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Welcome to the Web Issue of the Spring 2007 NewsletterIn this Issue: |
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Unrivaled Landscape Vulnerable to Change |
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In the lower stretches of our watershed lies an ecological and human system unrivaled in mid coast Maine for its natural beauty and traditional values. This 2,000 acre expanse stretches from the St. George River to the Weskeag Marsh in South Thomaston. For many, this place signifies coming home to the river and sea. It's a landscape where thousands of migrating shorebirds roost on hummocks or wheel together as they sweep over tlie mudflats in search of food. And, traditional economic activities continue to thrive here. Did you know that the clamflats on the St. George River are the most productive in the state of Maine, providing 128 local jobs? By virtue of its location just south of Route One, this remarkable system is vulnerable to change, and the Land Trust is devoting priority attention to its conservation. Together with landowners, partner organizations, and the town of South Thomaston, we are working to secure a buffer around the |
Ralph Waldo Tyler Wildlife Management Area in the Weskeag Marsh, as well as to conserve the working farmland and undeveloped shoreline along the St. George River. Our vision is backed by more than a dozen partners—such as U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and Midcoast Audubon—who are committed to the conservation and stewardship of this place. Perhaps most importantly, our vision is supported by many of the landowners who live in this area and care deeply about its future. Conserving the special places in this watershed will take many of us working together. With the support, commitment, and leadership of members and friends like you, we cannot help but succeed. If you are interested in learning more about this timely initiative, please contact Annette Naegel at GRLT at 207–594–5166. • |
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Gordon Bok and Carol Rohl in ConcertImagine an early summer's stroll in Rockland, stopping in at The Strand to enjoy the music of Gordon Bok and Carol Rohl, and then dropping by Eric Hopkins Gallery for a colorful reception! Local artists have helped bring our land and seascapes to life and GRLT is honored to have Gordon, Carol, and Eric join us as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary. Save the date—Sunday, June 10, beginning at 7:00 pm. Check this Web site for more details or email info@grlt.org. • |
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From the Executive Director
On January 24, from skies above the watershed, I greeted the watery thread of our icy St. George and gained a new perspective. A broad view of balance. As we mark our 20th Anniversary, I take to heart our connectedness, as seen from above. As Eric Hopkins stated shortly after our flight, "It's very important for us to trust the land and to make sure that the land can trust us." So, I put forth our challenge: can we live, work, and play in ways that ensure that the land can trust us? From "on high" that brilliant winter's day, the wisdom of the Earth was laced together—river, roads, fields, forests, lakes, ponds, communities. Watching the light of the land shine back up, I was taken by the shadows. As the wind whipped through the plane, we weaved over four fellows ice fishing on Quantabacook Lake and dipped past Robbins Lumber Company. We shared quiet moments as the plane banked over expansive wetlands and meandering streams. Certainly, the land can trust us, I thought. As our flight continued south, the river opened to its estuary, embraced by the St. George and Cushing peninsulas. The sweeping hayfields along Route 131 reached up from the river's edge. The clam flats stood frozen in winter's grip. Looking out over the open expanse of land, water, sea, and sky, I saw a shadow of what could be. In mid–February, a six–lot subdivision planned for the open hayfields on the St. George River came before the South Thomaston Planning Hoard. While the town's Subdivision Regulations Purposes state, "The proposed subdivision will not have an undue adverse effect on the scenic or natural beauty of the area, aesthetics, historic sites or rare and irreplaceable natural areas or any public rights for physical or visual access to the shoreline," the Subdivision Ordinance does not prevent the subdivision from going forward. Six imminent shadows on the land. Can the land trust us? Circling back to a vision for balance, I put forth a call to action: local citizens who care about a balanced future must participate in local government. With meaningful Comprehensive Plans and Ordinances that respect the land and water, and active participation by many, our communities can and will give the land the confidence that it can trust us. We need open space and we need housing. The balancing act is real. As we embark on our next 20 years, the Land Trust will continue working with towns, landowners, and partners to protect our most precious resources here in our corner of Planet Earth. Won't you step forward with courage as a citizen of this magical watershed? It is up to all of us to honor the land and to build its trust in us. Rachel Nixon GRLT Office Space ExpandedWith expanding responsibilities, an expanding staff, and expansive plans ahead, the Land Trust has expanded into new (and bigger!) office space at 8 North Main Street in Rockland (as of April 2, 2007). Come visit us, just around the corner from the Brown Bag and Dunkin' Donuts, and upstairs over The Free Press! • |
Board Welcomes NewmanThis winter, Vivian Newman joins the GRLT Board with a wealth of experience in public land policy. Vivian launched her activism career in 1979 in New Orleans in response to the destruction of coastal wetlands. In 1984, she moved to Maryland working on issues relevant to the Clean Water Act. Vivian and her husband Bill moved to Maine in 2000, and Vivian continued her D.C. associations as a member of the National Marine Wildlife and Habitat Stewardship Gets a BoostWe are delighted to announce the recent hire of Jay Astle, GRLT's first Stewardship Program Manager. Working together with landowners, volunteers, and partner organizations, Jay will oversee GRLT's 21 easements and 11 preserves, as well as the 37 miles of the Georges Highland Path. Having grown up in Yarmouth, Maine, Jay is delighted to move to the midcoast after an |
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A Sustaining Way of LifeIn the early 1800s, off the Moody Mountain Road in Lincolnville, a farm sprang up from the land. Today, enhanced by spectacular views of Moody Mountain to the north and Bald and Ragged Mountains to the south, this classic Maine farm includes 128 acres of mature woodland, emergent wetlands, streams, and prime agricultural fields. Midcoast residents Scott Dickerson and Janet Redfield recently fell in love with the farm and, acting as conservation buyers, they purchased the entire property and donated an easement on 120 acres to GRLT. The easement includes areas for agriculture and forestry, as well "We never imagined that we would have the chance to conserve such a wonderful farm," said Scott recently. "For years our life was based around raising our own food on our former small farmstead on Cape Rosier. Now we will return to that sustaining way of life." The land itself evokes stories of its use and values. A mature upland forest provides undisturbed habitat for a range of species. Stonewalls weave through the forest, once acting as boundaries for grazing animals. A small pond at the edge of the field once provided irrigation. Rolling fields comprising the best farmland soils capture the full day's sun. Located just outside the watershed of the St. George River, this easement will be held by GRLT as a professional courtesy to Coastal Mountains Land Trust where Scott Dickerson is currently the Executive Director. We are honored to participate in the permanent conservation of this farm and are inspired by this gift that will benefit future generations living in the western Penobscot Bay region. • Membership: The Benefits of GivingThe Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that researchers have shown that donating to charity activates the same brain responses that evoke the pleasurable sensations associated with sex, drugs, and food. What better motivation for responding favorably to GRLT's membership request?! Of course, you can always renew your membership (or join us) online through the Join/Contribute page. Here's to feeling good in 2007! |
Gift of a Lifetime; It Feels Good
William James said, "The purpose of life is to spend it for something that outlives you." By naming GRLT in their will—the gift of a lifetime—Jane and John Rasmussen are doing just that. The Rasmussen took a non-traditional route to falling in love with the Georges River watershed. It was on a sub-zero February day in 1990 that they found their perfect home—a non-winterized one at that—in Tenants Harbor! It could only get better from there. While John continued his work as an engineer (with the occasional commute to Alaska), Jane found her way to the Land Trust as a volunteer for the Garden Tour in 1992 and she has been volunteering ever since on various committees as well as the Board of Directors. "We've really liked seeing how money raised through the Garden Tour was used for conservation in the watershed," remarks Jane. Recently, when revising their will, the Rasmussens decided to include Georges River Land Trust in their plans. John adds, "It's something that lives on after we're not here. And it feels good now to do this." It feels good to us, too, for today and for the future. • Put Your IRA to WorkThere is a (relatively) painless way to take that pesky required minimum distribution from your IRA: make a gift to charity. If you are aged 70½ or older, you can make a distribution up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to charity. But as the saying goes, good things don't last—this special provision goes away at the end of 2007. If you'd like more information, please contact Nancy Light by telephone at 207-594-5166 or by email. • |
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Wish List |
| Courier Gazette subscription ($98) | Conference room table |
| Office chairs | Area rugs |
| Bookcases | Desk lamps |
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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, Currents is the publication of the Georges River Land Trust |
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Georges River Land Trust - 8 North Main Street, Suite 200 - Rockland, ME 04841-3154 [Home] [Join/Contribute] [Volunteer] [Calendar] [News] [Land Protection] [Trails] 20070416 |
Committee of the Sierra Club. In 2003, Vivian was honored with the John Muir Award, the Sierra Club's most prestigious award. Having spent many years associated with public land policy, she appreciates that local stewardship of private lands is at the forefront of the Land Trust's work. "I am eager to learn more about local land conservation and am impressed with the sense of purpose and accomplishments of GRLT," states Vivian. •
educational and professional stay in Massachusetts. This past December, he completed coursework toward a Master's in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University. Jay's work at the Northeast Wilderness Trust and The Trustees of Reservations set the stage for outstanding contributions to stewardship here in the watershed. Jay shares, "I'm very excited to be coming back to Maine and am eager to meet all the people who make
GRLT such a special organization." •
as a natural area that allows the ecological features and natural processes to thrive undisturbed. The Dickersons will build a passive solar home on the northern third of the property, and they seek a farmer to buy the 84 acres that includes most of the fields.
