A Legacy of Stewardship: Restoring Tribal Lands 🌲

Learn how Chuck Loring Jr. is guiding the return of ancestral lands to the Penobscot Nation in partnership with Trust for Public Land. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ [Trust for Public Land]( Friend, at the heart of everything we do at Trust for Public Land is the understanding that land is more than just space. It holds stories, memories, and deep connections that transcend time. [And in our partnership with the Penobscot Nation—a federally recognized tribe located in what is now known as Maine—that truth has never been more evident.]( Charles “Chuck” Loring Jr., director of natural resources for the Penobscot Nation, knows the importance of protecting and caring for land better than most. He’s leading efforts to restore nearly 30,000 acres of ancestral lands to the Penobscot people, in partnership with Trust for Public Land. This isn’t just about returning the land—known as Wáhsehtəkʷ—it’s about healing the land from generations of misuse. [Two people canoeing on Trout Pond]( Photo credit: Chris Bennett [READ THE STORY]( [READ THE STORY]( For Chuck, this effort is both personal and communal. It’s an opportunity to reconnect his people to lands that have nourished their communities for generations. As Chuck explains, “We are looking at this as a significant landscape-scale restoration project, where we can let the forests heal from their previous industrial uses and focus on improving fish habitat.” [Charles “Chuck” Loring Jr., director of natural resources for the Penobscot Nation]( Photo credit: Joe "Hugga" Dana [HEAR FROM CHUCK]( [HEAR FROM CHUCK]( This work is about more than just environmental restoration. It’s about honoring the balance between people and nature, the same reciprocity that Chuck learned as a boy sitting in the forest, appreciating the peace and sustenance it provided. Now, as he helps guide this historic land return, he’s ensuring that the land will again sustain his people and surrounding communities for generations. Together with Indigenous communities like the Penobscot Nation, we’re protecting landscapes and legacies. [Read more about this historic effort and our role in ensuring a future where land and culture thrive together.]( Yours in conservation, Trust for Public Land P.S. This is such a rich story. [Read more here.]( 🌲 How important is restoring Wáhsehtəkʷ to you? 💚 [Very important]( 👍 [Somewhat important]( 🚫 [Not important]( [DONATE]( [DONATE]( Connecting everyone to the outdoors. We create parks and protect public land where they’re needed most so that everyone will have access to the benefits and joys of the outdoors for generations to come. This email was sent by Trust for Public Land to {EMAIL}. 23 Geary St. Suite 1000, San Francisco, CA 94108 [Trust for Public Land]( [Contact Us](mailto:donor.outreach@tpl.org) | [Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe](