Conserving Family Lands on Great Cranberry Island

A family with roots on Great Cranberry Island dating back to 1886 recently protected nearly 30 acres of land—in their words—“as a tribute to the people who handed it down to us.” The property stretches a half-mile from the large, shallow harbor known as “The Pool” to bold oceanfront on the island’s southern side. In between the wildlife-rich mudflats to the north and the cobble shore at the south are a beautiful array of spruce-fir woodlands and fields. The southern half of the property adjoins 28 acres of private conservation land on which Maine Coast Heritage Trust already holds an easement.

The four siblings who own the property—Malcolm Donald, Peter Donald, Deborah LaMontagne, and Susan Michalski—all shared a strong desire to keep much of their family’s land wild. “Coming from other places and seeing where relentless development can lead, we wanted to make sure that wouldn’t happen here,” says Malcolm Donald. “With the growing cost of maintaining the property and rising taxes, we knew it was time to act. We didn’t want to have to subdivide and develop the land or create a financial burden for our children.” After some discussion with MCHT and a conservation consultant, the family decided to donate an easement to MCHT on 10 acres bordering “The Pool,” and to offer MCHT their 19-acre oceanfront parcel at a small fraction of its appraised value. Proceeds from the sale will go toward maintenance costs and taxes to help keep the property affordable for the next generation.

“Many extended families with shared properties face questions and concerns similar to those of the Donalds—as families grow, buildings age, and maintenance costs and taxes rise,” observes project manager Bob DeForrest. “By taking a creative approach to these challenges, the Donalds were able to set aside some funds to maintain their family place, while preserving the land’s wild beauty, and helping to create a public preserve where others can enjoy a spectacular, oceanfront setting.” From the family’s vantage point, Malcolm Donald says, “this was the best thing for everybody.”

While maintaining the wild character of the property, MCHT plans to extend an existing foot trail through woodlands so that walkers can enjoy the cobble shores and expansive vista along the Island’s southern shore.