWorks.
The ACCA had its beginnings focusing on predator control to help white-tailed deer in northern Maine.
Now, the ACCA is active in forest habitat conservation and enhancement. ACCA President Jerry McLaughlin also serves as a USJRO Director.
USJRO Partners and Sponsors
Maine Community Foundation
US Fish & Wildlife Service - Furbish's Lousewort
The Nature Conservancy - TNC
The MCF Fund for Land Conservation awarded a grant to the USJRO for our Biodiversity and Water Quality Protection project in 2020. A tree nursery was established and tree seedlings were made available free to the public. Northern White Cedar, Silver Maple, Northern Red Oak, and other trees were planted in several locations, GIS was used
The MCF Fund for Land Conservation awarded a grant to the USJRO for our Biodiversity and Water Quality Protection project in 2020. A tree nursery was established and tree seedlings were made available free to the public. Northern White Cedar, Silver Maple, Northern Red Oak, and other trees were planted in several locations, GIS was used in planning and mapping and our website was expanded to provide more conservation information.
The Nature Conservancy - TNC
US Fish & Wildlife Service - Furbish's Lousewort
The Nature Conservancy - TNC
Bryan Emerson of TNC patiently guided the USJRO in our Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program (MNRCP) wetlands conservation grant applications. The MNRCP awarded the USJRO funds to purchase a conservation easement with the Town of Frenchville. Bryan went above and beyond to provide much needed help in this, our first easement, as well as other applications for Grand Isle and Frenchville.
US Fish & Wildlife Service - Furbish's Lousewort
US Fish & Wildlife Service - Furbish's Lousewort
US Fish & Wildlife Service - Furbish's Lousewort
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program of the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is interested in conservation of the Endangered Furish's Lousewort plant.
The USFWS has partnered with Steve Young of One World Artisans through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program for over a decade.
The USFWS is interested in the USJRO owning prop
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program of the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is interested in conservation of the Endangered Furish's Lousewort plant.
The USFWS has partnered with Steve Young of One World Artisans through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program for over a decade.
The USFWS is interested in the USJRO owning properties or holding conservation easements for conservation and restoration of Furbish's Lousewort habitats along the St. John River.
Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program
Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program
US Fish & Wildlife Service - Furbish's Lousewort
The Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP) awards competitive grants to projects that restore and protect high priority aquatic resources throughout Maine.
The USJRO received MNRCP funding to purchase a conservation easement non a 120 acre Town of Frenchville property which is open to the public. That property also include
The Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP) awards competitive grants to projects that restore and protect high priority aquatic resources throughout Maine.
The USJRO received MNRCP funding to purchase a conservation easement non a 120 acre Town of Frenchville property which is open to the public. That property also includes a Dark Sky observatory location, and hosts natrual science research and educational opportunities for UMFK and SJVTC faculty and students.
The Maine Deer Habitat Partnership Program
Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program
The Maine Deer Habitat Partnership Program
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) partnered to sponsor the Maine Deer Habitat Partnership project in 2012.
Many landowners expressed interest in long-term habitat management partnership, which the USJRO will pursue.
The USJRO will continue to promote partners
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) partnered to sponsor the Maine Deer Habitat Partnership project in 2012.
Many landowners expressed interest in long-term habitat management partnership, which the USJRO will pursue.
The USJRO will continue to promote partnership and agreement for wildlife habitat management with the MDIFW to meet common goals.
the USDA NRCS
Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program
The Maine Deer Habitat Partnership Program
The NRCS is active in Aroostook county with 3 District offices. The USJRO will seek to expand partnership to meet common goals.
The NRCS was main sponsor of the Maine Deer Habitat Partnership project in 2012. Individual Wildlife Conservation Activity Plans were developed by Steve Young as a Technical Service Provider for the NRCS in Wildlife Conservation Activity Planning.
St. John Valley Community Forest Project Sponsors
Forest Biofuel Research Institute (FBRI)
The University of Maine FBRI provided grant funding for the St. John Valley Community Forest Project from 2007-2009. This project led to the formation of the Upper St. John River Organization (USJRO).
Detailed forest inventories and forecasts were created for individual sections of community-owned forested parcels.
Some of these properties have been designated as Acadian Forest Habitat Management Areas for habitat, education, an recreation.
National Science Foundation EPSCoR
The NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) provided grant funding for the St. John Valley Community Forest project through the University of Maine.
Students at the University of Maine at Fort Kent and local professionals were employed to map parcel sections with geographic information system (GIS), and systematically collect forest information.
There are excellent opportunities for follow-up forest growth & yield inventories for wildlife habitat and biodiversity management.
The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund (MOHF)
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife MOHF program provided grant funding to the Upper St. John Valley Community Forest Project from 2007-2009.
Detailed forest inventories and forecasts were conducted on community parcels, and some have now been officially designated Acadian Forest Habitat Management Areas.
This project led to the formation of the Upper St. John River Organization, when project leader Steve Young revived the Fish River Lakes Water Quality Association with expanded scope.
USJRO Directorship