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Contents Living Up To Our Name - KLT On Its 20th Anniversary President's Message Board of Directors Advisory Board 2008 Calendar and KLT T-Shirt Order Form KLT Celebrates Another Banner Year Many Thanks For Assisting With Our Annual Meeting Echo Lake Watershed Preserve Has Been Saved! KLT Calendar of Events Your Investment In Conservation Thank You for Supporting KLT's Annual Appeal - Jamies Pond Notes from Main Street Welcome New Members Please Patronize Our Business Partners in Conservation New Trail at Gannett Woods

Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsors Longfellow's Greenhouses & J. S. McCarthy Printers

The people of the Kennebec have always been close to the land. The first humans migrated seasonally along the rivers and lakes. Europeans came in waves in the 1600s, and by the mid 1700s villages had been established along the Kennebec River and lone pioneers were moving inland to create the earliest settlements in Maine situated away from navigable water.

The 19th century brought the industrial revolution to the Kennebec lakes region, while the use of land for agriculture peaked. The World Wars and the Great Depression kept our towns rural into the early 20th century. By the l970-80s, however, unchecked suburban sprawl threatened to obliterate the beauty of our lakeshores and the charm of our town centers. Houses were being scattered in chaotic confusion across the landscape. Strip malls were replacing downtowns. Schools were relocating to the village outskirts. Shoreland zoning helped, but enforcement was uneven and market forces were still accelerating development in the countryside. Something else was needed.

During the spring of 1988, Howard Lake and I spoke for the first time about starting a regional land trust. Shortly afterward, we heard that officials from Wayne, Winthrop, and Readfield were meeting to discuss starting land trusts for each town. The prospect of many small land trusts, with the resultant loss of economies of scale, was alarming. Fortunately, we were given a chance to test support for a multi-town land trust.

With logistical assistance from the Cooperative Extension Service and technical and moral support from Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a mailing list was hastily compiled that included everyone we knew in the communities of western Kennebec County with an interest in the land. We need not have worried about whether anyone would attend an indoor gathering on a hot summer evening. Scores did. Within three months, KLT was incorporated with bylaws, a board, and a band of volunteers raring to save land.

Two decades later, KLT has over 600 members, a board of directors and advisors that is the envy of land trusts across the country, responsibility for more than 3,000 acres of conserved properties worth over $3 million, a professional stewardship director and dozens of volunteer stewards, a first-class outreach program of field trips and lyceum lectures, and a sparkling annual dinner.

Twenty years ago those of us who launched this ark knew it would be a big challenge to live up to our name. We needed to be rooted in our region (Kennebec). We needed to focus on the earth (Land). And we needed to be able to work together (Trust). Much has been done. There is much to do. Thank you sincerely to everyone who has helped make the Kennebec Land Trust a land trust leader that has more than lived up to its name.

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Greetings!,

I am pleased and honored to inherit the position of President from Deb Sewall, who so ably guided KLT for the past two years. While at times I feel overwhelmed by the size of the challenge life has thrown my way, I know that KLT is really run by the many members, volunteers, donors, board members and staff members who contribute so much to its success. It is reassuring to know that I can call on many to assist when there is work to be done! Thanks to all of you for all you do!

Fall has come and with it many transitions — in our schedules and chores, in the weather, in the landscape. During this time when life’s demands are high, I look to opportunities to get out in the woods to help bring things back into perspective. KLT lands offer many possibilities for enjoying the natural world around us through a stroll in the woods, or a paddle to an unspoiled shoreline. Take a hike up Mt. Pisgah to view spectacular fall foliage over Androscoggin Lake, visit the trails at Jamies Pond, or walk along Goff Brook at the Reynolds Forest. In particular, I look forward to hiking the new trails at Parker Pond Headlands, to stand upon its craggy granite knob at the height of fall colors. The view will be well worth the effort!

With regard to the Headlands, we should recall that a major portion of the funding to preserve this spectacular property came through the Land for Maine’s Future program. Since its creation in 1987, the Program has assisted in the acquisition of more than 444,000 acres from willing sellers, including 247,000 acres protected through conservation easements. The protected lands include more than 919 miles of shorefront and 113 miles of rail-trails as well as valuable wildlife habitat, entire islands, and working forests and farms. The citizens of Maine have overwhelmingly supported three bonds, totaling $97 million over the years of the program, to make this preservation possible. Voters will again have the opportunity to support the program this fall, by voting in favor of the $17 million bond for the program. Please vote on November 6!

And also this fall, the KLT will begin a strategic planning process aimed at setting our vision and direction for the next several years. This important exercise will mean a lot of work for as-yet to be determined volunteers (any and all accepted!), but it is crucial to continuing our spectacular success.

Thanks, and I hope you will enjoy the fall by visiting some of the special places protected by KLT.

Bob Marvinney

KLT held its 2007 reception and annual meeting on August 26 at the Augusta Country Club in Manchester. The annual meeting provides an opportunity for members, directors, advisors, and staff to meet each other and get updated on conservation activities over the past year.

Earlier in the day, KLT members enjoyed a hike on the new 90-acre Bog Pond property in Manchester. Steward Tom Bartol, Barbara Moss, and family graciously allowed us to meet (and park) on their property. The Manchester Conservation Commission provided delicious refreshments.

Treasurer Amy Trunnell noted the Trust’s sound financial status and emphasized the need for membership growth in order to meet our operating budget. Howard Lake reported for the Nominating Committee. He thanked retiring director Jim Connors for his outstanding expertise, dedication, and leadership. Outgoing director Sarah Giffen was recognized for her work on outreach materials and for designing KLT’s 20th anniversary logo.

Members unanimously elected Bill Dunham of Kents Hill and Raquel Goodrich of Gardiner to the Board of Directors. Congratulations and thanks to our new President, Bob Marvinney!

Jim Connors and Glenn Hodgkins thanked outgoing President Deb Sewall and presented her with a painting by Jim in honor of her enthusiasm and hard work.

Deb noted that the work of volunteers is the key to our ability to accomplish so much. In particular, KLT thanked:

• Advisor Jon Lund, Lands Chair Bob Mohlar, Development Chair Norm Rodrigue, and Attorney Howard Lake for their vision and hard work on saving Bog Pond Conservation Area.
• Bea Horne, who received the Volunteer of the Year Award for her dedicated, gracious and much-appreciated efforts on many of the Trust’s projects, especially the Lyceum lectures.
• Ann Judd, recipient of the Outstanding Service Award for her tireless efforts as director, steward of two properties, fund raiser on behalf of the Echo Lake Watershed, and gracious event organizer.
• John and Molly Melrose, 2007 Stewardship Award recipients. The Melroses’ extraordinary leadership at the Vassalboro Wildlife Habitat has led to a growing conservation presence in eastern Kennebec County.
• Advisors Mort and Barbara Libby for donating design and production of our first ever KLT calendar.

Deb expressed KLT’s enduring gratitude to the following land donors:

• The memory of Ilse Westman for the bequest of 26-acre Westman Woods Preserve in Readfield.
• The anonymous donor of a 220-acre addition, which includes 2,800 feet of frontage on Webber Pond, to the Vassalboro Wildlife Habitat.
• Dr. Jeffrey Timm, for donating 10 acres to the Bog Pond Conservation Area in Manchester.
• Dr. Anthony and Donna Mancini, for donating 30 acres to the Bog Pond Conservation Area in Manchester.

Dr. Timm shared some of his experiences in and around Bog Pond, and we ended the evening on humorous note.

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• 43 properties
• 3104 acres of forests, fields, hills, and wetlands, protecting wildlife habitat and water quality
• 6.8 miles of shoreline on lakes, rivers, and streams, providing public access and protecting scenic views
• 18.4 miles of trails for hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and wildlife viewing

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The spring and summer days were busy and rewarding ones for many of KLT’s stewards and volunteers. Dedicated crews worked throughout the summer on new trails for Vassalboro Wildlife Habitat, Hodgdon Island, Gannett Woods, Perkins Woods, Tyler Conservation Area and Parker Pond Headland. Several of these properties and many other KLT lands with existing trails are featured in our beautiful 14-month 20th Anniversary Trails Calendar. Click here for ordering information.

Trail design is an art and a science, and we are fortunate that our membership includes in its ranks a number of individuals who are highly skilled in trail construction techniques. Well-designed paths highlight unique natural features—lovely trees, wildflowers and shrubs, and impressive bedrock outcrops, glacial erratics, and scenic views. Well-sited trails are also strategically located to minimize impacts to sensitive wildlife habitats, rare and uncommon plants, steep slopes, and wetlands. At this year’s August annual meeting we featured KLT’s new trails, as well as information about the botanical inventories that precede final trail location decisions.

The distribution of Maine’s native flora is partially a function of the availability of plant nutrients from bedrock and soil. Calcium-rich areas are of particular interest, since many of our uncommon and rare plants are found in areas where this nutrient is present. This summer, Erik and Jon Lund proposed a trail on Hodgdon Island that led us to several calcium—rich limestone bedrock outcrops. Two plant species that are uncommon to our region—wicopy (Dirca palustris) and broad beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera)—were exciting botanical finds.

Information about our native flora and the relationships between invasive species and biodiversity will be the focus of future newsletter articles. With Longfellow’s Greenhouses as our principal newsletter sponsor, former Longfellow’s employee Eric Doucette and I will be highlighting both uncommon plants On KLT lands and native plants that are available at Longfellow’s and other area greenhouses.

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To learn more about this program, please contact KLT board member Norm Rodrigue at 207-622-6204.

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Volunteers working with the Kennebec Land Trust have recently constructed a trail through the Gannett Woods. Part of an Eagle Scout Project, the trail is a narrow hiking path that ascends a moderate slope overlooking Shedd Pond. The twenty-five volunteers worked very efficiently and advanced ahead of the timeline to establish an effective, accessible, well-marked trail.

At less than two miles for the round trip, the new trail is an excellent choice for a short cross-country ski outing in the winter or a hike year-round. Located off Manchester’s Scribner Hill Road, the trail offers the potential for a more complex trail system between Gannett Woods and Wyman Memorial Forest. In addition to providing opportunities for recreation, the path also helps to protect ecologically sensitive areas. Completed in July, the trail will serve hikers and cross-country skiers this fall, this winter, and into the future. Directions to trailhead from Readfield-Manchester Area: Take Route 17 to Route 135. Go north on Route 135 for 1.2 miles to Scribner Hill Road. Turn right (southeast) on Scribner Hill Road for 1 mile. Look for a KLT sign at the trailhead on the right (south) side of Scribner Hill Road.

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