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Contents Good News from Vaughan Woods President's Message John St. Andre Memorial New Membership Campaign Begins Board of Directors Advisory Board Renewals Field Trip Programs to Continue Contributors The 1999 Annual Meeting

Photo by Jym St.Pierre

In October, two additional parcels were added to the conservation easement held by the Kennebec Land Trust which permanently protects the Vaughan Woods, one of the region's most valued and historical properties located in Hallowell and Farmingdale. The woods is the largest area by the KLT. The newly added parcels, totaling about eight acres, significantly enhance the integrity of the Vaughan Woods and future protection of the surrounding area. One of the newly added parcels, for many years an outholding near the core of the Woods, can now be connected to the existing trail system and fully intergrated into the conservation management of the Woods.

These additions to the Vaughan Woods conservation easement are made possible by the gift of longtime KLT members and supporters Diana and George Gibson. Due to their generosity, conservation-mindedness and foresight, lands protected within the Vaughan Woods now total 165 acres.

In October, the Friends of the Vaughan Woods held their annual work party to get the trails in shape for winter. This gathering has become a family tradition for many Vaughan Woods supporters, who enjoy working together to help maintain the trails. Over the past 18 months, owners Diana and George Gibson have also arranged for extensive professional work to restore the Woods after the Great Ice Storm of '98. These efforts have had a significant positive impact on the trail system throughout the Woods.

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It passed! Maine voters have approved the $50 million Land for Maine's Future bond issue. This new public land conservation money will reinvigorate efforts to protect and conserve important places throughout the state, including the Kennebec region. Thank you to all of you who worked for passage and voted it through.

This year it was my privilege to represent the KLT at the national Land Trust Rally in Snowmass, Colorado. As past attendees will attest, the experience of joining 1,200 like-minded people is insperational and invigorating. Personally it was a transforming experience and I return with renewed enthusiasm for the work we are doing. Even more than renewed commitment, I gained a much deeper understanding of the larger social context for the work of land conservation. While we work closely with land owners to protect areas that will provide open space, wildlife habitat, and recreational oppertunities, this work has an even greater purpose - it provides a connection to the land that is often missing in our modern lives. Providing access to the land helps keep us connected with a sense of plave and community.

As the lead story demonstrates, we continue to work with land owners to add to the special conservation areas in our region. The expansion of the Vaughan Woods conservation easement is a testament to our close ties with the Gibsons to protect and help care for this flagship property. A recent agreement for the sale of 100 acres adjacent to our land on Mr. Pisgah shows our role of working with willing sellers to keep the area open for recreational activities. The addition of the Norton parcel to the Jamies Pond Wildlife Management Area through a proposal to the Outdoor Heritiage Fund Program is a good example of how we have begun to develop strong working relationships with the State Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

A renewed focus this year will be membership growth, because we want to grow not just acre by acre, but member by member, because the strength and vitality of the KLT is our membership. Overall membership is now 360 and growing, which is really good for a rural region like ours. We can all encourage those around us to consider joining the KLT.

I was impressed and pleased to learn at the National Land Trust Rally that the level of our board is examplary. The KLT is a healthy, vibrant organization accomplishing great things thanks to the active involvement of its Board and the support of members, friends, and host communities.

Jim Connors

John St. Andre Memorial A legacy for land conservation

South Road Fields - Photo by Jym St.Pierre

As a tribute to his work, John's family wished to commemorate his memory by asking that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the KLT. This is a very generous and fitting memorial - we are proud to be a part of John's legacy. To date we have received over $500 from this bequest.

These donations generously made to this memorial fund will help continue work like John's through the enhanced capacity of the Kennebec Land Trust to protect and care for the special places in central Maine. Back to top

By far, the most effective way to increase the membership is for existing members to recruit their friends and neighbors. Just one new member recruited by each present member would double our ranks! Let's be honest, many of us have an aversion to selling. But how about looking at it this way, you will be providing an opportunity for an individual or family to do something that they might have done long ago if only someone had told them about KLT.

Ask yourself why you are a member of the Kennebec Land Trust and then pass those thoughts on to a friend or neighbor. KLT has a noble mission, is a can-do organization, and to be part of an enduring and tangible legacy is something of which we can each be justifiably proud.

Please share this newsletter with someone you think would want to join. Click here for a coupon they can use. We'll also be sending out a brochure soon in the renewal mailing that can be given out to prospective member.

Happy holidays!... and keep those new members coming.

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If you did not get a chance to take advantage of any of this past summer and fall's field trips, don't worry. There will be more. Board Director Paula Thompson has done a great job of coordinating the trips to many of our protected properties. The response has been worth the effort - we have had members, non-members, young, old, short, tall, hale, and hearty. Recent trips have ranged from sociable walks across mown fields and through piney woods at the Alice Mathews property to an exploration of the ecology of maturing forests on the Dexter Pond Parcel, to a short canoe trip on the Dead River over the historic Indian passage into Androscoggin Lake to Norris island in the company of a noted botanist to identify rare specimens of New Jersey Tea and exotic Water Tupulo. There is much to explore and enjoy on our properties.

We have worked hard to protect these special places throughout the region, let's not forget to get out and enjoy them. If you want to help lead a trip to one of our properties or some other special place, do not hesitate to call Paula Thompson at (207) 685-9541.

Look for announcements on the upcoming schedule of field trips.

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The 1999 Annual Meeting

In addition to the socializing on a beautiful late summer day, we conducted our business meeting and gave some well-deserved credit where credit was due. This year we presented several awards:

Theresa Kerchner is the first KLT Member of the Year. Theresa was recognized for her role in conserving the 52-acre Besse Historical Conservation Area in Wayne.

Albion Besse was given a plaque commemorating his donation of land to the Conservation Area named in his honor.

Jeff Pidot, retiring KLT President of two successful terms, was honored for his heroic service.

For all her work keeping our books in order, retiring Treasurer Sandra Crockett was given a plaque as our humble thanks.

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