ORONO — A $7 million grant from the National Science Foundation will fund a four-year statewide collaborative project led by the University of Maine to foster resilient forest communities in Maine.

Maine-FOREST, or Forest-based Opportunities for Resilient Economy, Sustainability and Technology, will expand the state’s research and educational capacity to connect human and ecosystem focused innovations and services. The project takes an integrated thematic approach to fuel the state’s forest-based economy and the rural communities it supports.

Key targets of the project include artificial intelligence and informatics; wood-derived alternatives to plastic, concrete and more called cellulosic nanofiber bioproducts; rural and Wabanaki resilience; and economically diverse rural development, according to a news release from Erin Miller with the university.

Maine-FOREST will ultimately nurture adaptive community resilience and strengthen the capacity of rural communities and the Wabanaki Nations to respond to current and future socio-ecological threats and opportunities.

The grant provides $4.5 million for scholarly activities at UMaine as well as $2.5 million for collaborative activities led by project partners across the state that include nonprofits, private colleges and three additional University of Maine System campuses. The award also includes an opportunity to secure an additional $4.5 million to extend Maine-FOREST for three additional years.

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