Fall 2006
Celebrating a Successful Campaign
Campaign Totals
- 194 CONSERVATION PROJECTS COMPLETED
- 14,646 ACRES (including more than 11,000 acres allowing public access)
- 125 MILES OF SHORELINE
- 56 ENTIRE COASTAL ISLANDS (including 14 seabird-nesting islands)
- 20 EAGLE-NESTING SITES
MCHT’s Campaign for the Coast surpassed its target, raising more than $102 million dollars to complete 194 projects to date. “The Campaign has been a tremendous success—not only in securing the future of stellar coastal properties,” notes MCHT President Jay Espy, “but in building partnerships and leveraging greater support for land protection and stewardship.” Campaign funds are already hard at work. Thus far through its Campaign for the Coast, MCHT has conserved lands valued at $77 million with a cash outlay of $24 million—thanks to additional matching funds, and land donations.
Among the 957 contributors to the Campaign, most were first-time donors. “We had 610 new donors,” reflects Jonathan Labaree, MCHT’s Development Director. “People from all walks of life, hailing from 42 different states, stepped forward— seeking to preserve the special character of Maine’s coast.”
MCHT extends heartfelt thanks to all the donors, volunteers and partners who helped make the Campaign for the Coast a resounding success.
President’s Column by Jay Espy
Bountiful Support
When MCHT announced its Campaign for the Coast five years ago, a lot of eyebrows went up. Supporters acknowledged that the Trust needed $100 million to facilitate more land protection—given rising land values and increased development pressure—but thought the goal was terribly ambitious. Detractors were less charitable, considering the Trust hare-brained to set its sights so high. We were convinced, though, that people shared our desire to keep Maine’s coast distinct and accessible, and would help us meet our audacious goal.
Our timing, as it turned out, did not help move us toward our lofty vision. Shortly after we announced our campaign launch, the U.S. economy and financial markets stalled. There were other submerged ledges that we struck, but we always rallied—thanks in large measure to our devoted friends, our indomitable Campaign Chairman Richard Rockefeller, and the incredible donors we met. People opened their homes to us, spoke to their friends on our behalf, and in countless ways served as ambassadors for the Trust—helping us find kindred spirits who shared our vision of protecting Maine’s renowned coast.
Our job was made easy because people wanted to give generously, whatever their means. One woman sent in a check for $5, indicating that she hoped to spare that much each month from her limited budget during the course of the Campaign. The amount was small, she acknowledged, but the feeling behind it was so large. Another donor, upon hearing about our Campaign vision, exclaimed “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for something like this!” He committed $5 million on the spot.
For me, the journey taken and the people met during the course of this Campaign have been as gratifying and inspiring as the lands protected. Throughout, I’ve been reminded of how lucky we are at Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Not only are we privileged to steward one of the world’s greatest coastlines, but we are blessed with incredibly thoughtful and generous supporters. We offer heartfelt thanks to Campaign partners and donors for all you’ve done for MCHT and for Maine. You have given us the tools and inspiration to create a remarkable and lasting natural legacy along this coast.
Project Highlights
Much of what makes the coast of Maine so appealing is the diversity of habitats and land types that characterize its islands, peninsulas, headlands, hills and river valleys. The Campaign for the Coast sought to protect stellar properties that reflect this natural diversity—from productive farmland and working waterfronts to open hilltops and granite-rimmed islands. The 194 properties protected to date span the length of Maine’s coast, from the Isles of Shoals at the New Hampshire border to the Cobscook Bay far downeast. The projects involved varied means of conservation, from donated and purchased conservation easements to “bargain sales” (lands sold well below their market value) and outright gifts. Maine Coast Heritage Trust will continue its selective and strategic approach to allocating Campaign funds in the coming months. The following examples highlight a few of the many gems protected through Campaign contributions.
Beech Hill, Rockport
Follow the walking trail up Beech Hill in Rockport and you can enjoy views that spiral out in every direction— from the nearby Camden Hills to Monhegan and Matinicus islands far offshore. This open hilltop, with its productive blueberry barrens and expanse of meadows, draws area residents and visitors for walking, picnicking and an annual “pick your own” blueberry harvest. The 295-acre preserve, now owned and managed by Coastal Mountains Land Trust, was protected through the collective efforts of MCHT, Coastal Mountains, conservation-minded landowners, the MBNA Foundation and the State’s Land for Maine’s Future Program. “MCHT recognized the value of this property two decades ago,” says Coastal Mountains Director Scott Dickerson, “and took the lead in negotiating its protection while our local trust was forming.” MCHT secured the hill’s summit through a purchase well below the land’s market value in 2001, and later transferred the title to Coastal Mountains Land Trust for long-term management.
Pinkham Island, Milbridge
Using funds from a federal North American Waterfowl Conservation Act grant to match its Campaign Funds, Maine Coast Heritage Trust acquired an 80-acre island in Back Bay—a setting that provides prime habitat for wading shorebirds and waterfowl. MCHT acquired Pinkham Island at a “bargain sale” price from the previous owners who had bought out a 15-houselot subdivision slated for the island and kept Pinkham intact during their 8 years of ownership. Lying within the Pleasant Bay whole place, the undeveloped island is considered nationally significant by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for its wildlife values, including an active bald eagle nest. The island’s former owners donated to MCHT two properties in the vicinity: a 1.5-acre island and a 52-acre shorefront parcel on the Beaver Meadow Brook salt marsh.
Stone Barn Farm, Bar Harbor
The best known farm in Bar Harbor’s rural Emery District lies along Northeast Creek, Mount Desert Island’s largest estuary. Stone Barn Farm’s 128 acres of unbroken fields, forests and marshlands help protect the pristine quality of the creek, a sensitive habitat that supports diverse wildlife. The long-time farm owners, a retired schoolteacher and nurse, wanted to remain on their land and have it continue as a natural oasis and beloved community landmark. Inheritance taxes, they knew, could force the farm’s sale—potentially resulting in up to 42 houselots on the site. By working with MCHT, the owners were able to prevent future subdivision or development by placing a conservation easement on their farm. Now the ecological and scenic qualities of their exceptional property will remain intact. “I’ve always felt I was put on earth to protect this land,” owner Harry Owens observed at the time of the easement signing. “Maine Coast Heritage Trust became the tool that will keep these fields and woods green long after I am gone.” Protection of Stone Barn Farm in 2001 helped spur conservation of two other farm projects in the Northeast Creek watershed, both of which were also made possible by the Campaign.
Malaga Island, Phippsburg
Just off the village of Sebasco lies a 41-acre island, most of which has never been cleared in recorded history. Malaga Island’s old growth woods, with tall stands of red spruce and pitch pine, give it a wild and untouched air—despite its proximity to the mainland. Through the generosity of its former owner, Maine Coast Heritage Trust was able to purchase Malaga for a price well below its market value. MCHT will create trails for visitors to enjoy while continuing to permit local fishermen to store their traps on the island—an important traditional use since shorefront available to them in Phippsburg is limited. The Trust is also collaborating with historians, anthropologists, and archaeologists who are studying the island’s historic settlement, a mixedrace community that made its home on Malaga for decades before being evicted unjustly by the State in 1912.
Campaign Perspectives
by Richard Rockefeller, Campaign for the Coast Chairman
At the time Maine Coast Heritage Trust began the Campaign for the Coast five years ago, much conservation effort and media attention was focused on Maine’s North Woods. Watching those efforts persuaded us that Maine’s fragile coast—with its even greater development pressures and skyrocketing land values—was experiencing equally great conservation needs.
Now that the Campaign is successfully completed, we are happy and honored to join Maine’s century-long tradition of people coming together to protect the lands they love. Following Governor Percival Baxter’s work in the North Woods, George Dorr’s efforts on Mount Desert Island, and the tireless work of volunteers in 100 land trusts around Maine, the Campaign for the Coast demonstrates once again what people can accomplish on behalf of place. I know that if my mother, Peggy Rockefeller (who cofounded Maine Coast Heritage Trust 36 years ago), were alive today, she would be as proud of this achievement as we are.
One aim of the Campaign, and one of its successes, has been to gain national recognition for the uniqueness of Maine’s coastline and to highlight the importance of conserving its ecological diversity, beauty, recreational opportunity and economic vitality. We have remained ever mindful of how important environmental health is to economic well-being and, conversely, how the cherished character of Maine’s coast includes a diverse economy. Our work going forward will continue to ensure that the Coast retains its cultural as well as natural integrity, and that those who depend on its shores have adequate access.
Reaching the ambitious $100 million target that we set five years ago is a major achievement. A still greater accomplishment will be protection and stewardship of the land: a work in progress, which the generosity of our many donors makes possible. It is so gratifying to visit properties secured through this Campaign and know that these natural treasures will remain as they are for our children’s grandchildren to enjoy. Thanks to each of you who lent your support to this effort. I am confident that the momentum recently gained will sustain our work for many years to come.
Major Grant Funds Habitat Protection Downeast
Through the efforts of the Maine Wetlands Protection Coalition and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, MCHT and Great Auk Land Trust recently received a second grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act program. The $950,000 grant will support the protection of more than 600 acres of upland and wetland habitat surrounding Pleasant Bay downeast. The acreage being conserved provides valuable habitat for migratory and wintering waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds and rare and endangered species. This federal grant will enhance MCHT’s ongoing efforts to protect Pleasant and Narraguagus Bays, recognizing their ecological significance as a “whole place.”
In Memoriam
MCHT staff and board will greatly miss longtime board and council member John M. Robinson, who passed away in July. A native of Portland, John was the former head of C.H. Robinson Paper Company and an active civic leader—serving on many area boards. He was an avid yachtsman as well, and joined in numerous ocean races. On the board of MCHT for 27 years, John chaired numerous committees and served as Treasurer. “John always had a steady hand on the wheel,” MCHT President Jay Espy reflects. “He helped us chart a sound course as the organization grew and engaged in more complex land transactions.” In addition to his decades of service to MCHT, John generously enabled the protection of Robinson Woods, an 83-acre woodland with shorefrontage and public trails in Cape Elizabeth.
