WHEREAS, Maine’s maple sugarbush provides recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, pulp and fire wood, a source of a natural sweetener, and forest management for the communities where they are located; and

WHEREAS, the maple sugar industry contributes an estimated $55 million to Maine’s economy; and

WHEREAS, this industry provides a sustainable source of income, over 800 full- and part-time jobs in rural Maine, and nearly $27 million in salaries; and

WHEREAS, there are about 2,000,000 maple tree taps in Maine and there is the potential capacity for 41,000,000 more taps; and

WHEREAS, Maine produces 575,000 gallons of syrup annually, valued at $27 million; and

WHEREAS, Maine is the 3rd leading state producing maple syrup, behind Vermont and New York; and

WHEREAS, Maine is renowned for the excellent quality of its syrup because of our soil, climate, and the dedication of our sugar makers; and

WHEREAS, Maine was among the first states to open its sugar houses and invite the public in to see how syrup is made; and

WHEREAS, March 26, 2023 marks the 40th annual celebration of Maine Maple Sunday;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the fourth weekend in March, March 25th and 26th, 2023, as

Maine Maple Sunday Weekend

throughout the state, and I encourage all Maine people to celebrate the world class products – and people – that make Maine unique.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twenty second day of March Two Thousand Twenty-Three