Grand Prize winning photograph of Marshall Island, by John Rivers.

In addition to the grand prize, four other photos were chosen as winning entries for those trips in which submissions were made. The trip winners included Karen McFarland (Frenchboro Island), Sam Cohen (Northeast Creek), Alana Ranney (Hamilton Preserve), and Alec Richardson (Merchant Row).

Trip First Prize Photos

Karen McFarland (Frenchboro Island)	Alana Ranney (Hamilton Preserve)
Sam Cohen (Northeast Creek)	Alec Richardson (Merchant Row)

Thank you to all who submitted photos and congratulations to our five winners. We look forward to seeing each of you on one of next year's trips (schedule will be posted in the spring). Hopefully, you will entice others to join the quest to be crowned grand prize winner of the 2009 MCHT Field Trip Photo Contest.

(June 16th, 2008)  – Jed’s Island, an off-the-beaten-track gem of a destination for locals and visitors seeking a place to picnic, camp, or simply explore, is changing hands.  And as a result, the 13-acre island located off the shores of East Blue Hill in Morgan Bay will remain in its natural state and open to the public for many years to come. 

Since January of 2008 two land trusts, Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Blue Hill Heritage Trust, have been working together to raise the funds to complete a purchase of the island from its East Blue Hill family owners.  An attractive owner financing arrangement is providing the trusts time to raise the purchase price, which constitutes a significant investment in the future of Blue Hill Bay and the surrounding environs. 

“We are really glad to be working with these caring owners to keep Jed’s the way it is and available for people to continue gently enjoying it.  Many people have mentioned to me how much they care about Jed’s,” says Ciona Ulbrich, Project Manager at Maine Coast Heritage Trust. "Now we will be relying on those who care about the island to help fund its protection."

Named after early settler Jedediah Darling of East Blue Hill, Jed’s Island has a couple of small beaches, is covered mostly with mixed woods including some nice oaks, and has its own attached sand bar and islet.  The Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI) monitors the water quality in Morgan Bay and seal pupping activity on the ledges off Jed’s shores. 

"Jed's is one of only a few islands in upper Blue Hill Bay, and a real beauty. Bald eagles love it, seals love it, people love it. We are lucky to have the chance to protect it," notes Jim Dow, Blue Hill Heritage Trust Executive Director.

The island had been listed for sale for some time.  The family had long given permission for people to use the island, which made Jed’s not only integral to Morgan Bay’s scenery and wildlife habitat, but also valued by its many visitors over the years.

The land trusts have long been interested in Jed’s as an island to keep undeveloped and available to the public, but its price tag proved daunting.  However, various recent news stories of island conservation projects inspired the owners of Jed’s to think about their own island and its importance to the people and wildlife around it.  As a result, they decided to negotiate with the land trusts to find a way to preserve the island. As Marian Long, one of the owners recently shared, "An integral part of long term environmental health and sustainability is having each individual step up and take responsibility for leaving the world a better place. Helping to make Jed's Island become a land trust preserve constitutes such an action and it is personally very gratifying".

“Jed's Island has been on our "conservation wish list" for some time.  We are excited to work in partnership with MCHT to take advantage of the opportunity to conserve the island that has been provided by the former owners,” says Dow.  "We are hopeful that people will respond to the fundraising challenge now before us."

The two trusts will share responsibility for long-term stewardship of the island. Maine Coast Heritage Trust will own and manage the island, and keep it open to the public for gentle use.  Maine Coast Heritage Trust owns a number of islands preserves, and its stewardship staff are experienced in island management.  Blue Hill Heritage Trust will hold a conservation easement that will ensure that the island remains undeveloped and natural and will regularly monitor the island's condition and use.

Topsham: Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT), a statewide land conservation organization, announced today that Paul Gallay will become the Trust’s new president. Mr. Gallay has most recently served as the executive director of the Westchester Land Trust (WLT) in Bedford Hills, New York and he will start work at MCHT in mid July. “All of us at Maine Coast Heritage Trust are delighted that Paul will soon be joining our team,” said Tom Ireland, Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s board chair. “Paul’s superb leadership qualities, his passion for land conservation, and his impressive track record of success make him an excellent fit for the Trust.”

Maine Coast Heritage Trust searched nationwide to find a successor to Jay Espy, who left the Trust in November of last year. “I am truly honored to become Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s next president, and I am eager to begin working with the staff, board and council of this wonderful organization to pursue its conservation mission,” said Mr. Gallay. “The coast of Maine is a world renowned natural resource—one that is cherished by all who visit it and all who call it home. I look forward to joining with MCHT’s members and partners across Maine to protect the character of this special place.”

In eight years as the executive director of the Westchester Land Trust, Paul helped grow the Trust in a number of areas including: creating five local conservation chapters, facilitating significant investments in new staff and board leadership, and achieving a seven-fold increase in conserved lands. Prior to his work at WLT, Mr. Gallay served as the Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, where he managed a number of high profile environmental cleanup projects including coordinating state supervision of the closure of New York City’s largest landfill. Mr. Gallay is a graduate of Williams College, where he has taught as a Visiting Professor of Environmental Studies. He has a law degree from Columbia University. For more information about Mr. Gallay, please contact Maine Coast Heritage Trust at 729-7366.

About Maine Coast Heritage Trust
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 127,000 acres, and 275 entire coastal islands have been permanently protected. For more information, contact Richard Knox, Director of Communications at 207-729-7366.

Re-named award now includes $5,000 conservation gift

Topsham:  Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT), a statewide conservation organization, has named David Getchell Sr. as recipient of the 2007 Espy Land Heritage Award.  Each year MCHT presents the award to an individual, organization, or coalition for exemplary conservation efforts in Maine.  

"Dave Getchell is truly an outstanding conservationist, and his enthusiasm and work ethic are contagious.  His efforts have helped conserve some of Maine's most treasured landscapes, and have furthered the conservation ethic throughout the entire state," said David MacDonald, interim President of MCHT, when presenting the award at the Maine Land Conservation Conference this past weekend.  "Dave is a worthy recipient of the first Espy Land Heritage award and of the new $5,000 conservation gift," added MacDonald.

Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Getchell was founder of the Maine Island Trail Association, co-founder of the North American Water Trails Association, founder of the Georges River Land Trust Conservation Trails Program, and inspiration behind the Georges Highland Path (an ambitious project involving nearly 40 different private landowners along a 36-mile footpath), and Honorary Director of the Friends of Baxter State Park.  

In receiving the award, Mr. Getchell emphasized the importance of good relationships with landowners and a well educated public in creating conservation success.  "In these somewhat cynical times, it is heartening to see so many private landowners willing to share their land with a caring public. In my experience, the vast majority of hikers and boaters do not need policing and strict rules but instead respond with respect and appreciation for the privilege of enjoying these beautiful places."

In honor outgoing president Jay Espy, the board of Directors at MCHT renamed the Land Heritage Award the Espy Land Heritage Award, and created a fund that will award $5,000 per year - with the winner able to direct the funds to the conservation charity of their choice.  Mr. Getchell has chosen to direct his cash award to the Maine Island Trail Association, the Georges River Land Trust, and the Friends of Baxter State Park.

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 127,000 acres and 275 entire coastal islands have been permanently protected.  For more information, contact Rich Knox, Director of Communications and Public Policy at 207-729-7366.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust, area landowners partner on effort

Topsham: Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT), a statewide land conservation organization, today announced that it has protected four adjacent properties along the Bold Coast in eastern Maine totaling 1,500 acres. The newly conserved land includes nearly two miles of scenic shore frontage, spanning from Moose Cove in Trescott, to Bog Brook Cove in Cutler.

“Together, these properties include an incredible variety of natural resources that are valued by local residents and visitors alike,” said David MacDonald, MCHT’s interim President. “In the coming months MCHT will be creating plans to allow public access to the cobble beaches, headlands, grasslands, pond, and streams contained within these spectacular lands.”

The largest of the properties, Bog Brook Cove, contains 88 acres of productive blueberry barrens, which are currently leased to local growers, and MCHT plans to keep them in production. In addition to being a sustainable economic resource for the region, the barrens provide excellent habitat for marsh hawks and other grassland birds. The property also contains Norse Pond, an important freshwater resource for waterfowl and wading birds.

The newly protected properties add to other conserved lands in the area. The western side of Bog Brook connects to the 12,000 acre Cutler Coast Unit, managed by the State Department of Conservation. The eastern side of the Moose Cove parcel connects to a heath that MCHT conserved in 2005. Together these conservation successes add up to more than 13,500 acres of adjacent conserved land—a landscape large enough to support wide-ranging mammals such as black bear, bobcat and fisher.

The Bog Brook Cove parcel contains a clustered homestead that was owned by Jack and Katharine Pierce of Falmouth. The homestead provided MCHT leverage to extend conservation to the adjacent Moose Cove lands through a creative land-for-structures swap. The owners at Moose Cove, Alan Pederson and David Dixon, had planned to develop the Moose Cove land, but chose instead to swap the land in exchange for ownership of the homestead area at Bog Brook Cove. “I was thrilled when MCHT approached us about conserving Moose Cove,” said Mr. Pederson. “Being able to live in this area, without needing to add development pressure was a win-win.” MCHT retains a conservation easement on the 35 acre homestead now owned by Pederson and Dixon, as well as a right of first refusal should they decide to sell this in-holding.

Local support for the project has been positive, and MCHT is sensitive to the tax implications of conserving these parcels—having already begun talking with the towns about potential impacts. In reacting to the news, one member of the Town of Cutler Board of Assessors said, “As more and more people come to understand the value of natural resources like Bog Brook Cove for our community and our State, we’ll become even more thankful that this land has been conserved over time.”

MCHT has received generous financial support for this project from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, and the Pew Charitable Trusts through its Northeast Land Trust Consortium, and has a proposal pending with the Land for Maine’s Future Program. “We have until August to raise the balance of our needed funds for this ambitious project,” says MacDonald. “And are grateful to the generous and conservation minded landowners who gave us the opportunity to work with them.”

Contacts:

David MacDonald, Interim President, MCHT, 207-244-5100
Rich Knox, Director of Communications, MCHT, 207-729-7366

About Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a statewide land conservation organization committed to protecting the character of Maine. Since 1970, Maine Coast Heritage Trust has permanently protected more than 127, 000 acres in Maine, from the Isles of Shoals to Cobscook Bay, including more than 275 entire coastal islands. Working together with landowners, land trusts, and other community partners, Maine Coast Heritage Trust conserves and stewards coastal lands and islands for their renowned scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, ecological diversity, and working landscapes. A membership and nonprofit organization, Maine Coast Heritage Trust counts on the ongoing support from members and people who love the coast of Maine.

Rockport. Three organizations that work to preserve land –Maine Farmland Trust, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and Coastal Mountains Land Trust—have joined forces to protect a large tract of local farmland from development and to keep it working.

The property, which is located on the south side of Route 90 less than a mile west of Route 1, has been on the market for over a year. Once part of the Erickson Farm, the parcel contains about 35 acres of highly visible fields and about 60 acres of wooded backland. The fields are currently utilized by Aldermere Farm, which is a program of Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

Maine Farmland Trust purchased the property on July 19, with the goal to permanently protect all of the open farmland and a good portion of woodland through an agricultural conservation easement. Maine Farmland Trust—a statewide organization with headquarters in Belfast—has helped preserve 10,000 acres of working farmland since its founding in 1999, often in partnership with local land trusts. This is its first project in the Camden/Rockport area.

“This is an important project for us and for the area,” explains John Piotti, Maine Farmland Trust’s executive director. “Mid-coast Maine is full of opportunities to boost local farming, but only if we can retain the land base.”

The easement that permanently preserves the property will likely be held by Coastal Mountains Land Trust, which stewards 5,825 acres of conservation land in the area. Once protected, the farmland will be conveyed to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, ensuring that the fields are forever available to Aldermere Farm.

“The site contains good hay land and pastureland,” says Ron Howard, who manages Aldermere Farm, known for its trademark Belted Galloways. “It’s very valuable to our operation now, and is critical to our future success.”

Beyond retaining working farmland and scenic vistas, this property also provides opportunities for local recreation and perhaps creative educational and community opportunities, said Howard. The land is located close to the Rockport Elementary School, the independent Ashwood School, and the Camden/Rockport High School.

The property sold for $965,000. Maine Farmland Trust has secured a federal grant that will cover about a third of the cost. A small portion of the woodland could be re-sold to raise additional funds. But most of the remaining funds will come from local fundraising.

Project partners will soon launch a fundraising effort, in conjunction with the Fund for Rockport’s Future, an initiative authorized in Rockport’s Comprehensive Plan. As described by Charlton Ames, who chaired the Comprehensive Plan Committee, the Fund for Rockport’s Future is intended to help protect critical properties for future generations and for innovative community projects.

"We believe that the local community will be very supportive of farmland projects,” says Ames. “The Erickson Farm is a great place to start given its rural character and value to the community."

The recent purchase does not include portions of the Erickson family land that lie north of Route 90. This land is also on the market. Project partners are interested in exploring the possibility of ultimately acquiring it as well.

Contacts:

• John Piotti, Maine Farmland Trust, 338-6575
• Ron Howard, Aldermere Farm, 236-2739

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently acquired Jordan’s Delight, an island offering prime habitat for nesting seabirds, from Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT), a statewide land conservation organization. Located in Narraguagus Bay in Washington County, the island will be managed as part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, according to Refuge Manager Charlie Blair.

The Service assumed ownership of 27 acres of the 30-acre island in June. The acquisition excludes a 3-acre conservation easement that allows members of the family that previously donated the island to the Trust to maintain a small house and to visit the island when the seabirds are not nesting.

“The Service would not have had the opportunity to protect this important seabird nesting area without the generosity of a conservation-minded family and Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s dedicated stewardship of our coastal resources. It is due to this successful partnership that Jordan’s Delight is now part of the National Wildlife Refuge System,” said Blair.

Seabirds that nest on the island include black-backed gull, herring gull, double-crested cormorant, common eider, Leach’s storm petrel, and black guillemont.

"MCHT is pleased to have been able to play a role in saving Jordan's Delight - one of Maine's most beautiful and diverse nesting islands," said David MacDonald, Director of Land Protection at Maine Coast Heritage Trust. "With the generosity of a private family and the long-term stewardship commitment of the refuge, together we were able to bring this island back from the brink of development."

Jordan’s Delight is within the approved boundaries for the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and is immediately east of other refuge properties including Bois Bubert Island and Petit Manan Point Division.

The island originally came on the market in 2000 for $1.6 million. At that time, a 3,000 square foot house was under construction on the island. An anonymous private family foundation acquired the island to conserve the property's sensitive features. The foundation donated 27 acres to MCHT, with the hope that MCHT would remove the large house and restore the island to its natural state. The Trust deconstructed the house in 2001, restored the damaged habitat, and provided interim ownership and management of the island until the USFWS could secure appropriated funding from the LWCF to purchase the property this June at a sale price of $70,000.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 97-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 547 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. (http://www.fws.gov)

Maine Coast Heritage Trust conserves and stewards Maine’s coastal lands and islands for their renowned scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, ecological diversity and working landscapes. MCHT promotes the conservation of natural places statewide by working with land trusts, communities and other partners. Founded in 1970, the trust was a pioneer in the use of conservation easements as a way to protect land. Since this time we have worked to protect more than 125,000 acres in Maine, including more than 250 entire coastal islands. (http://www.mcht.org)

For immediate release: July 12, 2007

For further information:

• Charlie Blair, refuge manager, 207-546-2124
• David MacDonald, MCHT, 207-244-5100

Images available for download at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/images.html

“Tin Smith is truly an outstanding conservationist, and an individual of the highest integrity.  His efforts have helped conserve some of Southern Maine’s most treasured landscapes, and have furthered the conservation ethic throughout the entire state,” said Jay Espy, President of MCHT, when presenting the award at the Maine Land Conservation Conference.  Among his many accomplishments, Tin was a founding member of the Great Works Regional Land Trust (GWRLT) and has served that organization as a volunteer for 20 years, including 6 years as its President.  During his time there, GWRLT has grown into an organization served by two staff members supported by more than 900 active members with stewardship responsibilities for protected lands encompassing 3,400 acres in Wells, the Berwicks, Eliot, and Ogunquit.

Under his leadership, Great Works joined first the Mt. Agamenticus coalition and then the broader Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Initiative and he served as one of the Tri-Chairs of both those successful land conservation efforts. 

Tin helped launch the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm Farm and currently serves as its stewardship coordinator.  Paul Dest, the manager of the Reserve, reacted to the news of the award saying, “Tin’s personal commitment to land conservation are reflected in his persistence, optimism, strong work ethic—qualities that have enabled him to be a true conservation leader for our region.  We’re so grateful for all of the contributions he has made to our community—and the humble way in which he goes about his work.”

In 1998, Tin spearheaded the creation of the Coastal Mosaic Project at the Reserve, which was a pioneering effort that provided natural resource data, maps, and information to land trusts and other conservation groups to assist in conservation planning.  In recent years the Coastal Mosaic Project has evolved into one of Maine’s top-flight GIS centers in Southern Maine.  Tin also helped found the Maine Land Trust Network, an education and training resource for land trusts across the state.

At a personal level, Tin is dedicated to caring for the land.  A resident of Wells, he is an active organic farmer and works on behalf of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association certifying organic farms and sharing his in depth knowledge of organic farming practices. 

Topsham: Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) today reported that it is on track to complete nearly 40 land conservation projects in 2006, including the permanent protection of eight entire coastal islands. These results on the Maine coast mirror solid gains across the country—the Land Trust Alliance recently reported that total acres conserved by land trusts increased 54% to 37 million acres in the past five years.

“Coastal communities in Maine are seeing direct benefits from land protection,” said MCHT president Jay Espy. “Working with landowners, local land trusts, and other partners like the Land for Maine’s Future program, we’re helping to ensure public access to the coast, to conserve important wildlife habitat, and to protect traditional settings that are a part of Maine’s economic and cultural heritage.”

• In York County, MCHT continued its work as a partner in the Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Coalition. This year the Coalition conserved an additional 250 acres of threatened lands—including 2200 feet of frontage on the York River that provide expansive salt marsh habitat and an undeveloped upland buffer for wildlife.
• MCHT continued stewardship work on preserves in Casco Bay. At MCHT’s Malaga Island preserve, the Trust collaborated with archeologists from the University of Southern Maine who are studying the island’s historic settlement. On nearby Flag Island (conserved by MCHT in 2001), MCHT assisted the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with their study to determine reproductive success of eider ducks in the bay.
• Partnering with conservation minded landowners, MCHT worked to improve existing protection on Monroe Island, a 225-acre gem off Owls Head. A new conservation agreement permanently restricts development on the island, ensuring that 223 acres will remain undisturbed—protecting important wildlife habitat and preserving beautiful views from Owls Head Light State Park and the Vinalhaven and North Haven ferry routes.


MCHT has conserved nearly seven miles of pristine shoreline at the Basin in Vinalhaven. Credit: Christina Epperson

• On Vinalhaven, MCHT capped a twenty year effort to conserve the shores of The Basin, a scenic and ecological landmark of statewide significance. In partnership with Vinalhaven Land Trust and local landowners, MCHT has now helped protect more than 750 acres of land surrounding this spectacular tidal inlet, including nearly seven miles of shore frontage.
• In 2006, MCHT began a multi-year study of interactions between sheep and seabirds at four islands off Addison that have traditionally been grazed: Nash Island, Big Nash Island (which is privately owned), Flat Island and the Ladle. Learning more about these changes will help inform MCHT’s future management decisions and should be helpful to owners of other islands where sheep and seabirds coexist.


Assisted by a grant from the Land for Maine's Future Program, MCHT is helping the town of Machiasport to conserve Jasper Beach, a popular destination for walking and picnicking.

• Among the Trust’s highlights in eastern Maine was the conservation of Jasper Beach (a traditional public recreation destination in Machiasport), a partnership with the Passamaquoddy tribe to protect an ancient petroglyph site and important wildlife habitat, and several conservation successes in the Mount Desert Island region.

MCHT’s accomplishments on the Maine coast reflect the statewide and national trend of balancing economic growth with the protection of places that preserve the quality of local communities. The recently released Brookings Report shows how the protection of “quality places” can be one of the keys to Maine’s growth in the years ahead. “An unspoiled coast is a vital resource for a variety of important Maine industries—from tourism to boat building to fishing. Voluntary land conservation gives Mainers the tools and resources they need to protect the character of the Maine Coast for future generations,” said Espy.

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 123,000 acres, and 265 entire coastal islands have been permanently protected. For more information, contact Richard Knox, Director of Communications and Public Policy 207-729-7366

Contact: Rich Knox, Director of Communications, MCHT, 729-7366

“We are truly grateful for the generosity shown by the individuals who donated this land,” said Ciona Ulbrich, local project manager for MCHT. Ulbrich added, “With this valuable gift, the local community can now enjoy more than 180 protected acres at Witherle Woods for walking, cross country skiing, and nature observation at this beautiful coastal preserve.”

Thanks to a number of conservation minded landowners, Witherle Woods has been available to generations of Castine residents and others from nearby communities for recreational activities. In 1985, the Hatch family donated 96.5 acres of what was once Witherle Park to Maine Coast Heritage Trust so that it would be forever protected in its natural state. In 1995, the Foote family made a similar donation of 36 adjacent acres.

MCHT purchased a 19-acre addition to the preserve from the Perkins estate in 2002. Local residents will recall that a second parcel within the Perkins Estate was the subject of a town effort to acquire the land as open space – but a bond put before local voters lost by a mere four votes. Many were concerned at the time when that second parcel was listed for sale by the estate. As it turns out, the parcel was purchased by a private buyer with strong conservation interests – and four years later this generous owner is now fulfilling the hopes of many in town by donating the land to MCHT for lasting protection.

“In the past, the community of Castine has been very supportive of conservation of this treasured resource, and we hope that the community will welcome this gift as gladly as we have,” said Ulbrich.

The Witherle Woods contain red and white spruce, balsam fir, and several hardwood stands. The woods are home to a variety of wildlife, including pileated woodpeckers, osprey and deer. Occasionally, bald eagles can be seen soaring overhead, riding the breezes of Penobscot Bay. The Witherle Woods preserve offers a variety of hiking trails for the public to enjoy.

About Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a statewide land conservation organization committed to protecting the character of Maine. Since 1970, Maine Coast Heritage Trust has permanently protected more than 121,000 acres in Maine, from the Isles of Shoals to Cobscook Bay, including more than 260 entire coastal islands. Working together with landowners, land trusts, and other community partners, Maine Coast Heritage Trust conserves and stewards coastal lands and islands for their renowned scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, ecological diversity, and working landscapes. A membership and nonprofit organization, Maine Coast Heritage Trust counts on the ongoing support from members and people who love the coast of Maine. For more information, visit www.mcht.org.