A federal, state, and local partnership created the 13 Mile Woods Community Forest in Errol, but it took one person’s vision and the dedication and perseverance of the town’s citizens to conserve the 5,300 acres of working forest land along the Androscoggin River known as Thirteen Mile Woods. The project was initially spearheaded by the late Fran Coffin, a former Select Board member who envisioned conserving the property as a working forest, and believed the property was an important recreational and economic development asset for Errol.

The Trust for Public Land helped the residents of Errol acquire the property, and in late 2005, conveyed it to a non-profit group established to manage their community forest, which includes nine miles of river frontage, as well as mature hardwood and softwood forests. The land also offers hiking, hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling opportunities. Located adjacent to the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, the property is an important wildlife corridor, containing rare flood plain forest and trout streams.