sentences:  The tract is part of the 1.1 million acres (4,500 km²) of Maine forest sold in 2005 by International Paper (IP) to the Seven Islands Land Company, a private forest investment management holding company.In 2007, the research forest was purchased by Northeast Wilderness Trust ensuring its wild and natural state into the future.The Howland Forest is a founding member of the AmeriFlux and FLUXNET research networks.