In October 2022, the Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT) asked Reel Quest Films to produce a collection of still photos and this three minute nature video depicting one of their “Ambassador Preserves” in Maine. In remote central Maine, Alder Stream Wilderness Preserve covers 7,296 acres bordering Alder Stream, West Branch Dead Stream, and the Piscataquis River in the unincorporated township of Atkinson. These wildlands contain mature American chestnut trees, expansive wetlands, and Atlantic salmon habitat. In addition, Northeast Wilderness Trust holds an easement on another 6,500 acres in the vicinity of Alder Stream Wilderness Preserve. These lands are privately owned and were originally protected by the Sweet Water Trust in 2007. When the Sweet Water Trust transitioned to become the Sweet Water Fund in 2021, this forever-wild easement was transferred to Northeast Wilderness Trust. Cumulatively between this easement and Alder Stream Wilderness Preserve, the Wilderness Trust safeguards more than 13,000 acres in the Piscataquis River watershed.

Reel Quest founder Jerry Monkman spent about four days exploring Alder Stream via canoe and on foot to create the stunning nature imagery seen above.

This project was one of three that Reel Quest Films produced for NEWT in 2022. If you enjoy this one, you may also like the other videos in this series: Blue Mountain Wilderness Sanctuary and Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve.

Just added: our 2023 NEWT ‘Trilogy’: https://reelquestfilms.com/project/2023-wilderness-preserve-trilogy/