MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST

Annual Report 2015

© B

RID

GE

T B

ES

AW

© B

RID

GE

T B

ES

AW

The land itself reminds us how important it is to persevere in conservation work. Knowing the cumulative effort that

goes into protecting places like Cobscook Bay (see page 6) renews our determination. This persistence has served Maine

Coast Heritage Trust well, especially in years like this last one.

For nearly all of 2015, the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Program was stymied by an arbitrary freeze on voter-approved

LMF bonds that frustrated land trusts, landowners and public members of the LMF Board. Working with our partners,

MCHT catalyzed constructive and effective responses. By year-end, we witnessed a heartening reversal (see page 8).

December also brought encouraging signs of far-sighted federal policy. Congress reauthorized the Land and Water

Conservation Fund with one of its highest appropriations over the last decade. For the first time in five years, some

of those funds—$2.4 million—will be allocated to Acadia National Park for land acquisitions within its boundary

(such as Round Pond pictured here).

Congress also enhanced incentives for donating conservation easements, tripling the carry-forward period for tax

deductions and significantly increasing the percentage of income that can be deducted.

The year’s successes—in government and on the ground—reflect an unshakable public commitment to land conservation.

We extend heartfelt thanks for your support of our work and for your devotion to Maine.

Tim Glidden, President Kurt Klebe, Chair of the Board

Th e A r t o f P e r s i s t e n c e

2 Gu l f o f

In 23 projects spanning from York

County to Cobscook Bay, MCHT

conserved more than a thousand

acres in 2015. The newly protected

properties included major landmarks

like Harriman Point in Brooklin and

local treasures small in size but rich

in community significance.

As MCHT expands its portfolio of

preserves and improves public access

to them (see pages 10-11), more visitors

are enjoying them. The graphics on

these pages illustrate how many

people got out to experience Trust

preserves in 2015, and how many

helped out with stewardship.

2015 YEAR IN REVIEW

DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS

CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN 2,700

HOURS OF SERVICE DURING 2015. © B

RID

GE

T B

ES

AW

2015 Land Project Accompl ishments

3

M a i n e

In 2015, an estimated

17,500 people made

independent visits

to MCHT preserves.

17,500 600+

125+

MCHT held special events

at preserves throughout the

year, including a fall celebration

at the Kelley Farm Preserve

in Tremont attended by 125

friends and neighbors.

More than 600 people

attended MCHT field

trips during the

2015 season.

PRESERVE VISITS BY THE NUMBERS

4

Improving Recreational Access in the Midcoast

5

Maine Coast Heritage Trust worked in 2015 to secure a contract

that will conserve Whites Island, a wooded knoll in the Sheepscot

River accessible by footbridge from downtown Wiscasset. MCHT

negotiated with heirs of the late owner and will place a conservation

easement on the island before transferring it to the Town in 2016.

“This is a wonderful thing for the community,” says Todd Souza,

Wiscasset’s Director of Parks and Recreation; “it offers a great

opportunity for outdoor recreation and getting people on the water.”

Also in 2015, MCHT conserved a 71-acre property adjoining its

Erickson Fields Preserve in Rockport (where MCHT recently

completed a multi-use trail). This newly conserved parcel could

help connect the new trail to Beech Hill Preserve, a stunning

open summit overlooking Penobscot Bay that MCHT conserved

and transferred to Coastal Mountains Land Trust. This growing

trail network, near the community’s elementary and high schools,

includes a smooth, gently graded loop trail that encourages use by

visitors of all ages and abilities.

Residents and visitors to Owls Head can enjoy a new community

preserve overlooking the islands of the Mussel Ridge, thanks to a

gift by Todd Swinton. He donated to MCHT a 2-acre shorefront

field where people can picnic and hand-carry boats to the shore.

© D

av

e H

igg

ins

Ch

ris

Kit

tr

ed

ge

Gaining Ground in Cobscook Bay

6

MC

HT

On a beautiful day last summer, two Maine Coast Heritage Trust stewards inspected easements and preserves along

Straight Bay in Cobscook Bay—a wildlife-rich setting with more nesting bald eagles per square mile than anywhere

else in Maine. MCHT, local land trusts and the state have worked with landowners for over a decade to conserve more

than 1,500 acres around Straight Bay.

What made that August boat trip unusual and especially fun, notes Regional Steward Melissa Lee, was the company

of landowners who made possible two recent conservation advances. One was Kate Jans who, with her husband Tony,

recently completed a conservation easement with MCHT on 278 acres of forested land with a mile of unspoiled shore

frontage along Carlos Cove.

Also aboard that day were conservation buyers Gregory and Catharine Moser who have helped preserve three parcels

on Carlos Cove. As a professional biologist, Greg says, “I had always wanted to protect land and habitat.” When in his

retirement the opportunity arose to “be part of the cumulative effort” around the “relatively pristine” Cobscook

Bay ecosystem, Greg concluded “that is just what I want to do.”

7

Maine land trusts faced many challenges in Augusta during 2015. The legislative session began with proposals to tax

conservation properties, but the issue that came to dominate headlines was the Governor’s refusal to release voter-approved

Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) bond funds.

In response, Maine Coast Heritage Trust rallied local land trusts, forged partnerships with statewide conservation organizations,

and worked collaboratively with sportsmen, businesses, and lawmakers from

both sides of the aisle. This formidable force, with articulate spokesmen like

David Trahan of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, affirmed the many

ways that conserved lands enrich the lives of all Mainers and strengthen

the economy.

Our collective voices were heard. In the spring, legislators soundly defeated

bills that questioned whether land trust activities were charitable. By year-end,

the Governor agreed to free up nearly $11.5 million in LMF funds set aside

for more than 30 projects statewide, including four MCHT initiatives at

Clapboard Island, High Island, The Goslings and Weskeag Marsh.

One constant throughout this process was the public’s unwavering support

of land conservation. An October 2015 poll affirmed that more than 90

percent of Maine voters believe “protecting land, water, and wildlife is

critical to keeping the state’s economy strong.”

Solidifying Support for Conservation

8 Ric

h K

no

x

9LAND TRUST DAY AT

STATE HOUSE HALL OF FLAGS

Hosting Larger Groups on Casco Bay Islands

A wider range of visitors can now enjoy Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s Casco Bay island preserves, thanks to the creation

of new group campsites and an online reservation system. “It feels good to open the door to more people,” notes Regional

Steward Amanda Devine.

In addition to two small-group campsites, MCHT’s Whaleboat Island now has a site for up to 15 visitors, accommodating

outfitters, scout troops and camp groups. The Goslings, which MCHT acquired in 2014, also has a large-group campsite.

MCHT created a large-group campsite on Lanes Island, which was donated to the Trust in 2014 by Lisa and Leon Gorman.

Learning of the new campsite at Lanes was “really exciting,” notes Youth Program Director Leah McDonald at the nonprofit

Rippleffect, which already uses Whaleboat in summer programs and in fall expeditions with school groups. “It’s so

important to our program and the groups we serve to have access to these islands.”

10

co

ur

te

sy o

f L

.L.

Be

an

Improving Preserve

Visitor Experiences

MCHT stewards worked hard in 2015 to make

structural improvements at its preserves. In Eastport,

a new kiosk helps visitors understand how and when to

access Matthew’s Island (since it can only be reached

over a right-of-way and at certain tides). Regional

Steward Deirdre Whitehead says local residents are

“thrilled now to get out to this island and enjoy its

new trail.”

At Long Point Preserve in Machiasport, crews constructed

two sets of wooden steps to the shore, a parking lot,

and a perimeter trail that offers beautiful vistas and

shore access while protecting sensitive resources.

Regional Steward Amanda Devine reports that a big

effort went into constructing a set of stone stairs at Lanes

Island in Yarmouth; “people loved the pre-existing

campsite, but access was poor with a steep and slippery

shoot down to the shore.” The new steps make the

campsite safer while helping protect against erosion.

Am

an

da

De

vin

e

11

12

Maine Coast Heritage Trust recently completed its first-ever

Conservation Plan for Mount Desert Island (MDI), getting

invaluable help from its Local Advisory Committee there.

Having served as MDI’s local land trust for 25 years, MCHT has

consistently advanced goals such as farmland protection. Building

on past accomplishments, the new Plan identifies specific focus

areas to better guide staff and inform local conversations.

The Plan calls for MCHT to support ongoing efforts to ensure

affordable housing, given the high percentage of MDI land

already in conservation. It also seeks to expand the existing

volunteer base, engaging more local residents in stewardship

of the Trust’s 18 MDI preserves and in community events—

like the Harvest Celebration (shown here) held last fall at the

Kelley Farm Preserve.

MCHT is engaged—along the length of Maine’s coast—in

similar land protection planning efforts that incorporate

community concerns. In all these projects, MCHT’s community

planner Jeremy Gabrielson works closely with Trust staff,

communities and other land trusts to collaboratively identify

local needs.

Addressing Community Needs on MDI

MIS

HA

MY

TA

R

Aldermere Farm Achievers Live Up to Their Name

Among the many programs that engage youth in agriculture at MCHT’s Aldermere

Farm, the “Aldermere Achievers” 4-H Club is one of the longest running. The group’s

hard work and high standards helped it stand out at the November 2015 National

Belted Galloway Show. The group’s eight high-school-aged members worked hard

to raise $17,000 for their trip to Kentucky. They won numerous classes and secured

for Aldermere Farm the Premier Breeder award.

©K

ar

in L

eu

th

y

“ These young women were and are stellar representatives of Maine 4-H wherever they go. They are shining examples of the work and team ethic that their dedicated 4-H leader, Heidi Howard Baker, has instilled in them during their time together as a club…

I am also deeply grateful for Ron Howard’s vision, leader-ship and dedication to the youth of our counties and beyond, and for the agricultural experiences Aldermere Farm offers to all people.”

Excerpt from a letter by Ellie Libby, University of Maine Cooperative Extension (reprinted with permission)

13

In cooperation with others in the state’s nonprofit community, MCHT’s Maine Land Trust Program brought nationally

known consultant Andy Robinson back to Maine for two shared workshops on Recruiting and Managing Volunteers and

on Fundraising. “In many ways now,” says Land Trust Program Coordinator Donna Bissett, “we’re making an effort to

foster communication among different groups

so that land trusts are not

operating in silos.”

The first session, which the

Maine Land Trust Program

hosted in Bath, drew 48

participants from diverse

organizations—including

hospitals, social service

agencies, historical societies

and land trusts. Participants

raved about the opportunities

for shared learning that the workshop offered,

commenting on such highlights as “connecting

with others around common challenges and

strategies” and “the level of interactivity and

brainstorming opportunities.”

Land Trust Program Expands Networking

14

15

Your Generosity at Work on MCHT’s Preserves

As someone who loves the Maine coast, do you ever wonder what goes into taking care of the preserves

you enjoy visiting? Caring for preserves requires a lot of work—from trail creation and maintenance to

preserving healthy wildlife habitat. Next time you’re out enjoying the coast, take pride in knowing that

your support makes it all possible.

Be

nn

et

Ge

is

BOARD OF D IR ECTORS

Thomas Armstrong, Jr.

Forrest Berkley

Peter P. Blanchard III

Joseph W. Hammer

Thomas Haslett

Alix W. Hopkins

Thomas Ireland

Dawn E. Kidd

Burks B. Lapham

Jennifer R. Mahoney

Arthur C. Martinez

Lucy McCarthy

Melissa Paly

David Reis

Peter Rothschild

Doris (Didi) Stockly

Steve Sullens

Anna Marie Thron

Paula Volent

Edward E. Wendell, Jr.

Jean Wheeler

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Richard A. Spencer, Chair

Rachel F. Armstrong

Anne T. Bass

Elmer Beal, Jr.

Patricia H. Blake

Robert O. Blake (1921–2015)

Albert M. Creighton, Jr.

Gale L. Davis

Philip DeNormandie

Charles W.H. Dodge

Carol Donnelly

Dianna Emory

Horace A. Hildreth, Jr.

Elizabeth B. Johnson

E. Van R. (Morley) Milbury

C.W. Eliot Paine

George Putnam III

B O A R D A N D C O U N C I L M E M B E R S A S O F 1 1 / 1 2 / 2 0 15

KURT KLEBE, CHAIR BURT ADELMAN, VICE CHAIR PETER CHANDLER, TREASURER

FOU N D E R S

THOMAS D. CABOT (1897–1995)

MARGARET M. ROCKEFELLER (1915–1996)

Peter Quesada

Peter W. Rand

Evan D. Richert

John R. Robinson

Roxana Robinson

John Tewhey

Linzee Weld

Harold E. Woodsum, Jr.

William J. Zwartjes

SA

RA

GR

AY

21

Main Office

1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 201

Topsham, ME 04086

207-729-7366

Mount Desert Island Office

P.O. Box 669

Mount Desert, ME 04660

207-244-5100

Washington County Office

13A Willow St.

East Machias, ME 04630

207-259-5040

Aldermere Farm

70 Russell Ave.

Rockport, ME 04856

207-236-2739

www.mcht.org

COVER IMAGE: NIGHT SETTLES OVER 985-ACRE

MARSH ALL ISLAND, CONSERV ED IN 2003

THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF DONORS AND

THE LAND FOR MAINE’S FUTURE PROGRAM.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) conserves

and stewards Maine’s coastal lands and islands

for their renowned scenic beauty, ecological

value, outdoor recreational opportunities, and

contribution to community well-being. MCHT

provides statewide conservation leadership

through its work with land trusts, coastal

communities and other partners.

As a membership organization, MCHT is supported

by individuals committed to protecting Maine’s

natural beauty and resources. The Trust invites

your support and involvement.

PRINTED ON ASTROLITE PC (100% POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED STOCK)©

BR

ID

GE

T B

ES

AW

© B

RID

GE

T B

ES

AW