BIDDEFORD —  A group of conservationists is down to the wire trying to preserve a parcel of undeveloped land in Biddeford. 

Tom Bradbury, executive director of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, said they need $286,000 by next Thursday to purchase 97 acres of land off Granite Point Road and a small island near the mouth of the Little River, known as Timber Point.

The Ewing family is willing to sell the land for $5.125 million. Members of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, along with the Trust for Public Land, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Friends of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge put out a call in July to raise funds. At the time, $3 million from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and more than $525,000 from private donations had been secured. 

“So we’re encouraging people to donate, tell their friends and remain optimistic, as we are almost there,” Bradbury said.  

Those interested in helping these organizations can send checks designated ”Save Timber Point” to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 7004, Cape Porpoise, ME 04014. For more information, go to www.kporttrust.org/timber-point or call 967-3465.