Strong Year For Coastal Conservation
Gains in Maine reflect national trend of increased conservation
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.
- 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.
- 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 has conserved nearly seven miles of pristine shoreline at the Basin in Vinalhaven. Credit: Christina Epperson
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.
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
