Dwight B. Demeritt Forest Explained

Dwight B. Demeritt Forest
Coords:44.915°N -68.657°W
Type:Forest
Location:Old Town, Maine / Orono, Maine, United States
Area:1478acres
Created:1939
Operator:University of Maine
Visitation Num:35,000 to 50,000

The Dwight B. Demeritt Forest is a protected area of Penobscot County, Maine owned by the University of Maine.[1] It is located in the adjacent municipalities of Old Town and Orono, Maine. Totaling 1478acres, the Forest is used for education, demonstrations, research, and recreation, including hiking and cross-country skiing.[2] According to the New England Mountain Biking Association, 35,000 to 50,000 people visit the space each year.[3] It contains over 15 miles of trails.[4]

In 1939, forested land adjacent to the campus was leased by the University which was purchased by university outright in 1955. In 1971, the parcel was named for Dwight B. Demeritt, who, as head of the University's Forest Department, had helped procure the land.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Demeritt . Dwight Burgess . Background and History of the University of Maine Forest . 1972 . Life Sciences and Agriculture Experiment Station, University of Maine . en.
  2. Web site: Dwight B. Demeritt Forest . University of Maine School of Forest Resources . 20 May 2020.
  3. Web site: University of Maine Trails, Orono . NEMBA . 20 May 2020 . en.
  4. Web site: DeMeritt Forest Trail System . Campus Recreation . University of Maine . 20 May 2020.
  5. Web site: Guide to the Dwight B. Demeritt, Jr. Brooklyn Navy Yard photographs and negatives V1989.015 . dlib.nyu.edu . New York University . 20 May 2020.