As a Regional Steward, Kirk's job, among other things, is to oversee the management of MCHT's protected areas on Vinalhaven. Throughout the year, Kirk also leads dozens of tours for MCHT members and folks in the community to explore the island's amazing natural places and to provide insights into the area's native flora and fauna. In fact, this winter he has scheduled three snowshoe/winter walks for different regions surrounding the Basin.

The Basin is a spectacular natural area that has been jointly protected and is jointly managed by MCHT and the Vinalhaven Land Trust. A collection of preserves and land protected with conservation easements, the Basin is comprised of more than 1,000 acres of diverse coastal habitats and is blessed with many miles of hiking trails. In sum, it provides an ideal backdrop for snowshoe enthusiasts in search of resident wildlife and captivating coastal scenery.

This winter's first excursion is scheduled for Sunday, January 29, with two more to follow on Saturdays, February 11 and 25. Vinalhaven can be reached via a 75-minute ferry from Rockland. In addition to offering stunning views of the Camden Hills and the islands of Penobscot Bay, the ferry ride provides an excellent opportunity to view sea ducks and other marine animals. If you cannot make it to Vinalhaven this winter, stay tuned for future opportunities this spring and summer. The island is a great place to view returning songbirds and resident raptors.

Whether or not you are able to join Kirk on an upcoming walk and talk, one thing you definitely do not want to miss is the Vinalhaven Sightings Report. Jointly sponsored by MCHT and VLT, this engaging blog provides regular updates on what Kirk and others are encountering on their adventures throughout the wild places of Vinalhaven. The blog is updated roughly twice a month and includes captivating photography, short videos, informative insights, and even a bit of humor. The most recent post brings to life Maine's coastal environment in the heart of winter.

For more information on upcoming field trips on Vinalhaven or to learn more about the Vinalhaven Sightings Report, please contact Kirk Gentalen. If you are coming from the mainland and would like to participate in one of the field trips, please contact Kirk in advance so he can make sure ample transportation will be available on the island.

"It has been a remarkable year and a particularly busy December," said MCHT's President Tim Glidden, who started with MCHT this year. "We are grateful to all of the landowners who showed vision and generosity in conserving their properties for future generations, and to our invaluable partners at public agencies and local land trusts throughout the state."

2011 was a year in which MCHT played an integral role in helping to expand protection of existing public parks, providing welcome support to public agencies trying to make ends meet. At the local level, MCHT offered financial assistance and technical expertise in facilitating the City of Biddeford's successful effort to expand its beloved Clifford Park. Further down the coast in Lubec, the Trust helped to permanently protect a valuable access point for local clammers and fishermen.

Partnering with Department of Interior agencies, MCHT strengthened recreational opportunities at Acadia National Park and expanded seabird nesting islands within the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. On Mount Desert Island, the Trust conserved two tracts along Lower Hadlock Pond and Round Pond that will ultimately be conveyed to Acadia National Park. At the same time, MCHT transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service North Twinnie and Sally Island, two islands that provide essential habitat for a variety of coastal birds.

In 2011, MCHT also worked with the Maine Departments of Conservation and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to enhance existing state-owned public lands in the mid-coast. In January, the Trust provided strategic funding to help add critical parcels to Camden Hills State Park. By late August, MCHT had closed on Treat Point, a scenic peninsula in Frankfort that will soon be added to an existing Wildlife Management Area.

Local State Senator Christopher Rector of Knox County commented, "As a longtime supporter of voluntary land conservation, I welcome the additions to Camden Hills State Park, a vital asset to the communities I serve. This is a wonderful example of how effective private and public partnerships can be, even in tough economic times."

During 2011, MCHT also acquired a number of new preserves and made significant additions to existing ones. In June, the Trust announced the creation of the Kitteredge Brook Forest Preserve, a wildlife-rich, 516-acre forest and wetland oasis in the heart of Mount Desert Island. MCHT also added a number of small island preserves, including Green Island, a seabird nesting area in Toothacher Bay, and Battle Island, a popular picnic area for paddlers in the Bagaduce River.

Highlighting additions to existing MCHT preserves was the donation of Rich's Head, a scenic promontory on Frenchboro Long Island. The Trust also added key parcels to two preserves in Washington County protected in recent years with help from the State's Land for Maine's Future program: Bog Brook Cove and Sipp Bay.

Culminating a year of fruitful partnerships, the Trust played a key role in the first successful steps toward conservation of spectacular landholdings adjacent to Acadia National Park on the Schoodic Peninsula. MCHT plans to work closely with the new landowner, Friends of Acadia, the Park Service, and other local interests to ensure these lands not only strengthen the Park, but the surrounding communities as well.

News Release: December 20, 2011

Schoodic Lands Acquired by Conservation Investment Firm

Winter Harbor: The Lyme Timber Company LP (Lyme Timber) today announced that it has purchased approximately 3,200 acres of land on the Schoodic Peninsula in Winter Harbor from Winter Harbor Holdings, LLC. The property is completely undeveloped, consisting primarily of woodland and wetlands. The southern portion of the property lies adjacent to the Schoodic District of Acadia National Park and contains more than a mile of shore frontage, including 15- acre Sargent’s Island. “We are delighted to have acquired this important parcel,” said Peter Stein, managing director at Lyme Timber. “The property is an important local/regional resource with significant ecological value, and we are pleased at the opportunity to ensure the future of its natural resources.”

Three years ago, the former owners proposed a large scale “eco-resort” for the property, with hundreds of villas, resorts and a golf course. For a variety of reasons, these plans never materialized, and after extensive negotiations over the last twelve months, Winter Harbor Holdings made the decision to sell to Lyme Timber.

In the coming months, Lyme Timber intends to work with Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT), a statewide land conservation organization, Friends of Acadia, and other stakeholders to create a plan for the property that takes into account its conservation values and considers appropriate resource development. Following its purchase, Lyme Timber entered into an option agreement with MCHT, giving it the opportunity in the future to acquire a conservation easement on the southern portion of the property. “We look forward to working with Lyme Timber to advance our shared goals of conserving this land that means so much to the Schoodic Peninsula and the people of Maine,” said Tim Glidden, president of MCHT.

“We congratulate Lyme Timber for negotiating this historic opportunity,” said Marla O’Byrne, Friends of Acadia president and CEO, “and are pleased to support them and MCHT in an effort that is so important to the Acadia region.”

The Lyme Timber Company is a private timberland investment management organization with a long track record of acquiring and sustainably managing lands with unique conservation values. Lyme Timber has worked on numerous rural real estate investments in Maine over the last two decades, typically on lands adjacent to State or National Parks, including projects at Bar Harbor, Donnell Pond, Nicatouas Lake, Grand Lake Stream, and Amherst.

Contact: Peter R. Stein, Managing Director, The Lyme Timber Company, 603-643-3300

The effort to transition to organic has been spearheaded by MCHT's Regional Steward Melissa Lee. It has been a challenging initiative to organize, but as Melissa recently commented, "Being a conservation organization that prides itself on protecting some of Maine's most spectacular natural areas, MCHT has a responsibility to minimize our impact on the land and to lead by example."

Through the years the Bog Brook blueberry fields have been subjected to at least eleven different chemicals to help control a variety of weeds, insects, and fungi. While the overall impact on the larger ecosystem from these chemicals has not been fully understood, MCHT decided there was a need to transition to organic. As Regional Steward Melissa Lee explained, "Apart from minimizing the use of chemicals on a popular MCHT preserve, the hope is that lessons will be learned from which others may also benefit."

As expected, the Trust has quickly discovered that organic blueberry management is far more labor-intensive than conventional practices. In 2011, MCHT employed college students for more than 750 hours to hand weed 30 acres, nearly half of the total. At the same time, sulfur was spread across the entirety of the preserve's blueberry fields. The hope is that sulfur will prove to be effective in limiting competition from other plants.

In addition to addressing unwanted vegetation, all blueberry growers must deal with deleterious insects. The blueberry maggot fly, for example, can significantly undermine the quality of the harvested product. MCHT has reduced the impact of this pest by using traps and sticky tape. Not being adept at flying, the flies often succumb to the sticky tape which is strung at the height of the blueberry plants. "We are still gauging the effectiveness of these techniques, but will continue to keep a close eye on the insects in the fields," shared Lee.

In addition to discouraging unwanted insects, MCHT has been busy introducing beneficial pollinating ones as well. Throughout the year a number of bee-friendly activities were completed, including: boy scouts setting up fifty nest boxes to aid native bee species, the renting of honey bees, and the purchase of Maine bumble bees. These activities were conducted not only to enhance current pollination efforts, but to increase future bee populations in the area.

While transitioning Bog Brook blueberries to organic has value by itself, MCHT hopes to serve as a model for other growers. To assist in this effort, the Trust has partnered with a researcher who had worked for several years at the University of Maine at Orono. She has been busy collecting data and compiling the results so that they can be useful for other growers interested in shifting to organic or reducing their chemical usage.

From the beginning, an important part of this project has been local support. One critical partner has been the Washington County Commissioners. Through their TIF Advisory Board, the county has provided critical funding to support this project. Another key partner has been the Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF), an organization that already manages organic blueberry fields. MCHT has not only learned from their experiences, but, at the same time, has shared with them the research conducted at Bog Brook Cove. Dedicated to conserving wild Atlantic salmon habitat in Eastern Maine, DSF sees this effort as an opportunity to reduce the number of chemicals that make their way into the salmon rivers of Washington County.

While it is too early to accurately assess the success and future feasibility of managing the blueberries organically at the Bog Brook Cove Preserve, the early indications have been positive. In the meantime, MCHT will continue to manage these productive fields, fields that produced more than 47,000 pounds of tasty blueberries in 2011.

The L.L.Bean Maine Land Trust Grant Program is administered by MCHT through its Land Trust Program and provides strategic funding to Maine land trusts for stewardship. The purpose of this grant program is to provide strategic funding to Maine land trusts for stewardship activities, specifically projects that enhance public access to conserved lands, strengthen a trust's stewardship capabilities, or facilitate preserve management planning. In addition to meeting one of these priority goals, land trust applicants are encouraged to partner with other land trusts, non-profits, municipal governments, schools, and community organizations.

Among a competitive pool of ten applicants, these seven organizations were recently awarded grants for 2011-2012. In total, the program will be providing $22,750 for the following projects:

• $5,000 to Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust to construct a pedestrian bridge across Clay Brook in Topsham to connect two trail networks and a planned municipal park, resulting in 7 miles of connected trails.
• $3,250 to Georges River Land Trust for materials to create a one-mile trail that connects two town-owned properties in St. George, thus expanding outdoor opportunities for the midcoast Maine community.
• $4,747 to Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust to mark and maintain two miles of boundary in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands, increasing stewardship capacity, building their volunteer base, and strengthening relationships with neighbors.
• $5,000 to Kennebec Estuary Land Trust to support the Overlook Trail upgrade at Thorne Head Preserve, which will provide recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.
• $1,000 to Kennebec Land Trust for mapping GIS work related to trail assessment, planning and creation of a public recreational trails map for their Mt. Pisgah Conservation Area in Winthrop.
• $2,550 to Kittery Land Trust to support an AmeriCorps work team as it helps build three miles of new trails at the Norton Preserve.
• $1,203 to Mahoosuc Land Trust, Inc. to hire outside contractors to support enhancements to preserve signage, improving outreach and increasing community support.

An innovative youth development effort of the Maine Sea Coast Mission, EdGE works to engage middle school students in communities in coastal Washington County from Sullivan to Jonesport. The program is designed to encourage youth to stay engaged in school, aspire towards and attain higher levels of achievement, and develop the personal skills that will enable them to achieve success. EdGE's goals are pursued using a wide range of interdisciplinary and experiential curriculum, including outdoor pursuits.

In May, Deirdre led a group of EdGE students on a tour of MCHT's Frank E. Woodworth Preserve in Harrington to learn more about the region's coastal ecology. More recently, Deirdre spent a weekend with a dozen 7th and 8th graders at the Wigwams, a Downeast Rivers Land Trust property on the Machias River in the Columbia blueberry barrens.

The weekend's activities kicked-off on Friday afternoon. Awaiting a frosty evening, participants changed into outdoor clothing and long johns. Once everyone was appropriately attired, trip leaders cooked dinner over an open fire and shared stories about the Machias: recalling log drives of the past as well as Native American's historical uses of the area.

Keeping warm remained a hot topic as the temperatures dipped down into the 20's that night. Thanks to tents and well-insulated sleeping bags - not to mention a cozy fire, hot chocolate and pancakes the next morning - everyone was able to comfortably survive the seasonably cold weather conditions.

On Saturday, the group covered a wide range of subjects. Being November, one of the first topics raised was hunting safety. Adequately covered in orange, the group began to tour the conserved property. While walking along the river, attention turned to animal tracking. Quickly, the group was rewarded with tracks and scat of coyote and deer, as well as views of a soaring eagle and a nearby beaver lodge.

Climbing through the barrens and into a kettle hole, students saw firsthand the results of glaciers on the earth. Soon, the tour turned to blueberry growing and other uses of the land. Throughout, the kids learned an incredible amount of information about the region they live in, its history and its inhabitants.

Stay tuned for more information on this MCHT partnership, as Deirdre is already helping to plan future activities for these young Maine citizens.

Nothing embraces this heritage more than Aldermere Achievers, the Farm's 4-H Club. Last week, MCHT's Aldermere Achievers travelled south to Louisville, Kentucky in order to compete in the National Belted Galloway Society's National Youth Show. While there, the eight young farmers proudly demonstrated their skills learned over the past year: winning awards and professionally displaying Belties.

The National Belted Galloway Society's National Youth Show was one of many competitions presented in Louisville, Kentucky at this year's North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE), the world's largest all-breed, purebred livestock exposition. Attending and competing at the National Show had been a goal of the Aldermere Achievers 4-H club throughout the year. Through persistent fundraising initiatives, generous community involvement, and supportive families, the first part of the dream was realized early last week, as eight Aldermere Achievers 4-H Club Members and ten head of cattle arrived in the Blue Grass State. By mid-week, the group of young farmers had risen to the occasion to not only proudly represent MCHT Aldermere Farm Preserve, but to take home numerous awards as well.

The day of the competition began early and required a lot of preparation. After breakfast, the crew headed over to the Expo site for feeding, shampooing, drying, clipping, accentuating positive traits, and hiding negative ones of their Belties - all critical components to an award-winning presentation.

The competition, when it began, was divided into two categories: showmanship and breed classes. Through showmanship, the judge determined how well the young trainers had worked with their animal's hair, how well they lead them, and how knowledgeable they were about their breed. Through the breed class evaluations, the competition involved judging animals of similar age followed by a Grand Champion among all the age group winners.

There are two key awards in the competition and Aldermere Achievers received both: Erin Rollins won for National Grand Champion Steer and Addie Bragg took home the National Grand Champion Heifer. Following them was Frances Pendleton. She won National Reserve Grand Champion with her heifer. In total, three of the top four awards were achieved by Aldermere Achievers!

Fellow Achievers Tyler Leighton, Sam Leighton, Ellie Pendleton, Lucy Heal and Alice Flint all finished strong by using the best showmanship skills of their life at this National Show. With hundreds of eyes on them, each Achiever prepared their animal and presented it to the judge with calmness and focus while exhibiting the greatest respect for their fellow competitors from around the United States.

If you want to see the work of Aldermere Farm firsthand and its award-winning cattle, join MCHT on December 3 for a "Beltie Holiday." This annual event is part of the region's Christmas by the Sea. It will feature opportunities to pet a calf, make a Beltie keepsake ornament, and learn more about year-round programs at Aldermere Farm and the nearby Erickson Fields Preserve. The Beltie Holiday will also include a small farmers market where visitors can learn more about local products that are available, such as meats, dairy, vegetables, and woolen items. The event is free and runs from 9:00 am to noon. Please bring your camera and the whole family.

In 2007, a developer gained approval for a 14-lot subdivision Treat Point Shores that could have ended traditional use, jeopardized water quality, and fragmented valuable wildlife habitat. The developer was open to reselling the land for conservation, but at a price no nonprofit entity could afford. "Sometimes we consider projects as good as gone," reflects MCHT project manager Ciona Ulbrich. "But this one came full circle and--thanks to the slow economy, willing landowners and a far-sighted donor-- we were able to acquire Treat Point recently, and will pass it along to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife which will foster the property's ecological values and traditional uses."

As the economy lost momentum, the Treat Point Shores home sites failed to sell. The property's listing price dropped by roughly half, and--fortuitously--a local donor approached the Maine Community Foundation (MCF), wanting to support land conservation in the vicinity. "MCHT helped identify this project and then saw it through to completion," notes Jennifer Southard, MCF's Director of Philanthropic Services. "The donor is very pleased with the outcome and so are we."

"When I first learned that Marsh Point might be subdivided, I was heartsick," recalls the donor (who prefers to remain anonymous). "But at that point, neither I nor anyone I knew had the means to preserve it. I never dreamed the opportunity would arise again and I would be able to help--using an inheritance from a loved one who cherished this setting and often sketched Treat Point. It was especially meaningful to preserve this land in her honor."

"The whole process was new and baffling to me," the first-time donor reflects, "so I was thankful to have help from MCHT and MCF. After all the hard work, the magnitude of what we've done has begun to sink in. Now when I kayak around Treat Point, looking up at its wild forest and steep bluffs, I realize what a huge accomplishment it is--preserving this unique place forever. I am so grateful that there is a community of people, foundations, and land trusts who really care about what happens to the beauty that surrounds us. And I feel privileged now to be a more active part of that community."

This year's crew was ably led by Abby Stiers. She was joined by Hannah Larson, Derek Veilleux, and Brendan McKay. For 12 weeks, the crew moved around from one preserve to the next travelling up and down the Maine coast. Their work combined physical strength and endurance with careful planning and logistics.

There is no greater testament to the crew's incredible work than the mark they left on the Bold Coast. Using pulleys and cables the crew built an amazing set of stone steps to the summit of Benny's Mountain, a scenic viewpoint on the Hamilton Cove Preserve. They completed similar rock work on the nearby Eastern Knubble Preserve in Cutler. The crew also made significant improvements to the Bog Brook Cove Preserve by cutting a new 1.5-mile path and fixing two sections of the existing Ridge Trail.

In Western Washington County, the quartet focused their energy on the Frank E. Woodworth Preserve in Harrington. This quiet preserve on Ripley Neck offers tremendous views of Pleasant Bay - now more accessible to the public thanks to the bog bridging and stone steps built by the summer crew this year.

Bog bridging and strengthening existing trails was also a theme in the Mount Desert Island region. Here, the summer crew spent extensive time improving two of MCHT's most visited island preserves: The Ed Woodsum Preserve at Marshall Island and The Frenchboro Preserve. On Marshall Island, they constructed nearly 200 feet of bog bridging. The crew more than tripled that number on Frenchboro, by installing 650 feet of bog bridging there. The Frenchboro work was the second year of a 3-year project of trail improvements at this popular preserve.

The crew also made a stop in Castine this summer where they created ditches to assist drainage within the trail system at the Witherle Woods Preserve. After rebuilding a bog bridge at the nearby Lampson Preserve, the team also ventured south to Saddleback Island where they cleared blow downs and built up a firewood stash for use by the cabin's summer visitors.

MCHT's summer crew had quite a positive impact on these and other preserves this summer. As you climb a series of rock steps to a scenic vista or comfortably traverse a wetland across dry bog bridging, take some time from enjoying the resident wildlife and spectacular scenery to admire the hard work of these talented, young adults.

Our first objective to controlling invasive plants is to contain what's there and keep it from spreading. Then, MCHT Regional Stewards work to reduce the infestation, using methods ranging from cutting, digging, and mowing to targeted injections or painting of herbicides (done by Devine who is a licensed applicator).

"Our goal is to go after the target species with minimal impact on surrounding vegetation and wildlife," Devine observes. "Each intervention carries risks, but there's a risk as well to doing nothing and letting invasive plants take over. We customize our approach to reflect the needs of a given place." At Witherle Woods Preserve in Castine, for example, Regional Steward Douglas McMullin is smothering Japanese knotweed with black plastic (and may soon try carpet remnants) because the land lies in an aquifer recharge zone and even herbicide injections (into individual plant stems) would be unacceptable.

Techniques like digging and cutting are labor-intensive so MCHT Regional Stewards sometimes seek help from community partners. In fact, local boy scouts have helped dig up Japanese barberry plants on MCHT's Babson Creek Preserve at Mount Desert.

The Trust is also pioneering some new approaches to invasive plant control. On Marshall Island, Regional Steward Terry Towne is working to cut barberry back and then torch the regrowth after 4 to 6 weeks--a method that has proven successful in some studies. At Aldermere Farm in Rockport this summer, MCHT reared and released Galerucella beetles--which prey exclusively on purple loosestrife. "Biological controls like this are used carefully and selectively after years of testing," Devine explains. We captured some beetles (from the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in southern Maine which has used this beetle successfully), and placed them on potted loosestrife plants covered with netting. In August, when the beetles had multiplied, we set those pots by the purple loosestrife in Lily Pond. The beetle populations will decline as the purple loosestrife recedes."

Lastly, MCHT Regional Stewards work to inform landowners near our preserves about the growing threat posed by exotic invasives. On Mount Desert Island, MCHT and Acadia National Park have established the MDI Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), inviting area landowners to map the presence of invasives through an online reporting system. MDI's CISMA has identified target species and compiled educational flyers on these for interested landowners. Local citizens are encouraged to join occasional volunteer parties that work to remove identified infestations (with landowner permission). "We have a fairly defensible area as an island community," notes Regional Steward Billy Helprin, "so we think an organized, regional control effort here will stand a chance."

Learning More and Helping Out
By educating yourself and others about problematic species, you can help limit their spread. Review the following resources and make careful plant choices for your own property. Many invasives (such as purple loosestrife, burning bush, and barberry are promoted for home gardens--despite the hazards they pose to natural ecosystems).

Gardening to Conserve Maine's Native Landscape: http://umaine.edu/publications/2500e/

Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE): http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/

MDI's Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area:http://vitalsignsme.org/mission-mdi

The total number of islands in the Refuge now stands at fifty-six. The Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge complex totals more than 8,100 acres and spans more than 250 miles of Maine coastline, including five national wildlife refuges -- Petit Manan, Cross Island, Franklin Island, Seal Island, and Pond Island. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge complex as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Purchase of these islands for their seabird nesting habitat values was strongly recommended by the Refuge's Comprehensive Conservation Plan, published in 2005. MCHT was able to acquire these islands over a number of years, thanks to willing landowners. "Protecting these islands is a significant step in the ongoing protection of one of Maine's most fragile natural resources," commented MCHT President Tim Glidden. "MCHT is proud of our longstanding partnership with the Refuge to enhance and protect Maine's nationally-significant seabird nesting islands."

Both islands are in close proximity to other conserved lands--North Twinnie lies adjacent to Acadia National Park's Thompson Island and MCHT's Thomas Island Preserve. Sally Island is near Western Island and Bar Island, both MCHT conservation properties in the Sally Island chain.

Refuge Manager Beth Goettel expressed gratitude to those who assisted the Refuge in making these additions a reality. "One of the real challenges of building a national wildlife refuge, especially one made up of multiple islands, is putting together its many pieces over time. Science tells us which islands make sense to eventually add to the refuge, but in many cases those islands are privately owned. The Service needs the help of willing landowners, of which there fortunately are many, and partners like MCHT, to be able to acquire the properties identified in our Conservation Plan. This important work can only happen when we all work together to achieve the common goal of habitat protection."

The Service's primary focus at Maine Coastal Islands Refuge is restoring and managing colonies of nesting seabirds. Refuge islands provide habitat for common, Arctic, and endangered roseate terns; Atlantic puffins; razorbills; black guillemots; Leach's storm-petrels; herring, greater black-backed, and laughing gulls; double-crested and great cormorants; and common eiders. Over the last 25 years, the Service has worked to reverse the decline in these birds' populations. As a result, many species have returned to islands where they nested historically.

In recent weeks, Aldermere Farm Preserve's Aldermere Achievers, the Farm's 4-H Club, have seen their hard work recognized at agricultural fairs throughout Maine. Dedicated to the care and training of Aldermere's beloved herd of Belted Galloways, this crew of nine teens (ages 12-18) has devoted countless hours over the past year to the farm's operation.

Each fall, the Aldermere Farm's 4-H year begins. By December, these young aspiring farmers choose a calf to train and care for over the months that follow. Throughout the winter and spring, the 4-H'ers work tirelessly to halter train their calves and work on grooming techniques. In addition, the young farmers also work with Maine Coast Heritage Trust staff at Aldermere to help manage the day-to-day operations of the farm.

By late summer, the hard work is put to the test, as the 4-H students accompany their Belted Galloway to a series of agricultural fairs and other exhibitions, including: Skowhegan, Union, Windsor, the Big E, and Fryeburg. The competition is high, but Aldermere Achievers consistently rise to the top. This year, once again, Aldermere has enjoyed much success.

Thus far, the star has been Xanderlee, a yearling heifer that not only has won Grand Champion Belted Galloway at multiple fairs, but also earned the title of Supreme Overall for all beef breeds as well. Xanderlee's success would not be possible without the incredible commitment made by Aldermere's 4-H students.

There are still opportunities to see Aldermere's award-winning herd and the young farmers caring for them at a number of upcoming events. Next stop is the Big E in Springfield, Massachusetts. Its Youth Show is on Friday September 16th at 6 p.m. and Open Beef Show on Saturday 17th at 9 a.m. The Big E is followed by the Fryeburg Fair. You can catch the Open Beef Show on Tuesday October 4th at 9:30 a.m., the 4-H Heifer Show on Saturday 8th at 1:30 p.m., and the 4-H Showmanship Show on Sunday 9th at 9 a.m.

Lastly, the 4-H students have been busy fundraising this summer in hopes of attending the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. This two-week exposition includes a Youth Show on Tuesday November 15th at 2 p.m. and an Open Beef Show on Wednesday 16th at noon.

For more information on the Aldermere Achievers and other programs at the Aldermere Farm Preserve contact Sarah Post at 236-2739.

Earlier this year, MCHT conserved a 16-acre peninsula, and recently secured an adjoining 78-acre wooded parcel at the gateway to Sipp Bay that together conserve a total of 9,200 feet of shorefront. The peninsula is a defunct commercial campground that has long been used as an unofficial access point by area clammers and "wrinklers," periwinkle harvesters, many of whom are members of the local Passamaquoddy tribe. "It's really good to know that this land will stay open to the public. It will help sustain the traditional harvesting of wrinkles, clams and worms... and that is a critical part of people's livelihoods here," says Roland Newall, a tribal member and chief of the volunteer fire department in nearby Perry.

View a larger map on Google Maps

The Trust also arranged conservation easements on two largely undeveloped parcels, the 74-acre Sipp Bay South property and 75 acres on Fox Point that protect an additional 16,550 feet of saltwater frontage. Heavily wooded and lined with salt marshes and clamflats, the two easement properties bracket the west side of Sipp Bay just inside the Pembroke town line. Those two properties will not be open for public access.

"The ecological values of these properties are very high, with abundant and high-quality wading bird and waterfowl habitat as well as very productive mudflats," MCHT project manager Marty Anderson explains. "In addition, the 16-acre peninsula [Sipp Bay Preserve] has several documented archeological sites. This is an amazing opportunity for the Trust to protect a diverse and important part of Cobscook Bay."

The Sipp Bay Preserve, however, "has great potential for public use as a coastal park or preserve," Anderson says. "It has terrific views across Cobscook Bay and even a set of reversing falls at the entrance to the bay." Part of MCHT's forthcoming management plan includes reaching out to local stakeholders for their input on how the property should be used. Anderson and regional steward Deirdre Whitehead anticipate walking trails and day-use facilities on the property, as well as an upgraded boat launch site, plans that fit nicely with the town of Perry's desire to enhance recreational opportunities and public access to the water.

"We're thrilled that MCHT's purchase will guarantee access to Sipp Bay," adds Tess Ftorek, a Registered Maine Guide who, with her husband Steve, operates Cobscook Hikes and Paddles in nearby Robbinston. "We've been taking canoe and kayak trips out of that site for 15 years. People are coming here from all over the world to experience our pristine coastal environment. Without MCHT's action, Sipp Bay would essentially be closed to a lot of public activities."

Whitehead says the Trust will "undevelop" the property by removing old power poles and structures left over from its days as a campground. "Looking at this project as a whole, it fulfills so many goals, both for the Trust and for the local economy," Whitehead points out. "We have habitat and wildlife protection, recreational potential, and support for the local resource-based economy. Everyone wins here."

Funding for the projects remains to be finalized, with key support in hand from the Pew Charitable Trusts, as well as pending grants from public and private sources still in process.

The walks continue to attract a nice mixture of regular "hardcore" birdwatchers, combined with a sprinkling of visitors who might be on the island for a week or two. The walks are great for birdwatchers of all levels, and have created a connection between the local avian and local avian watchers, with breeding, raising young, and migration the themes dominating the first four walks.

It seemed fitting that the first bird seen through a spotting scope on the 2011 Wednesday morning bird walk series was a bald eagle. "Bald is a theme around here," joked MCHT Regional Steward, naturalist, and trip leader Kirk Gentalen. He added, "Birds are obviously the bigger theme."

Fourteen observers were able to get intimate views of the eagle perched by Folly Pond on the morning of July 13th. The eagle was just the beginning. Over the next few hours the group found a magnolia warbler, spotted sandpiper, black guillemot, American goldfinch, American robin, and a first year belted kingfisher freshly fledged from a local nest. Another highlight of the day was watching black and white warbler parents feeding their young fledglings. As one participant commented, "We see a lot on each hike, that's for sure!"

The walks started on July 13th and continue every Wednesday morning thru August 24th (with the exception of August 10, this walk has been changed to Tuesday, August 9th). "We chose Wednesdays," Gentalen added, "because they tend to fall in the middle of the week." The birds have responded well. There is no scheduled itinerary other than a meeting time, which is 8:30 am at Skoog Park, conveniently located near the ferry terminal.

The flexibility with the outings is wonderful, with destinations often picked that morning. Gentalen emphasized, "We go to where the birds are and what is happening that day." And he's not kidding. Trips to Carrying Place, State Beach and Lane's Island have all been full of great birds and great views.

Asked what makes a bird walk most rewarding, Gentalen stated, "I find that a good spotting scope is the key to an enjoyable bird walk. Getting that close-up view can make all the difference. As a leader I know I am nothing without my scope. I accept that reality. I want everyone to get a scope view of every bird."

In all, participants have found more than 40 species of birds on the weekly field trips thus far. Highlights have featured an osprey nest full of young and, perhaps, the only black vulture spotted on any bird outing in the state of Maine the entire month of July. Other species observed through the spotting scope have included song sparrows, short-billed dowitchers, greater and lesser yellowlegs, yellow warblers and yellow-rumped warblers, cedar waxwings, semi-palmated sandpipers and plovers, common terns, common eiders, and grey catbirds.

Upcoming outings will include visits to the Basin and State Beach. Bird watchers of all levels are welcome.

For more information on joining Kirk on a future Wednesday outing visit Vinalhaven Bird Walks.

Cobscook Bay Paddle
A sun-filled day welcomed enthusiastic paddlers on Sunday, July 10th to Cobscook Bay. Sponsored jointly by MCHT and the Downeast Coastal Conservancy, the tour was led by Steve and Tess Ftorek of Cobscook Hikes and Paddles. Departing at low tide, the kayakers encountered scallops, hermit crabs, jellyfish, seals, shags and gulls. The day's highlight took place on Birch Island, where a young eaglet, still in the nest, busily flapped its wings in preparation for a first flight. After safely witnessing the strong tidal rips of Reversing Falls from a distance, the crew returned safely to Cobscook Bay State Park.

Plant Life Abounds in Boothbay
On Wednesday, July 13th, MCHT Regional Steward Amanda Devine guided an energetic group interested in discovering summer plant life on what has become an annual, jointly-sponsored walk with the Boothbay Region Land Trust (BBRLT). The site for this year's trek was the BBRLT's Linekin Preserve, a 138-acre parcel of diverse forestlands that abuts the Damariscotta River. Throughout the 1.5-mile loop hike, visitors observed numerous wildflowers including sarsaparilla, Indian cucumber, bunchberry, and Canada mayflower. To provide all with an intimate view of sundew, Amanda even jumped into a small pond to drag a downed log closer to shore.

Frenchboro Panoramas
Near perfect weather greeted a small, but eager contingent of hikers who met bright and early at the Bass Harbor Ferry terminal on Friday, July 15th. Following a pleasant 45-minute voyage across Blue Hill Bay, Regional Steward Terry Towne lead a six-hour tour of MCHT's recently expanded Frenchboro Preserve. Wildlife sightings highlighted the day's activities with close up views of red squirrels and harbor seals, as well as more distant shots of bald eagles, common terns, and a northern gannet. Near perfect visibility also enhanced breathtaking scenes from Big Beach, Deep Cove, and Rich's Head.

Upcoming Field Trips
It is not too late to participate in one of MCHT's summer field trips. A full slate of tours are scheduled to continue into September, including additional kayak trips Downeast, guided hikes of Marshall Island, and bird walks on Vinalhaven.