(ENN) -- The Nature Conservancy announced Tuesday that they will purchase 185,000 acres of remote Maine forest for $35.1 million from International Paper. This represents the largest conservation acquisition in the state's history.

The lands, in the far northwestern corner of the state, encompass some 286 square miles of unbroken forest, including a 40-mile stretch of the Upper St. John River, the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi.

"This acquisition will play a vital role in the conservancy's efforts to safeguard the nation's biodiversity," said John C. Sawhill, president and chief executive officer of The Nature Conservancy.

The conservancy will close on the deal before the year's end and begin working on a management plan for the tract. All of the property will be open for traditional uses, such as hunting, fishing and recreation.

"These forests, rivers and wetlands teem with wildlife and are rich in remote recreational opportunities. We intend to keep this resource undeveloped, undiminished and open forever for the people of Maine," said Kent Wommack, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Maine.

The lands encompass a third of the Upper St. John River, a 120-mile, free-flowing wilderness river that flows north from Baker Lake to the confluence with the Allagash River. The watershed is known for its abundance of moose, bear and other wildlife and boasts the second highest concentration of rare plants in Maine.

The Nature Conservancy will work with other conservation groups, such as the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and timber companies in the region to develop long-term protection strategies for the land.

"Whether you come to fish, to hunt, to hear the loons or to challenge the rapids, this land offers spectacular and unforgettable country that will remain intact for future generations to enjoy," said Jay Espy, president of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

The conservancy's $35.1 million purchase comes less than a week after The Conservation Fund purchased 296,000 acres of forest land in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire from Champion International for $76 million.

These deals come amid growing concerns about the preservation of Maine's vast open land amid recent sales of large blocks of the state. Nearly 15 percent of the state's land has been sold in the last three months, largely to timber and paper companies, said Wommack.

Maine is the nation's most heavily wooded state, with nearly 90 percent of it covered by forest.

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