Stewarding 15,000+ Acres
Last year, Midcoast Conservancy passed the 15,000-acre threshold of protected land, and we are rapidly approaching 16,000 acres with the conservation of key habitat areas like Clarry Hill, the Three Brooks property on Slaigo Brook, Head Tide Bend on the Sheepscot River, and many others. The initial conservation of a property is just the start of our responsibility and commitment to protecting and restoring vital lands and waters.
Our mission (and Land Trust Alliance accreditation) requires us to steward each and every one of the 15,000+ acres we protect to ensure that conservation goals are met. Properties must be monitored, inspected, and managed. Trails must be kept clear and safe. Bridges must be built and maintained. Troublesome plants and pests like knotweed and hemlock woolly adelgid must be removed or mitigated.
The stewardship of our protected lands is a tremendous effort, and it would not be possible without the dedication of our stewardship team and trail crew volunteers. And in the face of increasing frequency and intensity of storms and changing weather patterns, their job is getting harder each year.
According to Midcoast Conservancy’s Stewardship Manager, Isobel Curtis, "This winter of extreme weather really took a toll on our trails, both with the number of blowdowns and the excessive erosion. So far we have already had 8 volunteer trail days to clear blowdowns and reroute wet areas, and this doesn't even include the dedicated trail stewards who go out on their own to clear trail sections. We are indebted to all our trail volunteers, they make it possible to maintain 75 miles of public hiking trails spread out over 10 towns for community benefit. There's a lot of winter cleanup left to do but luckily many hands to help!"
Next time you are out hiking on a trail, or you see an owl that is supported by the habitat we conserve, or you take a dip in a clean, cool brook, please remember that Midcoast Conservancy's stewardship team and volunteers make it all possible. Thank you!
