Where Nature is Big and Bold

In the northeastern corner of the country, together with partners, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) helped conserve thousands of acres on Maine’s iconic Bold Coast starting in the 1980s. Since then, we’ve continued protecting forested lands stretching to the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, including the 585-acre Orange Lake South parcel (conserved in 2018), and over 3,000 acres surrounding Rocky Lake (conserved in stages since 2017), now our largest preserve.

“[The campers] discovered the intricate balance between the living, non-living, and cultural elements that shape our world,” she says. They also helped Rocky Lake Preserve’s steward, Kyle Koch, restore a section of trail and blaze a new path. “This work gave them a sense of accomplishment, and was a highlight for many,” says Cathy.

Here and everywhere else we care for land, MCHT is focused on balancing the needs of plants, animals, and people—ensuring there are places for wildlife to survive and thrive, supporting the needs of communities, and connecting people with the outdoors. To raise awareness about free and open preserves in the region and connect people with the greater Orange River Watershed, MCHT and conservation partners collaborated to gather and promote information about the nearby Orange River Water Trail, an easy-to-access and easy-to-paddle nine-mile water trail spanning a patchwork of conserved lands.

Over the past several years, MCHT has worked with the town of Cutler on projects to improve trail access, lay groundwork for a future town park and public water access site, and support efforts to create affordable housing close to the town center. This fall, MCHT initiated a fundraising effort with Northeast Wilderness Trust to conserve another 2,000 acres adjacent to the Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, further protecting this region with a rich concentration of at-risk species and habitats.

“This land is just a quarter mile from the ocean, and represents an extraordinary conservation opportunity,” says MCHT project manager Jacob van de Sande. Other projects in this region could result in the protection of thousands more acres. With each new conservation success, and as we work with partners and community members to care for these lands and waters over the long haul, we’re further projecting the ecological integrity of the region and contributing to a healthier, more resilient Maine.