Land Trust Acquires 410-acre Whitten Hill Property!
On June 30, 2010 the Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance (SWLA) closed on the purchase of the 410-acre Whitten Hill property in Montville after a two-year campaign. More than $726,000 was raised, a portion of which will be placed into a fund for the long-term stewardship of the property. “I cannot convey how pleased we are to have protected this beautiful and strategically located property,” said SWLA Board member Read Brugger of Freedom. “We worked hard to make this happen”.
In 2008 a conservation plan was completed for the entire 204,900-acre Sheepscot River watershed. Whitten Hill lies within one of the priority areas identified for protection. The land is contiguous with seven properties already conserved by SWLA and its protection creates a core block of 1,100 protected acres—an area larger than Sears Island in Penobscot Bay.
Of Whitten Hill’s 410 acres, 396 are forested with excellent wildlife habitat for species requiring undisturbed river corridor habitat and interior, mature forest. The remaining fourteen acres are in fields and will be maintained as such to provide woodcock and other bird habitat.
SWLA’s management objective for the property is to protect the forestland as forever wild—no disturbance from activities such as forestry or development—to help promote greater biodiversity and ecosystem function in the region.
Biodiversity is the “variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur.” Scientists have determined that the biggest threats to biodiversity are habitat loss, fragmentation of natural areas and the introduction of non-native species.
Whitten Hill is one of the largest remaining properties in the Sheepscot River watershed, with more than 2,600 feet of frontage on the pristine headwaters and a forest with trees as old as 200 years. The property is part of a larger landscape vision to conserve more than 10,000 contiguous acres of working forest and forever wild lands that would stretch from the State’s Frye Mountain Wildlife Management Area to the Sheepscot River headwaters. More than 7,100 acres are conserved in this area to date, in public agency, land trust and private ownerships.
In 2000 the Sheepscot River was one of eight Maine rivers identified as critical habitat for the endangered Atlantic salmon and the river on the property has documented Atlantic salmon spawning and rearing habitat. In 2009, for the first time, Atlantic salmon fry were released in the upper watershed at several locations in Palermo and Montville. Another 54,000 fry were also released in 2010 and it is hoped that the high quality habitat in the upper watershed will support a successful rearing effort and higher returns of adult salmon to the Sheepscot River in subsequent years.
Although there was substantial local support for which SWLA Executive Director Buck O’Herin says they are “immensely grateful,” bookend awards –from the Land for Maine’s Future Program in 2008 ($244,000) and Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program in 2010 ($175,000) –were critical to the success of this project. “When our 2008 grant application to LMF was successful we knew we had a good chance to protect the land,” said O’Herin. “Our successful application in the 2009 inaugural round of MNRCP grants cinched it for us. I was always confident that Whitten Hill would be protected; I just wasn’t sure how long it would take us.”
A popular 26-mile trail network, the largest footpath network in Waldo County and one of the largest in midcoast Maine, crosses Whitten Hill and the adjoining properties. In addition to non-motorized recreation, Whitten Hill is open to the public for hunting, fishing and trapping.
SWLA has been protecting land in the upper Sheepscot River watershed in Waldo County through conservation easements and land acquisitions since 1991. SWLA now protects 1,250 acres and 12 diverse properties that include forever wild land, working woodlands, wetlands and fields. For more information about SWLA and their work or to contribute to the Whitten Hill stewardship fund call 207-589-3230 or write to SWLA, PO Box 371, Liberty, ME 04949.
Imagine...10,000 conserved acres connected by backcountry trails. Wherever you live, this would be an extraordinary resource. It’s exciting to work on this landscape vision in mid-coast Maine, close to Belfast, Augusta, Camden and Waterville.
The 410-acre Whitten Hill Project, in the headwaters region of the Sheepscot River, is a critical part of this vision. For years, the Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance (SWLA) has dreamed of seeing this exceptional property conserved. Today, that dream is within reach. SWLA and the landowner recently negotiated an option so SWLA has the opportunity to purchase this beautiful and strategically located property, if the funds can be raised.
The Whitten Hill property and surrounding protected lands will be primarily conserved as forever wild, a special status few conserved properties in Maine receive that prohibits development and logging.
In May of 2008 a natural resources inventory for the entire Sheepscot watershed was completed by a professional ecologist. This information in collaboration with other land trusts in the watershed is being used to knowledgeably and proactively conserve land.
Protecting Whitten Hill is part of a landscape vision to conserve more than 10,000 contiguous acres of habitat, stretching from nearby 5,240-acre Frye Mountain Game Management Area to the Sheepscot headwaters. With the acquisition of this parcel more than 7,000 acres will be permanently
conserved.
Why preserve the Whitten Hill property?
■ The 410-acre Whitten Hill parcel is one of the largest remaining parcels in the Sheepscot River watershed.
■ Whitten Hill protects more than 2,600 feet of undisturbed river frontage along the upper reaches of the Sheepscot River, one of eight Maine rivers that are critical habitat for endangered Atlantic Salmon.
■ The land abuts five conserved properties that together form an 1,100- acre protected block, larger than nearby Lake St.George State Park and Ruffingham Meadow State Game Management Area combined.
■ The land contains high quality habitat for 23 critical Gulf of Maine animal and plant species, including Northern Goshawk, three warblers, Wood Thrush and Small Whorled Pogonia, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
■ Mature and old-growth forests are rare in Maine. Few southern Maine properties are permanently conserved as forever wild as the Whitten Hills property in the wildlands area will be.
■ Whitten Hill is an integral part of a 26-mile pedestrian trail network, the largest system in Waldo County and one of the largest in mid-coast Maine. SWLA and partners plan to expand this popular backcountry network.
■ Unity College uses SWLA properties as an outdoor classroom because of the exceptional opportunity to observe and research diverse ecosystems with mature forests.
■ Conserved lands provide a variety of “ecological services” benefiting human and natural communities that include providing ground water storage, purifying air, filtering pollutants, and moderating climate change.
Who will benefit?
We all benefit when we work together to protect the places that make our communities and region a special place to live and visit. The Sheepscot Headwaters Wildlands brings together families, hikers,
sportsmen and women, birders, students and teachers, snowshoers, anglers, cross-country skiers and nature photographers.
Investing in this project helps ensure that our children and great grandchildren will always have a place of quiet beauty and tall woods close to home. The Wildlands is a place to enjoy a peaceful walk in the woods, experience the changing seasons, to listen for the call of an owl or just explore the great outdoors. Wild landscapes and beautiful forests are right here, not just in remote northern Maine.
Why now?
Once taken for granted, large blocks of undeveloped land in southern Maine are diminishing, especially near the coast. Protecting large blocks of land containing the species rich and unique habitat of mature and old growth forests is essential to maintaining Maine’s biodiversity.
Today, less than 2 percent of Maine’s forests are managed as forever wild and mature and old-growth forests are in severe decline. Scientists say that the most disturbing biodiversity trend in Maine is the decrease in
mature forests.
As coastal property values soar, relatively affordable inland parcels like Whitten Hill are increasingly subject to subdivision and liquidation harvesting pressures. Traditional uses of the land for hiking and hunting are often the first casualties when “No Trespassing” signs are posted. Whitten Hill has a history of public access on the trail network and this project will ensure that tradition is continued.
Studies by the U.S. Forest Service and the Maine State Planning Office indicate that much of Southern Maine is going to experience widespread housing development and increased forest fragmentation in the near future.
It is important to act now to protect our natural heritage and quality of life. By working with landowners and using voluntary land protection techniques, SWLA brings practical, lasting solutions to these challenges.
The campaign and how you can help
This is the largest capital campaign, by far, undertaken by SWLA. The campaign has currently raised 96%, more than $714,000 of its goal, thanks to the very generous support of serveral major donors, the financial committment of 100% of its board, the Sweet Water Trust, the Davis Conservation Foundation, the John Sage Foundation, Fields Pond Foundation, Newman's Own Foundation, the Anna Marie & John E. Thron Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, the Butler Foundation, the Trilobite Fund of the Tides Foundation, a grant from the Land for Maine's Future Program and a grant from the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program.
At this point in the campaign, we continue to solicit gifts while approaching foundations. The public and business components of the campaign were launched in the fall and winter of 2009, with expected Campaign completion by summer 2010. We have faith, even in this economy, and conintue to be inspired by the positive and generous support we are receiving. It demonstrates to us the public's unquenched desire to protect and steward an array of special natural places.
The Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance is working to raise $739,000 to acquire the Whitten Hill parcel. Only with your help will SWLA reach this goal. Pledges, including matching gifts, are greatly appreciated.
Gifts of cash and appreciated stock are the lifeblood of this Campaign. We also welcome “in kind” gifts such as the donation of your time, materials or other volunteer services.
Please consider a bequest to the Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance. By naming SWLA in your will, you provide a lasting legacy that will help support SWLA’s land protection and stewardship work in perpetuity.
Donors making a gift of securities, real estate or cash may realize substantial tax benefits. Gifts should be made to Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Contact SWLA
Please contact the Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance if you are interested in donating to the Whitten Hill Project.
Email SWLA at buckoherin@fairpoint.net
Call SWLA at 207-589-3230
Thank you very much!