MVLT Founders Preserve
Ted and Delia Mohlie purchased the majority of the 107-acre property in 1987 from Mildred Damon. They later purchased additional acreage from Cedric Achorn.
The Story of the Land
The preserve is bounded by stone walls, and by barbed wire where there are no stone walls, indicating a history of agriculture or grazing consistent with the typical land use history in this area. Since the Mohlies’ purchase of the property, the fields have been cut for hay late enough in the season to allow bobolinks to fledge.
This large undeveloped habitat block consists of 107 acres on its own, but when combined with the adjacent Quarry Hill Preserve (owned by the town of Waldoboro), it creates a 400-acre wildlife corridor that supports many wildlife species with its extensive wetlands, diverse forests, and farmland soils. This property is one piece in the puzzle that makes up a wildlife habitat corridor connecting the coastal peninsulas to the inland forests.
“We have been so fortunate to enjoy the woods and fields of our Depot Street property. The smell of balsam fir, the view of clouds across the sky, the sounds of bobolinks, the joy of watching wildlife through the seasons, and the feel of the breeze, have been treats for us. We want others to be able to enjoy them too.” - Ted and Delia Mohlie
Ted and Delia dedicated the property to the founders of the Medomak Valley Land Trust, which was formed in 1991. All of the initial founders were still active in the organization at the time that it merged with Midcoast Conservancy, 28 years later!
What You Might See
The vegetation of the Medomak River watershed is transitional between the coastal spruce-fir ecosystems and forests dominated by white pine and red oak. The forest communities of the MVLT Founders Preserve reflect this transition. Like the typical upland forests of the watershed, the preserve forest is mixed second growth with common species including red oak, white pine, balsam fir, red spruce, eastern hemlock, red maple, birch, big-tooth aspen and white ash. A dense understory of graminoids, forbs and ferns is found throughout with Canada mayflower, starflower, and bunchberry present. Sphagnum moss is common in the wet areas. The majority of the preserve is forested, with approximately 10 acres of active hay fields.
Over 300 species of moths and 200 species of birds have been identified on or adjacent to the property, including a number of species that are declining in New England. Some of the birds heard or observed on the property include bobolink, veery, black-and-white warbler, yellow warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, eastern towhee, and white-throated sparrow. The fields are actively managed as bobolink habitat.
Directions:
MVLT Founders Preserve
5 Hathaway Mobile Home Park
Waldoboro, ME 04572
From Waldoboro:rom Route 1, take Depot Street north for approximately 1 mile. Then turn right onto Quarry Road. Drive past the quarry and the kiosk and parking are on the right immediately before the power line crossing.
From Bremen: Take Route 32 south, turn left onto Cross Street, then turn right onto Depot Street. Stay on Depot Street for 0.8 mile then turn left onto Quarry Road. Drive past the quarry and the kiosk and parking are on the right immediately before the power line crossing.
