Press Room
This page provides current and archived press releases along with accompanying photos and maps for members of the news media to download and publish. It also offers background information on Coastal Mountains Land Trust. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact us.
Press Releases
Land Trust Welcomes First Stewardship Assistant (5/2/2008)
Oxtons Makes Possible Key Purchase on Ragged Mountain (5/2/2008)
Donor Adds Land to Fernald's Neck Preserve (4/16/2008)
Celebration Time: Bald & Ragged Mountains Campaign Reaches First Goal (2/1/2008)
Land Trust Surpasses 6,000-Acre Mark at Turn of Year (1/4/2008)
Conservation Easement Donation Boosts Land Trust's Efforts in Hope (12/13/2007)
Ducktrap Conservation Continues with Recent Purchase (11/15/2007)
Public Invited to Celebrate Beech Nut Restoration on November 17 (11/12/2007)
Successful Contours Show Still Has Something New to Offer (10/25/2007)
Ragged Mountain Recreation Area & Land Trust Inaugurate Gateway (10/3/2007)
Land Trust on the "Wright" Track to Conservation on Bald Mountain (8/30/2007)
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LAND TRUST WELCOMES FIRST STEWARDSHIP ASSISTANT
(CAMDEN)--In response to an expanding land protection program, Coastal Mountains Land Trust welcomed Joe Zipparo this May as the first full-time Stewardship Assistant.
Stewardship Assistant Joe Zipparo at the Beech Hill Preserve
Zipparo will direct management activities and lead volunteer stewardship programs at Beech Hill and Fernald's Neck Preserves. He will also develop Beech Hill's organic blueberry operation into a financially sustainable operation.
Zipparo affirmed, "I am very excited to join the Land Trust because I love the idea of a land trust specializing in a local region. I am looking forward to meeting and working with members, volunteers, and those who are just out enjoying the preserves." He and his family are delighted to settle in Lincolnville surrounded by beautiful hiking trails.
A native of Connecticut, Zipparo comes to the Land Trust from Shelter Island, New York, where he worked as a land steward for The Nature Conservancy at Mashomack Preserve. Zipparo received his degree in park management at Unity College and worked for several conservation organizations in Maine and New Hampshire. He has held posts as Assistant Manager for Audubon's Borestone Mountain Audobon Sanctuary, Island Steward for Damariscove Island formally owned by The Nature Conservancy, and Manager for AMC's Cardigan Lodge in New Hampshire.
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OXTONS MAKE POSSIBLE KEY PURCHASE ON RAGGED MOUNTAIN
(CAMDEN)--Coastal Mountains Land Trust recently purchased an 18-acre forested property on Ragged Mountain from Bob and Judy Oxton. The property contains trails that will connect the abutting Ragged Mountain Recreation Area to the Land Trust's 326-acre Ragged Mountain Preserve to the south--trails frequented by mountain bikers, hikers, and cross-country skiers.
The Oxtons generously sold their property below market value, thus contributing to the Land Trust's efforts to conserve the mountains. Of their decision to work with the Land Trust, Bob said, "A lot of people use the trails up there, so we wanted the property to end up with the Land Trust. It's the right thing to do."
Bob & Judy Oxton at the Land Trust
Jeff Kuller, Director of Camden Parks and Recreation, said of this exciting news, "With the generosity and foresight of the Oxtons, a key link between the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area and the land already conserved by the Land Trust to the south are now joined, further enhancing the concept of the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area as a 'Gateway' to an expanding trail system on Ragged Mountain. Hats off to the Oxtons and the Land Trust for protecting the flanks of our coastal mountains for communities of wild creatures and future human generations to enjoy!"
With this acquisition, the Land Trust has surpassed 40% of its goal to conserve 3,320 acres of undeveloped land on Bald and Ragged Mountains.
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DONOR ADDS LAND TO FERNALD'S NECK PRESERVE
(LINCOLNVILLE---Coastal Mountains Land Trust has received a generous donation of land from Douglas A. Warren, adding over two acres to the Land Trust's Fernald’s Neck Preserve on Megunticook Lake in Lincolnville.
In 1979, Margaretta W. Thurlow donated to The Nature Conservancy a property designated as the Hattie Lamb Fernald Tract. This 36-acre lakefront parcel, featuring forests and wetlands, became part of The Nature Conservancy's Fernald's Neck Preserve. The entirety of the 326-acre Fernald's Neck Preserve, including the Hattie Lamb Fernald Tract, was subsequently transferred to Coastal Mountains Land Trust by the Nature Conservancy in 2007. Warren's donation protects an additional 2.1 acres of forested land that abuts the Hattie Lamb Fernald Tract and includes more than 200 feet of shore frontage on Megunticook Lake.
Warren recently said, "I am happy to make this gift of land to Coastal Mountains Land Trust, to be added to the Hattie Lamb Fernald Tract of the Land Trust's Fernald's Neck Preserve. The Tract was donated to conservation some years ago by my aunt, Margaretta Thurlow. Her mother--my grandmother, Hattie Lamb Fernald--was given this land to farm by her parents when she married Ralph Warren in 1891. This gift is made by me and my family in honor of Margaretta W. Thurlow, who over the years has been a tireless worker and an inspiration to me and many others related to conservation causes. We are pleased to know that this land donation will remain in its natural state for all to enjoy forever."
The Land Trust's Conservation Lands Manager Ian Stewart will lead an exploration of the Fernald's Neck Preserve on Wednesday, April 23, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. No advance registration is necessary. The preserve is at the end of Fernald's Neck Road, which is on the left after the Youngtown Inn on Route 52 (if heading from Camden). The preserve, as with all the Land Trust's preserves, is open to the public during daylight hours for low impact outdoor recreation uses. As a reminder, dogs are not allowed on this preserve, although they are allowed, on leash, on many other Land Trust properties.
Coastal Mountains Land Trust has worked since 1986 to permanently conserve land to benefit the natural and human communities of western Penobscot Bay. To date, it has protected more than 6,500 acres in the region for their natural, scenic and public recreation resources. For more information about the Land Trust or the Warren land donation, please call (207) 236-7091 or visit www.coastalmountains.org.
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CELEBRATION TIME : FIRST PHASE OF BALD & RAGGED MOUNTAINS CAMPAIGN COMPLETED AND MORE LAND IS ON THE WAY!
(CAMDEN)--In 2003 Coastal Mountains Land Trust launched Phase One of a major effort to conserve Bald and Ragged Mountains, the highest summits in the Camden Hills not yet preserved. The Land Trust recently announced that in late 2007 it surpassed its Phase One campaign goal of $3,600,000. In addition, in early 2008 the Land Trust entered into a purchase agreement with Bob and Judy Oxton for a parcel that will link the Camden Snow Bowl with lands already conserved.
This sunrise view from Bald Mountain reveals the bay, Hosmer Pond, and clouds of snow-making at the Camden Snow Bowl on Ragged Mountain.
541 donations totaling $3,667,000 made this achievement possible--$2,414,000 from local contributors, $917,000 from donations of new conservation land, and $336,000 from foundation and government sources.
These funds have enabled the Land Trust to complete acquisition of 18 parcels in the mountains. Complemented by 298 acres of land owned by the Town of Camden and a 25-acre conservation easement on Ragged Mountain held by Georges River Land Trust, total land protection in the mountains has reached 1,323 acres--40% of the 3,320-acre conservation goal.
Conservation of this natural legacy will enhance and preserve the community's quality of life and local economy by preserving the dramatic scenery of the two mountains, conserving large, unfragmented areas of wildlife habitat, and permanently protecting public-access trails in these mountains, including the Georges Highland Path created by Georges River Land Trust.
In addition, the success of the campaign's first phase has catalyzed a collaboration between the Land Trust and the Town of Camden's Ragged Mountain Recreation Area--the Gateway to the Mountains. Originating from the Camden Snow Bowl, the Gateway will provide four-season opportunities for outdoor recreation on new trails both north and south of the Snow Bowl. Last October, the Land Trust and Snow Bowl jointly opened the first new Gateway feature, the 1.75-mile Hosmer Brook Trail beginning at the main lodge.
The Land Trust's Executive Director Scott Dickerson explained, "Building collaborative relationships with such organizations as the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area, The Nature Conservancy, Georges River Land Trust, and possibly others in the future is the natural thing to do as we advance this ambitious conservation program."
As the Land Trust builds partnerships in furthering conservation goals of Bald and Ragged Mountains, acquisition of the Oxton property will be an essential component to solidify these efforts.
The Land Trust recently signed a purchase agreement with Bob and Judy Oxton for their 13-acre forested property on Ragged Mountain. The Oxtons share the Land Trust's vision that Ragged Mountain will always be available for hiking, biking, and other recreation based from the Camden Snow Bowl. Abutting the Snow Bowl, the property contains trails that will connect the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area to the Land Trust's 326-acre Ragged Mountain Preserve to the south--trails frequented by mountain bikers, hikers, and cross-country skiers.
The Oxtons have generously agreed to sell their property well below market value, further contributing to the Land Trust's efforts. Bob said, "We've owned that land for almost 10 years. A lot of people use the trails up there, so we wanted the property to end up with the Land Trust. It's the right thing to do."
Jeff Kuller, Director of Camden Parks and Recreation, said of this exciting news, "With the generosity and foresight of the Oxtons, a key link will be forged between the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area and land to the south already conserved by the Land Trust, further enhancing the Gateway. Hats off to the Oxtons and the Land Trust for protecting our coastal mountains for communities of wild creatures and future human generations to enjoy!"
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LAND TRUST SURPASSES 6,000 ACRES AT TURN OF YEAR
(CAMDEN)--Coastal Mountains Land Trust celebrated both the end of 2007 and the beginning of the new year with three new conservation projects, lifting its conserved land total above the 6,000-acre mark. The Land Trust has now conserved 6,574 acres since it began serving in the western Penobscot Bay region more than 21 years ago. Of that total, 1,271 acres were added in 2007 or the first week of 2008--making this past year truly remarkable for local land conservation!
Of the eleven land conservation projects completed during this period, three were conservation easements that total 665 acres. A conservation easement is a permanent deed restriction, tailored to conserve resources of individual properties such as agricultural land, working forest, or wildlife habitat. This year the easements donated to us protect waterfront on Alford Lake, a large family farm and forest in Lincolnville, and a significant wetland in Swanville. The Land Trust, as holder of these easements, is responsible for ensuring the properties retain their conservation values. The land, however, is still privately owned and not open to the public without the owners' permission.
The remaining eight projects were purchases or donations of land. Transfer of the 326-acre Fernald's Neck Preserve on Megunticook Lake from The Nature Conservancy this past spring was the largest. Three acquisitions increased the Land Trust's protection of Bald and Ragged Mountains by more than 179 acres. Two projects continued the Land Trust's progress conserving the Ducktrap River watershed, adding 235 feet of protection to the river and 629 feet on Ducktrap Harbor. A portion of Hatchet Mountain near Hope village was conserved, creating Hope's first public footpath. And a 61-acre property in Northport, the McLellan-Poor Preserve, was transferred to the Land Trust from Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Altogether, Coastal Mountains Land Trust's new preserve properties total 606 acres.
Bald Mountain, as viewed from the Camden Snow Bowl chairlift. The forested bluffs below and and the rise to the left of the summit were conserved in 2007; the summit was protected in 2004.
All properties owned by the Land Trust are open to the public, although trails are not built until ecological inventories and management plans are conducted for each preserve. Thus, newer preserves are open for exploration but may not yet have a trail. In the new year, the Land Trust anticipates expanding its trail system on Ragged Mountain and improving the trail and parking area for better access to Hatchet Mountain.
The year 2007 closed with a generous donation of land from James Murray and his sister, Joan Webster. The 10-acre Murray Preserve, named in honor of their parents, is situated on Ducktrap Harbor. It abuts the land owned by the State of Maine at the Ducktrap River bar, currently managed under lease to the Town of Lincolnville as a public park. The new Murray Preserve features a scenic field identified as worthy of conservation by the Town of Lincolnville's Comprehensive Plan, and includes 629 feet of rocky shorefront on the southern side of Ducktrap Harbor.
In the first week of January, the Land Trust continued its momentum with purchase of 12 acres on Bald Mountain from Kenneth Walker. The land, a dramatic composition of bald ledges and mature hardwoods, overlooks land previously conserved on the summit and western slope of the mountain. The new acquisition to the Bald Mountain Preserve, now 500 acres, protects a portion of the popular Bald Mountain Path and offers highly scenic views of Ragged Mountain and Penobscot Bay. The property also features two exemplary natural communities, "dwarf oak-pine woodland" and "low elevation bald," as designated by the Maine Natural Areas Program. With this purchase, the Land Trust has achieved 40% of its goal to conserve 3,320 acres of undeveloped land on Bald and Ragged Mountains.
Coastal Mountains Land Trust has been working to permanently conserve land to benefit the natural and human communities of western Penobscot Bay since 1986. For more information, please visit www.coastalmountains.org, or call (207) 236-7091.
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CONSERVATION EASEMENT DONATION BOOSTS LAND TRUST EFFORTS IN HOPE
(HOPE)--In early December Sharon Mann celebrated the spirit of the holiday season by donating to Coastal Mountains Land Trust a 19.3-acre Conservation Easement on her property on the shores of Alford Lake in Hope.
Sharon's involvement with Coastal Mountains Land Trust began with her engagement on the Hatchet Mountain Campaign Committee--a group that came together to raise funds to support conservation of the Hatchet Mountain Preserve in Hope. Her dedication to land preservation continued as she pursued granting a Conservation Easement on her own property.
The property contains a small field on Hatchet Mountain Road, while the remainder being a forested mix of coniferous and deciduous trees. A stream meanders through the property, draining from Lily Pond into Alford Lake. The property also has over 250 feet of shore frontage on Alford Lake.
A conservation easement is a permanent deed restriction, tailored to conserve resources of individual properties. For example, some easements conserve agricultural land, timber land, or wildlife habitat. In this case, a portion of the property remains available for agriculture, and most of the protected property will remain "forever wild." The Land Trust, as holder of this easement, is responsible for ensuring Mann's property remains undeveloped and preserved in its natural state. The land, however, is still owned by Mann and not open to the public without her permission.
Coastal Mountains Land Trust has been working since 1986 to permanently conserve land to benefit the natural and human communities of the western Penobscot Bay region. The Mann Conservation Easement boosts the total acreage of land protected by the Land Trust to more than 5,900 acres! The Land Trust has conserved a total of 374 acres in Hope, including the Hatchet Mountain Preserve and several properties on Bald Mountain.
For more information about the Land Trust or about working with them on a conservation future for your property, please call (207) 236-7091 or visit www.coastalmountains.org.
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AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE, DUCKTRAP RIVERFRONT CONSERVATION CONTINUES
(LINCOLNVILLE)--A two-acre riverfront property that links the Sebold Tract of Coastal Mountains Land Trust's Ducktrap River Preserve to the Ducktrap River itself has recently been purchased by the Land Trust.
Acquisition of the small but highly visible parcel bridges a critical gap in the Preserve along Route 52 that many have thought was already conserved. The property protects crucial Atlantic salmon spawning habitat in the Ducktrap, which is one of the few remaining rivers in the state to host an indigenous population of the endangered fish species.
Purchase of the property was funded entirely through a dedicated grant to mitigate wetlands impacts, administered by the Land for Maine's Future program.
The Land Trust will transfer the property to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Under their ownership, the property will remain in its natural forested condition and provide public access to the Ducktrap River for fishing, wildlife observation and other recreational activities.
Coastal Mountains Land Trust has been working since 1986 to permanently conserve land to benefit the natural and human communities of western Penobscot Bay. The Land Trust has protected 5,900 acres, including more than 1,200 acres in the Ducktrap River watershed and 83% of the land along the river. For more information on the Land Trust or its ongoing conservation efforts in the Ducktrap River watershed, please call (207) 236-7091 or visit www.coastalmountains.org.
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PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE FOR NEWLY RESTORED BEECH NUT
(ROCKPORT)--Beech Nut, the historic stone house on the summit of Beech Hill in Rockport, will be open to the public on Saturday, November 17, 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Coastal Mountains Land Trust, which owns and manages the Beech Hill Preserve, recently completed restoration of the building from its foundations to its sod roof. Land Trust staff and board members will be on hand to talk about the history of Beech Hill, now on the National Register of Historic Places, and the process of bringing Beech Nut back from the brink of total deterioration. A shuttle will be available for those unable to make the .75-mile climb up the road to the hut.
The Land Trust engaged Scholz & Barclay Architecture of Camden to design the restoration, based on a previous historic evaluation of Beech Nut conducted by the preservation architecture firm Barba & Wheelock. The general contract for construction was awarded to Landmark Construction of Warren, whose workmen and subcontractors have worked with great care to bring Beech Nut back to its original glory.
During the process, all of the wood structure in the floor and roof was removed due to rot, and the building was reduced to its stone walls. The stone walls were completely repaired, from the basement to the chimney top. New framing was installed for the interior floor. New roof timbers were constructed, decked, covered with a special membrane, and new sod was added to sod that was salvaged from the original roof. Though the original windows and doors have been gone from the building for more than 20 years, study of the old photographs of the Beech Nut enabled new windows and doors to be fabricated in the same style as the originals. Finally, the terrace surrounding the north, east, and south sides of hut has been replaced.
View from the terrace toward Chickawaukee Lake
The building has been reconstructed with great respect for its historic character, while using modern materials and techniques that will help sustain the structure well beyond the next hundred years. The interior of Beech Nut has not been completely restored. Over the next two years, the Land Trust's Board of Directors will evaluate potential uses for Beech Nut, which will determine how the interior work will be completed.
This work was made possible with the help of more than 100 donors, including the 1772 Foundation, the Otter Island Foundation, and a $200,000 challenge grant from an anonymous foundation. About half of the challenge grant has been matched. Meeting the entirety of that challenge is essential to assuring the Beech Nut and the Beech Hill Preserve can be sustained as the historic landscape that earned a place in the National Historic Registry.
Coastal Mountains Land Trust permanently conserves land to benefit the natural and human communities of western Penobscot Bay, protecting 5,900 acres since 1986. For more information, please contact the Land Trust at (207) 236-7091.
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SUCCESSFUL CONTOURS BENEFIT ART SHOW STILL HAS SOMETHING NEW TO OFFER
(ROCKPORT)--Contours, the benefit art event featured at Elan Fine Arts until November 11, has recently hung several new pieces. The show, which features work by one hundred of some of Maine's finest artists, has been deemed a success by all standards--from the overwhelming response and quality of work offered by participating artists, to the full house opening reception on October 5, to the number of pieces that have been sold thus far.
To date, nineteen works of art have been sold or reserved, ultimately yielding important funds to support Coastal Mountains Land Trust's land conservation work in the western Penobscot Bay region. The gallery is donating a portion of its commission on each sale to the Land Trust, and many of the artists are voluntarily donating a percentage, as well. Contours was also made possible by the support of Bangor Savings Bank and Scholz & Barclay Architecture.
The concept of Contours has been to emphasize the connection between art, land conservation, and Maine's economy--recognizing the value of protecting the natural beauty of an area has inspired so much creativity.
Even if you have already visited the show, Contours is worth a second look. New works have been hung as others have been sold or rearranged. Gallery visitors may also arrange with Elan staff to view additional works by participating artists that are not currently on the walls. The sheer diversity of work on display in itself warrants more than one visit to the show, which completely fills the beautifully renovated gallery space (even the restroom walls feature some significant art).
"We have been pleased and overwhelmed by the response to this show," said Scott Dickerson, Coastal Mountains Land Trust's executive director. "But the show isn't over, and we hope the initial momentum continues. Because this is the major fund-raising event of the year for us, the overall success of the show will significantly affect the conservation work we are able to accomplish in the near future."
The Land Trust has protected almost 5,900 acres to date, including such natural gems as Beech Hill and Beauchamp Point in Rockport, over 1,000 acres on Bald and Ragged Mountains in the Camden Hills, Belfast's Passagassawakeag Greenway, shore frontage on Megunticook Lake, and more than 83% of the Ducktrap River corridor.
Contours will continue until November 11. Works may also be viewed on an on-line catalog via www.contours-art.com and are available for purchase from Elan Fine Arts through the end of the year. For more information on Contours, please contact Elan Fine Arts at (207) 236-4401 or visit www.elanfinearts.com.
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Camden Parks & Rec and Land Trust Inaugurate Gateway to Ragged and Bald Mountains
The Hosmer Brook Trail begins at the Gateway and explores the east side of Ragged Mountain and the headwaters of Hosmer Pond.
(CAMDEN)--As part of Camden's annual Ragged Mountain Festival on Sunday, October 14, Coastal Mountains Land Trust and the Camden Parks and Recreation Department will celebrate together the opening of the Gateway to Ragged and Bald Mountains. A joint project of the two organizations, the goal of the Gateway is to expand the recreational opportunities available from the Camden Snow Bowl by providing public access to the larger Ragged and Bald Mountains area which the Land Trust is working to conserve.
With its large parking area and other public facilities, the Snow Bowl will serve as the hub for numerous new hiking and mountain biking trails that explore these mountains. "We're thrilled to being working together with the Land Trust to develop more ways for people to get out and enjoy this beautiful place," said Jeff Kuller, Director of Camden Parks and Recreation.
The official opening of the Gateway will take place at the Snow Bowl at 1:00 p.m. with the unveiling of a new kiosk designed to provide visitors with information about the numerous trail opportunities which start from the facility's parking lot. Maps and descriptions of new hiking and mountain bike trails open for public use will be posted on the kiosk. Those interested in a walk are invited to join Coastal Mountain Land Trust's Conservation Lands Manager, Ian Stewart, on a hike of the newly constructed Hosmer Brook Loop trail, which crosses the Snow Bowl property before rising to explore the headwaters of Hosmer Brook and Hosmer Pond on the Land Trust's Ragged Mountain Preserve. The trail is 1.75 miles in length and moderate to strenuous in difficulty.
For more information about the Gateway project or about the Land Trust, please call (207) 236-7091.
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Bald Mountain Conservation on the "Wright" Track with Recent Land Purchase
(HOPE)--Coastal Mountains Land Trust has completed purchase from Bob Wright of a 70-acre parcel on the northern slopes of Bald Mountain in Hope. The property's forested slopes abut the Land Trust's Kelly Tract, and thus helps create a contiguous block of more than 300 acres of conserved land on the mountain. The new preserve, now named the Hobbs Brook Tract, contains a rich forested wetland and a brook that drains into Hobbs Pond.
Speaking about his decision to conserve his property on Bald Mountain, Bob Wright said, "It's a beautiful mountain, and I don't ever want to see it developed. I want to preserve it for the future so everyone can enjoy it, with the old woods roads and trails up there--I want to make sure we'll all be able to use those forever. I have heard a lot about the Land Trust over the years, and I know they'll take good care of it."
Once an ecological survey and management plan are completed for the Hobbs Brook Tract, it will ultimately provide a new access point for a second public trail in Hope. The Land Trust conserved the first permanent public trail in Hope earlier this summer with their purchase of 27 acres on Hatchet Mountain.
Purchase of the Hobbs Brook Tract was made possible in part by funding from the Land for Maine's Future Program and the Fields Pond Foundation, as well as many individual donors.
The Land Trust is currently working cooperatively with landowners on Bald and Ragged Mountains to protect the ecological, scenic, and recreational resources of this 3,320-acre area. Acquisition of the Hobbs Brook Tract boosts the total of protected land on the two mountains to 39% of the Land Trust's goal. The Land Trust continues to make progress conserving the two mountains, and anticipates that 43 more acres on Bald Mountain will be conserved by year's end.
Coastal Mountains Land Trust has been permanently conserving land to benefit the natural and human communities of western Penobscot Bay since 1986.
Archived Press Releases
Note: all press releases below are in PDF format.
Elfin Forest Talk and Walk in Belfast (10/25/2007)
"Art, Conservation, and the Economy of Maine": a Talk by Alan Caron (10/3/2007)
Poetry of Place: Reading and Slide Show in Belfast (9/8/2007)
Public Meeting to Discuss Hatchet Mountain Preserve (7/20/2007)
Coastal Mountains Land Trust Offers Free Blueberry Pick (7/20/2007)
A Walk Through Sears Island's Past and Future (6/13/2007)
Cooperation Is Alive and Well Between Two Midcoast Land Trusts (6/21/2007)
Land Trust takes Ownership of Fernald's Neck Preserve (4/24/2007)