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Work Crews Create New Path to Hogback Mountain 2005
Annual Meeting Celebrates Volunteers & Local Foods 2005
Land Trust Welcomes New Board Member & Honors Two Board Veterans 2005
River Meets Ocean: The Lower Watershed Summer 2004
Out and About in the Watershed: The Upper Region Winter 2004
Wallis Foundation Provides Substantial Gift to the Land Trust Winter 2004
A Handy Guide for Shorefront Residents Winter 2004
Rachel A. Nixon named Executive Director Fall 2003
Work Crews Create New Path to Hogback Mountain
As autumn advances upon us, our precious daylight hours gradually shorten toward their lowest ebb at the winter solstice. The gradual decrease in daylight is matched by the gradual increase in the length and reach of the Georges Highland Path. Now in its eighth year of creation, the Path provides the hiking public with more than 35 miles of low-impact trails to enjoy year-round.
Last September, the Frye Mountain Loop Trail in Montville was opened to the public, and in late October five miles of new trail will be open in this area. The new section traverses state land within the Frye Mountain Game Management Area and privately-owned land on Hogback Mountain, a fine example of the cooperative generosity of state agencies and private citizens to make the Georges Highland Path possible. There are now 38 cooperating landowners participating in the Conservation Trails Program throughout the watershed.
Once the exploration and flagging of the new route in Montville was completed in the spring of 2004, trails staff and volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work. In July, the youthful vigor and strong backs offered by the Leadership Program at the Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center resulted in the construction of a cedar-log bog bridge in a low-lying area near Rte. 220. In August, the Portland-based Maine Outdoor Adventure Club joined Dave Getchell in a day of trail-clearing on Hogback Mountain. These community work days boosted progress significantly and were a whole lot of fun.
The new trail takes a wandering and scenic course as it branches off the Frye Mountain Loop Trail near the “Southwest Outlook” and makes its way to a prominent viewpoint near the summit of Hogback Mountain. Within the Game Management Area, the path passes through stretches of lovely hemlock and pine forests, follows beautiful Bartlett Stream and offers opportunities to marvel at the efforts of past generations of farmers who moved huge amounts of rock in order to make a life upon that land. The path enters privately-owned land after crossing Route 220, and passes through stretches of coniferous, hardwood and mixed forest as it winds its way toward the outlook on Hogback Ridge. Hikers will observe current timber harvesting operations conducted by these landowners, who are actively using their lands and sharing them with the public.
Highlights of the path on Hogback Mountain include several beautiful and expansive viewpoints, offering sweeping panoramas in a variety of directions. On clear days, hikers will want to have binoculars handy to identify a number of prominent distant mountains, including peaks in the Bigelow range. In a lovely quiet spot, guarded by a huge old oak, the trail passes near a tiny family cemetery dating back to the 1800’s. Hikers interested in local geology should find ample opportunity to enjoy the glacially-sculpted spine of the Hogback ridgeline. The path extends as far as a prominent outlook near the actual summit of Hogback Mountain, and hikers will enjoy perhaps the most comprehensive view of the Georges River watershed possible from this spot. It is beautiful, and the rewards definitely repay the efforts to reach it! We expect that the new trail will be fully cleared, blazed, and open for hiking by late October. If one of our crisp fall days presents you with an opportunity to get out and hike, the new portion of the Georges Highland Path should be high among the list of your possibilities! It won’t disappoint!
Annual Meeting Celebrates Volunteers & Local Foods
Thanks to the generosity of Richard Lee and Cheryl Short-Lee, the extraordinary St. George River in Warren was the setting for the Land Trust’s Annual Meeting on August 18. On this beautiful summer afternoon, 85 members and guests gathered for boating, swimming, socializing, supper and brief but important business. All in all, it was a celebratory event filled with laughter, appreciation and local food—topped off with flocks of geese flying overhead and a brilliant orange sun setting to the west!
The gathering honored the 125 volunteers who give their time, energy and skills to the Land Trust. In lighthearted but heartfelt ceremonies, committee chairs and staff presented volunteers with appropriate and creative commemorations such as pen holders made from “watershed rock”, mega-trail-cookies baked from slices of cedar trees and pebble chips, the Honorary Higher Degree of Volunteer Land Conservation Education and a “development hero” medal.
The event highlighted foods of the watershed, including a spectacular spread of scrumptious treats all donated by local farms and providers or made with watershed goods, including beef, eggs, fish, cheese, veggies, melons, breads, fruit, cobblers, cookies, and homemade blueberry ice cream. It was an exceptional feast and an inspirational reminder to support the local farming economy in the Georges River watershed.
Land Trust Welcomes New Director & Honors Two Board Veterans
From left, Mary Alice Bird, Phil McKean, and Deb Chapman
The Georges River Land Trust honored two valued retiring Board officers and welcomed a new Board member at the August meeting. Mary Alice Bird of Spruce Head was celebrated for her seven-year membership on the Board, Deb Chapman of St. George was recognized for her tremendous leadership as President of the Board over the last three years, and Dr. Phillip McKean of Cushing was elected to begin a three-year term on the Board this fall.
Mary Alice Bird joined the Board of Directors in 1997. Congenial, hardworking and exceptionally well-versed in fundraising matters, Mary Alice was chair of the Development Committee from 1998-2000 and Secretary of the Board from 2000-2004. Mary Alice, who will continue on the Development Committee, reflected on her experience on the Board, "I have truly enjoyed working with people who care so deeply and are willing to work hard for the challenges of land protection. It has been a pleasure to see the Land Trust grow, and I look forward to my continued participation." Thank you, Mary Alice!
Deb Chapman was nominated President of the Board in 2001 and has led the Land Trust through a period of exceptional achievement, including staff growth, long-range planning, increased land protection and further development of the Georges Highland Path. Richard Lee of Warren, who served as Vice President with Deb, described her as "extremely resilient in critical times and an extraordinary decision maker. Her insights into politics, business and governance issues have been important in strengthening the professional capacity of the organization." The Land Trust will continue to benefit from Deb's expertise as she continues to serve as a Board member in 2004-2005. Thank you, Deb!
Phil McKean comes to the Land Trust with a strong record in public service, fundraising and education. A resident of Cushing, Phil has been an avid hiker, fisherman, biker and skier since his youth in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. Following graduation from Williams College and Yale Divinity School, he served congregations in Providence, RI and Scotland. Phil was a chaplain at Brown University, where he also received his doctorate in cultural anthropology. Upon accepting his new role on the Board of Directors, Phil said, "The landscape and riverscape of midcoast Maine is marked by the beautiful St. George River with its tributaries, meadowlands, forests and estuaries. I have been fortunate to enjoy it for decades with my family as we hiked, bicycled, sailed, and fished throughout the area. When I found out about the mission of the Georges River Land Trust, I was glad to become a member and donor, and to cheer on the good work of pioneers who saw the importance of protecting the river and offering education about its natural resources. Now I am honored to have a chance to 'give back' to this environment—which has given me a 'sense of place' and many times of beauty and joy." Welcome, Phil! We are very grateful for the contributions of all of our Board members. New officers for the 2004-2005 year will be Mandy Funkhouser, President; David Farmer, Co-Vice President; and Pat Ashton, Secretary. David Duggan will continue as Treasurer and Richard Lee as Co-Vice President.
River Meets Ocean: The Lower Watershed
As it finally merges
with the Atlantic Ocean at Port Clyde, the 51-mile St. George River has transformed itself from a mountain-nourished headwater to a salt-water estuary, wide and pulsing with the tide. In this issue of of our News we journey through the coastal and estuarine region of the watershed. In the final newsletter of 2004, we will journey along the middle river. We hope you enjoy the tour! (Photo by Sid Quarrier)
Riding the Tide
As the tide turns in Port Clyde, the St. George River carries us up the broad river between the towns of St. George and Cushing. Residences dot the gently sloped shores and migratory birds grace the sky. The extensive flats on the main part of the river and in the coves are prime sources of clams and worms. In South Thomaston, wide fields and farms cover the east side of the river. Continuing north in Thomaston, a town first settled in the 17th century, the river swirls under the Wadsworth Street bridge and begins to narrow. After some steep bluffs, the St. George flows under the busy Route One bridge and meets the Oyster River. From this point until the head of tide in Warren Village, the river is intensely private. There is scarcely a house to be seen, only salt-water marsh grass lining the banks, backed by white pine, hemlock and hardwood stands. The river crosses under a final bridge in Warren and takes on a different character, that of the middle region (watch for the fall newsletter!).
A side trip in the lower region takes us from Port Clyde to Rockland, passing Mosquito Head, Roaring Spout, the Mussel Ridge Islands and Owls Head Light. This coastal region is dotted with precious island gems and diverse seabirds and their nesting sites.
Ecology Meets Industry
The lower region of the St. George is the most human-populated section and also contains some of the richest concentrations of wildlife. Eagles nest in substantial numbers and the migratory bird life is rich. The lower watershed is home to some small but rare species including Tiny Lovegrass, Mudwort, Spongy Arrowhead, Horned Pondweed, Purple Clematis and the Tidewater Mucket. The richness of the ecology provides both natural abundance and the opportunity for commerce and industry. In addition to the fishing fleets working out of Port Clyde, Spruce Head and Tenants Harbor, diverse commercial and industrial uses are found throughout the lower watershed. Large portions of mud flats in Thomaston, South Thomaston, St. George and Cushing have recently been reopened after years of moratorium and are now providing good crops of worms and clams. The alewife run is the largest in the state (you can see weirs from the Warren Village bridge). A thriving tourist economy operates out of Port Clyde where thousands of visitors leave on the ferry for Monhegan Island each year.
One of the great ecological treasures of this area is the Oyster River Bog in Rockland, an extraordinary natural wonder similar to the Appleton Bog in the upper watershed. Animal trails meander through a peat base that seems to be floating on water, and great natural diversity abounds, untouched by invasive plants. The bog and the surrounding woods were transformed in 1949 when over 800 acres burned, creating a new mix of forest stands. Two years ago the Land Trust, in partnership with the Oyster River Bog Association, created a 7.2-mile extension of the Georges Highland Path through this area.
Another unique landscape feature of the lower region is the Weskeag Marsh in South Thomaston, an ever-popular bird sanctuary recognized by The Nature Conservancy, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife. With 618 acres protected through the Waldo Tyler Preserve, there is still more land to conserve in the marsh to ensure a healthy future for wading shorebirds and other unique species.
Keeping Pace with Development
The lower region of the Georges River watershed has been inhabited for centuries and is rich in historical and archaeological sites, such as Fort St. George. This area continues to feel strong pressure from development, especially on the waterfront. Cushing, for example, is the fastest growing town in Knox County.
People have coexisted surprisingly well for many years with the region's natural habitats, and the Georges River Land Trust strives to protect the important places as our population grows.
Out and About in the Watershed: The Upper Region
Fifty-one miles long,
the St. George River - and its watershed - changes character distinctly and sometimes dramatically as it winds from Montville in the north to Port Clyde in the south. In 2004 we will highlight each of the three regions of the watershed in our three newsletters. We begin the journey at the headwaters in the upper region, in the summer newsletter we will dip our toes in the ocean in Port Clyde and head up to Warren Village, and then next fall we will gather in the middle. We hope you enjoy this meandering tour of the beautiful watershed we all love to protect. (For a closer look, click the map.)
A Look at the Land
The upper watershed, stretching from Frye Mountain on the north to Appleton Village on the south, is characterized by mountains, hills, streams and lakes that feed the St. George River at its headwaters. To the west, Lake St. George drains into Stevens Pond and then into the St. George River. Below Hogback Mountain, three streams feed into Kingdom Bog and Trues Pond, then into the river. Bartlett Stream and Thompson Brook drain off Frye Mountain into Ruffingham Meadow and Quantabacook Lake, and then into the St. George.
This area, rich with flowing water, mountaintops and farmland, encompasses portions of Montville, Liberty, Appleton, Searsmont, Belmont and Morrill. Route 3 cuts west to east through this region, and generally speaking, the land is less developed, more rural and has fewer population centers than the other sections of the watershed.
Conservation Efforts
The disparate range of freshwater sources provides the upper watershed with extraordinary conservation values. Kingdom Bog, Trues Pond, Stevens Pond and Little Pond are significant wading bird habitats. Rare species found along streams and in the river include the least bittern, New England bluet, yellow lampmussel and brook floater. Within the Appleton Bog, the Atlantic white cedar swamp, red maple swamp and unpatterned fen are unique wetland communities.
The upper watershed contains major areas already protected by the Land Trust and other conservation partners, as well as key areas still to conserve. GRLT activities in Searsmont have included the completion of an easement on a 62-acre apple orchard in 1998 and the donation of a beautiful stretch of woodland on the river - the Gibson Preserve - in 1999. Comprehensive planning efforts in Searsmont have identified additional resource values: Witcher Swamp, Bartlett Stream, Thompson Brook, Kingdom Bog and Ruffingham Meadow. In addition, the State of Maine protects 5,240 acres in the Frye Mountain Wildlife Management Area in the far north, and The Nature Conservancy protects over 1,000 acres in the Appleton Bog.
The Land Trust is currently working on approximately 500 acres of easement and fee title protection projects in the upper watershed, including farmland, hillside and lakefront properties.
Out and About
As one might imagine, the mountains, lakes, rivers and ponds of this northern region provide a spectacular playground for outdoor recreation. The five-mile Frye Mountain Loop Trail includes spectacular old-growth trees, stone fences marking long-gone farms, fine vistas and the chance to see a variety of wildlife species. In addition, the Gibson Preserve in Searsmont provides a splendid opportunity for the hiker or cross-country skier to follow well-marked trails through serene woods along the river.
The upper watershed is well known among canoe and kayak enthusiasts, as well as cyclists. The wilderness loop between Liberty and Searsmont is a quiet and stunning portion of the river to paddle, and the infamous St. George River Race is a favorite among boaters from near and far. The Georges River Bikeways criss-cross this northern region taking cyclists past farms, streams and the St. George River.
Every third year, the Land Trust's Garden Tour makes its way to the upper watershed, an event that is characterized as much by sweeping farms and spectacular mountain views, as by gardens.
The Tour Continues
In the summer newsletter, we will launch a boat in Port Clyde and paddle our way up to Warren Village learning about the unique characteristics in the lower watershed. If you have ideas to share about the lower or middle regions for our upcoming stories, please send them to grlt@grlt.org.
Wallis Foundation Provides Substantial Gift to the Land Trust
The Land Trust's Conservation Trails Program received a tremendous boost at the start of the new year with the receipt of a $50,000 grant from the Wallis Foundation. The Los Angeles-based organization has been a major supporter of the trails project from its start in 1997, thanks in large part to the continued interest of one of its directors, Jack Baker of Portland, ME, and Carpentria, CA.
With $375,000 from Wallis and gifts from other generous foundations and supporters over the last eight years, the trails staff has built over 30 miles of hiking trails in three major sections in the watershed — the Thomaston Town Forest-Oyster River Bog Section, the Ragged-Bald Mountain Section and the Frye Mountain Loop Trail Section. The low-impact hiking trails in all three areas are part of the Georges Highland Path, which will eventually extend through much of the high country of the Georges River watershed.
This year, the Wallis grant will continue funding the trail operation in its push south from the Frye Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Montville, at the head of the Georges River watershed.
In other action related to the Trails Program, Brendan Curran has replaced Dave Getchell, Sr., as Trails Manager. Getchell, who has worked with the Conservation Trails Program from its beginning, will continue his involvement as Trails Advisor.
A Handy Guide for Shorefront Residents
The Land Trust has published a new booklet - available to residents, visitors, town officials, code enforcement officers, planning board members, conservation commissions and others - about ways to live compatibly along the St. George River, its lakes and tributaries. The booklet is free and offers specific guidelines for landscaping your property, building roads and houses, using vegetative buffers, tree cutting and other land use activities common along our shorefronts. It is intended as a tool to inform and educate us about the common heritage we share along the St. George River and the benefits we all reap in protecting it. If you are interested in receiving a copy, please contact the Georges River Land Trust at 594-5166.
January 30, 2004: Rachel A. Nixon named Executive Director
The Board of Directors has named Rachel A. Nixon the new full-time Executive Director of the Georges River Land Trust. The next edition of our newsletter, Currents, will feature a full interview with Rachel, but we wanted to give members a brief snapshot of her and the experience she brings to the GRLT.
Rachel comes to us with extensive experience in conservation and stewardship through her work at the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA), where, as Trails Manager, she was charged with management of 130 islands and coastal properties from Portland to Machias. Her responsibilities included directing the development of a 10-year management plan for future stewardship of the 46 state-owned islands on the Maine Island Trail. This project involved directing a collaborative planning process, involving property owners, coastal land trusts, island user groups and the Maine Department of Conservation. She also directed a similar large-scale effort along the entire coast by creating and facilitating a network of 500 coastal stakeholders to address on-going island management issues. This past summer, Rachel captained a 20-day, 550-mile stewardship expedition, with a crew of 12, to monitor environmental conditions at 98 trail sites along the Maine Island Trail. In addition to this extraordinary background in hands-on stewardship and leadership, Rachel's work at MITA has involved fund-raising, grant-writing, staff supervision, financial management and administration.
Rachel was born and raised in Maine, growing up in Harpswell. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Art History, she obtained a Masters in Elementary Education from Lesley College and taught third grade in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Rachel chose to return to Maine five years ago following two years at the Earthwatch Institute, began working at MITA, and also took courses towards a B.F.A. in painting at Maine College of Art.
Georges River Land Trust - 8 North Main Street, Suite 200 - Rockland, ME 04841-3154
(207) 594-5166 Email: info@grlt.org
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