TOPSHAM

In 2016 Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a statewide land conservation organization, made significant investments in expanding and improving public access to the Maine coast, offering recreational and educational opportunities to enrich the lives and improve the health of thousands of Mainers. “Conserved lands bring so many benefits the people of Maine,” said MCHT’s President Tim Glidden. “With such limited access to the coast, communities across Maine are partnering with conservation groups to do what they can to expand this precious resource.”

At the Goslings Islands in Casco Bay, MCHT hosted an open house this summer, providing boat transport for nearly 100 residents of local communities to enjoy one of the region’s most beloved public preserves. In 2016 the Trust worked to improve campsites on the island that are free and open to the public. In Wiscasset, MCHT conserved and donated White’s Island to the Town, which has plans to restore a footbridge to the island and assure access as a downtown park.

In the Midcoast, MCHT worked with many partners to permanently conserve 280 acres at National Audubon’s Hog Island in Bremen, guaranteeing public access to the island’s extensive trail system. The Friends of Hog Island were a lead partner and President Juanita Roushdy remarked, “We’ve worked hard to make the community feel welcome there, enjoying the trails and campsites on the southern end. We’re relieved to know that Hog Island will never be developed further. It is one of Bremen’s major natural resources.” And in Tenant’s Harbor, MCHT completed the conservation of High Island, assuring that the tradition of the Blueberry Cove 4H camp can continue for young campers. The island will also have permanent public access for those wishing to enjoy the shoreline and new trails.

Further east, this summer MCHT helped the town of Stonington create a “pocket park” amongst the downtown waterfront for families to enjoy, including park benches, picnic tables and a swing set. Town Manager Kathleen Billings said, “All of us in Town are just so pleased with this new park. It just brings such a bright spot downtown where there used to be a blighted property. It’s great for kids and families.” In nearby Brooklin, MCHT made improvements to its new Harriman Point preserve, a spectacular undeveloped 138 acre peninsula on east Blue Hill Bay. A parking area was created, trails were improved and a welcome kiosk was installed. Information is available at mcht.org/preserves.

In Milbridge, MCHT continued its partnership with a local gardening group to create public community gardens and recreation space on a downtown waterfront parcel. “We hope to revive the strong down east tradition of family gardening and acquaint area students with that—without this land we couldn’t do it,” said Pam Dyer Stewart of the Milbridge Woman’s Health Resource Library, which helped spearhead the project.

“All of these projects, and dozens of others by MCHT and local land trusts throughout Maine exemplify the diversity of benefits being brought to all Maine residents and communities statewide by land conservation groups,” Glidden reflected. We are grateful to all of the individuals, partners and supporters that make this work possible.”

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a statewide land conservation organization dedicated to protecting land that is essential to the character of Maine, its coastline and islands in particular. Since 1970, more than 144,000 acres, and 300 entire coastal islands have been permanently protected. For more information, contact Richard Knox, Director of Communications at 207-729-7366, or visit www.mcht.org.