Coastal Mountains Land Trust

Help Keep Our Community Safer During COVID-19

Beech Hill Preserve is temporarily closed until further notice, and

Fernalds Neck is temporarily closed due to MUD SEASON.

All of our other preserves remain open. We are grateful to offer the preserves as a respite for the community.

We will be monitoring use levels and reserve the right to close preserves if their overuse becomes unsafe.

We ask you to follow the following guidelines so that we can safely continue to allow public access:

Observe social distancing even when outdoors: 6-feet, wash hands, sanitize appropriate surfaces. Stay home if you feel sick!
Preserve seem busy? Check all our trails below!
Attempt to visit a preserve at a time when it’s less likely to be busy.
Recognize that others have touched the same rocks, trees, picnic tables etc.
Take the time to explore the roads and lands around where you live, too.
As always, be aware of ticks.

EXPLORE OUR TRAILS

In Spring 2017, we published our Trail Guide. All members have received the guide, and additional copies are available by donation at our office. Download Trail Guide.

Coastal Mountains Land Trust doesn't currently have any preserves or trails in Brooks, Knox, Waldo or Morrill.

OUR PRESERVES

PRESERVE USE GUIDELINES

• All Preserves are open for low-impact public recreation during daylight hours.

• Wheeled vehicles and horses are not allowed due to trail damage.*

• Camping and fires are not allowed.

• Removal of vegetation is not allowed.

• Dogs must be leashed at all times.**

• Drones are not allowed on Land Trust preserves except by permitted use.

• Groups larger than 12 must obtain Land Trust permission prior to use of our properties.***

HUNTING

• Hunting permitted, except on Fernald's Neck, Hodson, Harkness, McPheters, and Young's Neck Preserves.

• Hunting of predators and trapping is forbidden.

• Temporary deer stands are allowed on CMLT property with Land Trust permission. Stands must be labeled with a 2x4" tag identifying the name and contact info of the stand owner, and stands must removed from our property at the end of hunting season.

* The Land Trust does maintain site specific trail agreements with various clubs to allow for limited snowmobile and mountain bike use. Please contact us for more information.

** Dogs are not permitted at the Fernald's Neck or Hodson Preserves.

*** Certain Preserves have specific restrictions and exceptions; please consult signs at the preserve entrance for details or contact the Land Trust with any questions.

MUD SEASON

Mud occurs after the snow and ice melts before the land has a chance to dry out. Typically, this means the nights are freezing and the days are warm. As the snow and ice melt and the frost is coming out of the ground, the fragile soils are saturated with water and trails become muddy.

Hiking or biking on mud causes trail damage. It widens trails and causes the thin and fragile top soil to erode away, ultimately causing harm to plants, trees, and water sources (streams, brooks, rivers) along the trail. That's why roots and rocks become exposed. Often, the months of March and April in the lower elevations and May for the higher elevations are the worst mud months.

We want everyone to enjoy the trails for as much of the year as possible, so we are not closing our trails, but, we ask that:

If there is mud, please turn around!
Stay off all trails after major rain events

You might say, But it's so nice out! I want to hike! Believe us, we get it! Hiking and biking are what we live for, and it's hard to beat spring fever and the excitement of getting in the woods. But, be prepared to turn around if the trail is muddy. Rock is durable. Hard, dry soil is durable. Mud is not durable. Help us protect the trail for use the rest of the year by turning around when you come upon a muddy section. Bottom line is that we want everyone to enjoy them for a long time so we're not closing the trails, but, if there is mud, please turn around!

During mud season please limit motorized vehicle access to these Coastal Mountains Land Trust's properties located on unpaved roads: Fernalds Neck, Lincolnville; St. Clair Preserve, Knights Pond Road, Northport; Main Stream Preserve, Stockton Springs.

We ask everyone to please respect the signage you see.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer Enrollment Form

Volunteers are integral to the success of Coastal Mountains Land Trust. If you are a current volunteer for the Land Trust, we hope you will continue to be involved. If you are new to our volunteer program, we invite you to join us. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions.

The Land Trust is always seeking help with a range of stewardship and outreach activities. Specifically, we're looking for:

Short Term Volunteers (on call for workdays)

Throughout the year, we organize groups of volunteers for stewardship and outreach work parties that last from 2-4 hours. Office-based projects include stuffing envelopes, putting together newsletter mailings, and preparing for events. Field crews, based in Camden and Belfast, work from 9:00am to noon most Wednesdays, clearing trails, marking boundaries, building bridges, and pulling invasive plants.

Ongoing Stewardship & Outreach Volunteers

The Land Trust also recruits to fill a range of volunteer positions that require an on-going commitment and knowledge of the area and the Land Trust. Time committments range from 1 day/week to 1 day/month. What follows is a list of the long-term stewardship and outreach positions for which we are seeking interested candidates.

Stewardship

Land Stewards

Enjoy walking out in the woods? These positions act to serve as the eyes and ears for the Land Trust out in the field... monitoring the conditions on the ground of our conservation properties, easements, and trails.

Beech Hill Steward

Beech Hill stewards serve as monitors of the Preserve and as hosts to visitors of Beech Hill Preserve. Stewards work independently and assist with observing visitor activity as well as condition of trails, signage, and Beech Nut (the sod-roofed stone hut at the summit). Stewards also convey Preserve guidelines to those inquiring and to those not complying.

Fernald's Neck Docents
Have you always wanted to engage the public in a natural setting? The position will provide scheduled coverage of the Preserve during high use times during the summer, and assistance on maintenance projects. 4-8 hrs/month. 3-5 positions.

Outreach

Office Docent

We can always use an extra pair of hands at our busy office. Join the hubbub by assisting staff with office maintenance and helping with miscellaneous projects. 4 hrs/week or month.

New Property Buyers Researcher

If you're looking for an easy way to help a lot, this job is for you! The primary duties of this position are to visit town offices and review their recent property transfer tax documents, recording appropriate information and passing your notes along to the Land Trust via postal mail, e-mail, or drop-off. 20 minutes per office plus travel time in January, April, July, and October.

Outreach Assistant

This position is for the gregarious outdoor enthusiast. The bulk of this position will be planning and leading monthly informal hikes on our preserves. As time permits, you may also be involved in outreach planning, formal outreach events, and exhibition displays. 2-4 hrs/month.

Beech Hill Docent

Are you a history buff? Join the Beech Hill docents and cover Open Houses at Beech Nut throughout summer. The position includes opening Beech Nut and providing information to the public on cultural and natural history and current uses of Beech Hill Preserve. 2 hrs/month.

ATTEND AN EVENT

We offer many ways for community members to be involved in our organization—we truly have something for everyone! There are get-your-hands-dirty volunteering events, winter snowshoe/ski outings, year-round hikes, guided paddles, trail and fun runs. We have plenty of kid-friendly events: pack your basket for a summer solstice picnic, kick up your heels at Arts on the Hills music, learn how our organic blueberry farm works while trying your hand at raking and winnowing, munch on blueberries at August’s berry pick, and enjoy Blueberry Tales with Camden Public Library's Miss Amy.

To sign up, please contact us with the name and date of the event in the subject line.

Scroll down to see all events

The mission of the Beech Hill Organic Blueberry Farm program is to demonstrate organic blueberry management practices and to promote a greater understanding in the community of the benefits of an ecologically organic blueberry farm. Coastal Mountains Land Trust has been managing Beech Hill Preserve's blueberry fields since 2003. Currently, there are 25 acres of MOFGA-certified organic blueberries in production. All funds raised from Blueberry sales are used to support our efforts to maintain Beech Hill Preserve’s 295-acres for bird habitat, scenic views, its unique historic landscape, and more blueberries!

BEECH HILL BLUEBERRIES

Annual Free Pick

Enjoy picking your own berries? Since 2003 we have opened designated fields to the public for a blueberry Free Pick day. Stay tuned for more details.

COASTAL MOUNTAINS NATURE PROGRAM

The Coastal Mountains Nature Program hosts a series of monthly walks and occasional talks exploring the natural history of Mid-Coast Maine. All walks take place on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. until noon unless otherwise specified. Each walk has a particular area of focus, led by a knowledgeable leader, and participants are encouraged to share their knowledge of anything that we discover. Stay tuned for 2020 schedule..