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Turkey Cove Easement a Tribute to Patience and Tradition
Patience and persistence always pay off. Arthur and Susan Merrow, owners of a spectacular 28 acres of forested wetland and upland on Turkey Cove in St. George, originally bought the parcel in 1984. They immediately began thinking about how they might ensure that the land stayed forever as an undeveloped woodlot. Twenty years later the timing was right for the Merrows to donate a conservation easement to the Georges River Land Trust. The gift of the Merrow easement will protect undeveloped shoreline, woodlands, pocket wetlands, and vernal pools. Half of the property will be considered "forever wild," meaning that the forest will be left on its own, providing habitat and shelter for wildlife such as moose, deer, and grouse and creating a natural buffer for the shoreline, where a host of shorebirds frequent the mudflats. The remaining acreage will be considered "resource protection" allowing for forest management under the guidance of a forest management plan.
GRLT is very grateful for the partnership with the Merrows in the protection of their 28-acre parcel on Turkey Cove. •
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Bob Rheault ConservedMore than 20 years ago, Bob Rheault and a small group of like-minded people shared a dream of starting a land trust in the Georges River watershed. Working together, they founded the Georges River Land Trust in 1987. Bob served on the Board for many years, as much as his "day job" with Outward Bound allowed. With his formal Board service now completed, Bob devotes his volunteer time with GRLT to what he loves best: encouraging others to follow his example by placing a conservation easement on their land. Bob is also active in monitoring easements held by GRLT. "The joy of my work now with the Land Trust is that I'm 'forced' to go out and visit pieces of land I've never seen before. I get to revel in the beauty of this area." As he contemplates the future', Bob predicts that stewardship of GRLT's conservation properties will be an important issue. "When landowners give us certain rights to the land through donating a conservation easement, they also confer upon us the responsibility to enforce those rights. We are committed to that long-term responsibility, but doing it well requires resources." Given Bob's commitment to conservation over the years, it was fitting that at this year's Annual Meeting, GRLT placed a "conservation easement" on Bob, conserving him in spirit for future generations. Referring to his 20-year relationship with (GRLT, Bob says, "Working on good projects with good people makes it all worthwhile." •
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You're Invited! On Wednesday, December 6th, from 5-7 p.m., GRLT will celebrate the good work of our many volunteers. We hope you will join us! Please call 594-5166 for more information. • |
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From the Executive Director
According to the Maine State Planning Office, if the current rate and pattern of growth continues, the entire coast of Maine will be categorized as urban/suburban in '20 years. As the Land Trust approaches its 20th anniversary, we invite you to take this real threat to heart with us. We have serious choices to make. Twenty years ago, in 1987, a group of visionary volunteers made a decision to act. The Land Trust was founded and its mission was set. It was clear even then that our beautiful landscapes were changing and that unplanned commercial and residential development threatened the critical habitats, working farms and rolling hills that make the watershed such a treasured and significant region. Thanks to the participation and support of many over the last twenty years, GRLT's choice to help keep this region intact has resulted in more than 1,400 acres of conserved land, 37 miles ot conservation hiking trails and lasting partnerships. Together. we have made a difference. Looking ahead to the next twenty years, GRLT is again making choices to help ensure that our watershed's environment remains healthy and vibrant for both people and wildlife. We are choosing to focus our land protection efforts in priority areas so that your contributions help to save the most important landscapes in our watershed; we are choosing to redouble our efforts to serve as a resource to towns and landowners as they consider opportunities for conservation; and we are choosing to expand our conservation trails that invite us all to slow down and savor the lands that we love. It is a privilege to take care of our collective investment here in the watershed and together, we can help insure that our region does not transform into an urban environment in the next twenty years. Together, let's choose to reaffirm our serious commitment to the conservation of this stunning region. If we do not make this choice, who will? • Rachel Nixon Choices We Can Make
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Land Trust Welcomes New LeadersThis fall, the Land Trust welcomes two new board members. Alvin Chase, a St. George native and Georges Valley High School and University of Maine graduate,is a model citizen and businessman. Alvin's grandfather established Eastern Tire and Auto Service 60 years ago and the briefest conversation with Alvin, the current owner, reveals his pride in Eastern's Who knows the land better than a surveyor? Jim Dorsky, partner in the firm of Gartley and Dorsky Engineering & Surveying, holds further credentials — GRLT holds a conservation easement on his splendid riverfront property in Appleton, and he has been an active member of |
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VOICES IN THE WATERSHEDIn their Words
The Watershed School School begins each year with a paddle down the St. George River for students at the Watershed School. an independent high school in Rockland. Twenty students and faculty make the four-day journey from Union to Friendship. "The river trip provides the opportunity," states Phil Gerard the School's director, "for the students to get to know each other and explore the place they live." Jose Davis, a freshman, muses that it was amazing to experience so much wildlifeand varying natural habitats so close to home. "Around every bend we saw something different; we really felt we were in wilderness though we knew Route One was nearby." On one particular morning, she said it was so calm and clear it seemed as though they were paddling on air. "My hope," Jose offered, "is that we can keep it this way, natural, beautiful, and clean." • |
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Joan BrewsterEasement Donor, CushingJoan Brewster's personal vision for conservation uniquely balances the future with the past. In 1963, when she and her husband George bought their property in Cushing, the decision was simple. "We were walking down a forested lane and suddenly our view opened to a burst of color and light, expansive green fields, classic white farmhouse, and the sparkling blue of Muscongus Bay." Now, 44 years later, Joan remembers that moment as if it were yesterday. "The place expresses a beauty that would be disturbed if you changed it too much." Her home and the land indeed emanate a powerful sense of simplicity and life as it had been. "At the same time," she remarks, "there is a vitality of life yet to come." It was this vision that led Joan to conserve her land in perpetuity nearly 20 years ago. She wanted to preserve what is naturally beautiful—the fields, the forests," a place to be shared and appreciated. • |
Andrea & Allan SmithBrae Maple Farm, UnionLooking out over Round Pond, Clarry Hill, and fields grazed by Highland Andrea and Allan Smith ended up at Brae Maple Farm. "It was meant to be," Andrea offered, "as we had been looking for seven years to buy a piece of land to farm in midcoast Maine, and what could be more beautiful than this?" "But it is changing even here," Allan notes. "Walking out our front door, we used to see three dairy farms that are no longer here." As they both look to the future, they comment on how important it will be to protect what they have—and beyond that, to share it. Humbly they say, "We did not make this place beautiful, it is by virtue of the land itself and the fabulous soils. It would be unfair to keep this place to ourselves." •
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Don ReimerVolunteer & Expert Birder"For me, the St. George River is a prime example of how communities can work together to restore and preserve a tremendous natural resource. The river itself and the Georges Highland Path connect towns special ways. From my considerable time spent along its banks, I have enjoyed first–hand the wide variety of plant and animal life found at every turn of the river. Although new or different conservation challenges will come with time, our informed and dedicated membership may prove to be the greatest resource lor the river's sound future." • |
Dave GetchellFounder, Georges
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Out of Place Plants
Some of our more showy and colorful plants in the landscape are "out–of–place." These plants, known as invasives, inhibit the growth of native seedlings, thereby changing habitats, native plant varieties, natural sources of food and fiber products, and feeding opportunities for local wildlife. One particularly invasive species, purple loosestrife, is recognizable by its spike–like purple flowers and its dramatic proliferation in wetlands, roadside ditches, and even open meadows. Other invasive plants in Maine include multiflora rose, common and flossy buck–thorns, shrubby honeysuckles, Oriental bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, and Japanese barberry. These plants arrived in Maine both intentionally and unintentionally as food, landscape plants, in crop seeds, in soil, and in ships' ballast. If you notice any of these plants in your yard or garden, eliminate them and replace with native, non–invasive species for the lasting integrity and diversity of our native landscape. • News You Can Use — Time SensitiveThe Pension Protection Act, which President Bush signed into law in August 2006, contains two provisions—both of which are only applicable in 2006 and 2007—that are of special interest to conservationists.
2. For people at least 70 1⁄2 years of age, it is now possible to make a gift
from your IRA directly to a qualified charity without counting such a distribution as income.
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Choose to Donate to GRLT Online!Thanks to the wizardry of the Internet, you can now support GRIT by making a contribution online! Our request for you to consider a special year-end gift to GRLT will be in your mailbox soon—why not consider making your tax-deductible year–end contribution online? Click HERE to go to the Join/Contribute page now. • Roland Libby Knows What He Loves "Are you ready to fly?" With those words, Cushing resident and dance enthusiast Roland Libby whisked his East Coast Swing partner onto the floor and whirled toward a first place finish. Roland, a native Mainer, is a man who knows what lie loves. Following a rewarding career as an engineer, he has devoted his time and resources to the things he finds most meaningful—kayaking, biking, hiking, caring for and enjoying his land, and—of course—dancing. Knowing that his children and grandchildren will be provided for, Roland has decided to help ensure that the places he enjoys while out–of–doors will remain available to others. Through a gift to the Georges River Land Trust that will take place after his lifetime, he is caring for the places he loves so that all of us may enjoy them in the future. Thank you, Roland, for creating a lasting legacy for the flora, fauna, and people of the Georges River watershed. • |
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A Special Thanks to Retiring Board Member Richard Lee
Thank you, Richard, for six years of service on the GRLT board. We appreciate and will miss your ability to establish strong relationships with a wide variety of people; your down–to–earth practicality and sense of history; and your generosity and that of your great partner, Cherry Short–Lee, for hosting the annual meeting two years ago; for being part of the Garden Tour, for letting us meet in your house; and letting us us keep our canoe flotilla—all on your beautiful land on the river. You are a true conservation partner. •
2006 Garden Tour a Smashing Success!
The 2006 Gardens in the Watershed Tour celebrated its 15th anniversary in style in the lower watershed. The Tour featured more gardens (8!), more participants (600+!), more complicated logistics (shuttle busses!) and a higher gross ($27,000!) than any previous year. We extend our thanks to Camden National Bank for being the Tour's lead sponsor and to Garden Tour Committee members Christine Beacham, Jane Bracy, Mary Ann Carey, Jackie Dunham, Norma Jones, Jane Rasmussen, Jan Wirth, Linda Arnold and Committee Co–Chairs Pat Ashton and Betsy Welch for putting together such a sparkling event. We are grateful to all of the garden owners: Hugh and Ann Aaron, Maryann BIaisdell, Bob Garcia and Kim Young, Samuel and Ann Guild, Leslie Land, Joseph and Linda Smith, Nellie Taft and Helen Wisdom for sharing their gardens, to artists Ann Aaron, Lois Dodd and Nellie Taft for opening their studios on the day of the tour, and to Joan Brewster for providing a beautiful parking and luncheon site. Save the Date! The 2007 Gardens in the Watershed tour will be held in the upper watershed on Sunday, July 15th, 2007. • |
GEORGES RIVER LAND TRUSTFounded in 1987, the mission of the Georges River Land Trust is to conserve and protect, for the public benefit, the natural resources and traditional character of the Georges River watershed. BOARD OF DIRECTORSDavid Farmer, President, Cushing STAFFRachel Nixon, Executive Director Wish ListCanoe paddles |
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Georges River Land Trust - 8 North Main Street, Suite 200 - Rockland, ME 04841-3154 (207) 594-5166 Email: info@grlt.org [Home] [Join/Contribute] [Volunteer]
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" The Merrow's commitment to place goes well beyond this parcel of land. Susan's family started coming to Turkey Cove in the 1930s. From their home, Arthur and Susan can see the homes of Susan's two aunts and her brother. Photos of the cove 50 years ago hang in the living room. Their appreciation for tradition, history, and open space is nearly palpable and motivated them to pursue conservation. Even when they are back at their winter home in Connecticut, Arthur and Susan are active in local and national conservation efforts. Susan was president of the Sierra Club in the early '90s and currently serves as the Chair of the Connecticut Advisory Committee of the Trust for Public Land. Arthur was a founding member of their local East Haddam Land Trust.
outstanding reputation for quality and integrity as well as its commitment to the community. Alvin has a strong sense of history and a passionate devotion to the St. George River. He and his family live in an 18th-century house on the river in Warren, and he has a keen awareness for our area's abundant natural resources. His devotion to the watershed he knows so intimately is contagious, and we are delighted to welcome him to the Board.
the Land Trust's Land Protection Committee for the past two years. Born into :a many-generation Maine family, Jim grew up iii Flameout and graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Forestry Engineering. After a sojourn in Alaska and the Southwest, he and his growing family moved back to Maine and acquired their farm from Whitney and Tony Oppersdorf in 2005. With his expertise and commitment to conservation, Jim is a most welcome addition to the Board. •
