When residential development threatened a 128-acre property with more than a mile of Cobscook Bay frontage, QRLT joined with the Regional Medical Center at Lubec (which runs experiential education programs on site) to preserve the beautiful setting. “The Pike Lands lie at the heart of Cobscook Bay,” says Alan Brooks, QRLT’s Executive Director, “and offer an incredible diversity of habitats—from productive clam flats and a barrier beach to bold shore frontage. Generations of local families have enjoyed these lands for walking, hunting and apple harvesting, and we wanted to keep those traditions alive.”

MCHT helped assist in early appraisal work and provided bridge financing through the Trust’s Revolving Loan Fund. “This ambitious project arose just after QRLT had completed a capital campaign,” says MCHT project manager Patrick Watson, “and yet they rallied to successfully organize a very impressive second campaign.” A grant from the Land for Maine’s Future Program was also critical to the project’s success.

Another regional trust, Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC), recently completed two projects that will enhance the value of the State’s 15,000-acre Donnell Pond Unit. MCHT led discussions with land- owners who generously donated an easement to FBC on 567 acres of their private property surrounding Duck Pond (including key portions of Duck Pond Hill). The easement, which allows for sustainable forestry, preserves an entire wetland ecosystem and helps to protect views from Donnell Pond.

FBC acquired another nearby tract that will further protect views from State lands and provide improved trail access for hiking and nature study. The FBC purchased 500 acres of woods and wetlands at the base of Schoodic Mountain (including all of the 135-acre Schoodic Bog wetland). MCHT opened discussions with sellers, funded the property appraisal, and helped to prepare a successful application to the Land for Maine’s Future Program. “By working with MCHT to complete these two projects,” says FBC Executive Director Barb Welch, “we were able to secure lands that greatly enhance the value of conserved places people already enjoy.”

When Maine Coast Heritage Trust formed 35 years ago, its founders thought that the organization would facilitate land protection for a decade or so—and then, when key places were conserved, it would close up shop. In those days, MCHT did not hold easements: it negotiated projects and then conveyed the long- term stewardship responsibilities to other conservation entities.

Once the Trust began accepting interests in land in 1981, it became clear why the work of conservation never ends. As land protection successes multiply, so do stewardship responsibilities. MCHT hired its first stewardship staff person in 1996 when the organization had 12 fee properties to manage and 68 easements to monitor. Now the Trust has 65 properties and 140 easements entrusted to its care. Needless to say, stewardship of these lands consumes a larger part of our focus and resources each year.

In this issue, we launch a series featuring the many facets of MCHT’s long-term stewardship work—from routine responsibilities like easement monitoring to unforeseen challenges like invasive plant control. The opening piece focuses on our interactions with visitors at some of the Trust’s most popular preserves. Our preserve caretakers wear many hats— doing hands-on projects; learning from visitors about their needs and interests; and sharing information about MCHT’s mission.

The work of community outreach represents a new and critical part of our effort to manage lands in ways that foster the best possible experience for visitors and protect the integrity of place. To find that critical balance, we need to gather extensive data on how each property has traditionally been used, what are its ecological sensitivities, and what are the needs of the surrounding communities.

Throughout this process, we must look and listen attentively—being sensitive to the needs of both people and place. Each protected property has a unique set of considerations that can’t be addressed by a “one-size-fits-all” management plan.

The work of stewardship, we are learning, is a collective enterprise that succeeds best when it engages all the people who care most about the land. We welcome public participation in every facet of the process, from site planning to trail work. As the photo collage on page four illustrates, we have begun offering more opportunities for members to join us in the field. We hope to see you on upcoming trips to MCHT preserves, and look forward to hearing your perspectives on land stewardship.

When visitors to MCHT’s Western and Boot Head Preserves in Lubec find land steward Melissa Lee at work, they often offer to help and she gives them small assignments: “they like to take part in caring for the places they love,” Lee observes. Lee looks for small, incremental ways that people might improve their stewardship, being careful not “to lecture or to make it personal. All of us can only do things in little pieces,” she reflects. Lee credits a Leave No Trace course she took with deepening her own practice of stewardship and challenging her assumptions. “I’d always considered myself a pretty attentive hiker,” Lee says, “but I realized that didn’t necessarily make me a careful steward.”

Like Lee, Marshall Island caretakers Stacy Pavich and Zack Reidman took a gentle and reserved approach with visitors. Knowing their presence could change the experience of traditional visitors, Reidman says, “we were really aware of not being intrusive and sought to preserve their private experience. We tried to maintain a friendly atmosphere, being good ambassadors and clearing up misconceptions.”

Part of their caretaking responsibility involved tracking visitor numbers, which were high in fair weather. At Sand Cove, they noted up to 16 boats at a time and peak visitation one day of 90 people.

Marshall Island has few educational signs at present, and while Reidman sees “the human presence as far more effective than signage,” he envisions the Trust providing more signs in coming seasons. “For example, we’d like to have a step-by-step description of how to go about carrying out waste —since it’s awkward to cover that in face-to-face discussions.”

Caitlin Gerber, co-caretaker of Whaleboat Island this summer with Brad Grillo, also felt the need for more prominent signs since people routinely asked her questions that were answered on the island’s few small signs. Both Whaleboat caretakers found some traditional visitors not adhering to the MCHT guideline that parties over six people make advance reservations. Gerber hopes that this pattern will change as more groups become aware of the new guideline, and understand the importance of “leave no trace” camping. “Most visitors to the island consider it special,” she says, “and want to care for the place well.”

Leave No Trace Principles of Outdoor Ethics
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
For more detailed guidance, visit the website www.lnt.org.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust, one designee of the Bright Trust, put the proceeds toward the Schoolhouse Ledge project that protects traditional hiking trails around North-east Harbor. “This generous bequest helped us complete the Schoolhouse Ledge campaign just as the deadline was drawing near,” notes Jonathan Labaree, MCHT’s Director of Development. “We are so grateful for the foresight of donors like Leila Bright who make planned gifts for the future.”

Bright came to know of MCHT through her contacts with Peggy Rockefeller, and both women shared a deep commitment to conservation. Leila’s son, Jim Bright, recalls how she “really enjoyed the island and realized a long time ago that it had to be preserved. She devoted a lot of time to preserving what’s essential.”

For more information on planned giving opportunities such as charitable remainder trusts, please contact Jonathan Labaree at 207-729-7366 or jlabaree@mcht.org.

Responding to popular demand, MCHT hosted two trips in August to its spectacular Harold E. Woodsum Preserve at Marshall Island. Participants enjoyed great weather on both days and spent time exploring the island’s pristine beaches and spruce forests.

A series of field trips this past summer gave Trust members an opportunity to explore some of MCHT’s newer preserves. Participants greatly enjoyed these outings, and the Trust plans to offer more trips next summer.

Whaleboat Island, Harpswell

A diverse group of 25 people (ranging in age from 2 to 80) joined MCHT in late May for a morning of bird watching on Whaleboat Island. Participants spotted 23 different species, including greater yellowlegs and northern harrier.

The Spring 2006 edition of Maine Heritage will provide details on next year’s scenic trips and tours. In addition, MCHT members will receive an advance mailing with the summer trip schedule.

Thanks to North Haven Conservation Partners, Vinalhaven Land Trust, Paul and Theresa Donahue, Aram Calhoun, Rob Sanford, Nate Hamilton, Ann Hooke, and Thomas Urquhart for generously volunteering their time to help make the 2005 outings a huge success.