About Heart of Maine RC&D

The Heart of Maine Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area was legally authorized in February 1992, as part of the USDA Food and Agriculture Act of 1962. The Area encompasses 7.6 million acres of Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset counties in Central Maine. This rural tri-county region is blessed with abundant natural resources, including fertile soils, minerals, water, forests, fish, wildlife, scenic beauty, and dedicated, hard-working people. The well-being of the Area and the state depend heavily on the proper development and wise use of those resources.

People

Heart of Maine RC&D has a governing Council and a number of resource committees, all volunteers, who work with local leaders to identify rural development issues and successfully carry out projects in their communities. Success depends on the grassroots, bottom-up approach used by these concerned and dedicated people. For a list of current Council members, please visit our Council page.

Philosophy

The principles fundamental to decision-making and actions by the Heart of Maine RC&D Area Council have been borrowed from two highly respected natural resource philosophers and heroes: native Mainer and regional forester John Sinclair, and world-renowned conservationist, the late Aldo Leopold. Efforts center on careful resource husbandry and wise use of resources, while providing a meaningful living for those who depend on those resources now and for generations to come.

Vision

Like many organizations, Heart of Maine RC&D sought to find a vision that would reflect its ideals and goals. Through the inspiration of written, graphic, personal, and video tape presentations, the Heart of Maine RC&D Council arrived at the succinct vision:

"Inspiring leadership to help rural areas prosper."

Mission

From its inception, Heart of Maine RC&D Area Council sought to develop a mission statement that would speak clearly to the needs of the communities in the tri-county area in terms of jobs, the local economy, and conservation. The mission of the Heart of Maine RC&D is:

"To inspire and cultivate the leadership needed to create jobs and enrich lives through the conservation and development of local natural resources."