Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 1

WE

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S!

F or those of you who regularly

read our newsletter, you are well

aware that our Accreditation applica-

tion to the Land Trust Accreditation

Commission, an independent program

of the Land Trust Alliance, was finally

submitted this past spring after many

months of hard work. In fact, BRLT

first began reporting its Accreditation

activities to its members as far back as

the spring of 2010! To say it has been

a long road is an understatement. But

the professionalism and growth that

the process has brought to our organi-

zation cannot be appreciated enough.

Newsletter Issue 100 Fall 2014

responsible “in perpetuity” for its

land and conservation easement

holdings, property must be carefully

considered before any level of con-

servation takes place. Each piece of

land, whether it be donated, pur-

chased by BRLT or protected from

development with a conservation

easement, is a legal, financial obliga-

tion to the organization. Therefore,

BRLT must be very selective about

the properties we commit to protecting.

The Accreditation process aided

the organization in bringing a level of

refinement to our vetting procedure.

BRLT has steps that it must follow

when exploring land acquisition or

when considering a conservation

easement on a privately owned par-

cel. It all begins simply enough with a

checklist of requirements and a re-

port on focus areas. These focus ar-

eas were determined after a regional,

scientific study of the Sheepscot

River Watershed and Boothbay Pen-

insula. The study identified tracts of

land that would best preserve the

character and natural resources of the

(Continued on page 3)

Please patronize our 2014 Conservation Partners:

BRLT’s Conservation Efforts: What You Should Know

One of the very important topics

the Accreditation Commission ex-

plores is a land trust’s land acquisi-

tion process. Because a land trust is

By Skye Wood, Development & Outreach Manager

Rainbow over Zak Preserve

Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 2

Boothbay Region Land Trust PO Box 183, 137 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

Tel. (207) 633-4818 • Email: brlt@bbrlt.org • Website: bbrlt.org

Boothbay Region Land Trust is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization

Board of Directors

Jack Fulmer President

Nancy Adams Vice President

Linda Burley Secretary

Hamilton Meserve Treasurer

Danielle Betts Catherine Conn

Bill Cullina Pauline Dion James Dun

Lauren Graham Jean Hawley

Maria Jenness Hal Moorefield

Ronald Ross Jonathan B. Tindal

Jeffrey V. Wells

Board of Advisors

Louise Bowditch Jennifer Cutshall Nanette Davison

Carl R. Griffin, III Michael F. Harrison

Dawn E. Kidd Charles E. Koch

Mary Miller Bruce B. Tindal

Staff

Nicholas J. Ullo Executive Director

Violet S. Wood Development &

Outreach Manager

Tracey Hall Environmental Educator

Michael Warren Lands Manager

Diane G. Gilman

Administrative Assistant

Newsletter Nancy Hall, Editor

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

L ike most of you who came to the

Boothbay Region from other states, I

was introduced to this area in the summer.

In 2002, Tracey and I were hired by The Na-

ture Conservancy as caretakers on Damaris-

cove Island. For the next seven years, we

would spend June through August working

on the island and exploring the local area on

our days off.

In 2008, I was interviewed for full-time

employment at Boothbay Region Land

Trust. I remember thinking it was strange

that one of the questions in my interview

was, “Have you ever spent an entire winter

in Maine or northern New England? Because

they are very long and cold.” My answer was,

A t the annual Mem-

bers Meeting in

October, six new Direc-

tors were elected to the

BRLT Board. These new

Directors represent the

future of the Land Trust; they bring energy,

new ideas and visions for the future. We are

excited to have them on board and engaged

in our mission.

Catherine Conn is a horticulturist and land-

scape designer. She is committed to the pres-

ervation of our native landscape and is com-

pleting her CMBG certificate in Native

Plants and Sustainable Horticulture. Cathy

will be helping us with our plans for the new

Cross River property.

Lauren Graham is a full-time teacher in the

Boothbay Region High School where she

teaches Earth Science, Chemistry, Oceanog-

raphy and Ecology. Lauren will be involved

in our educational outreach programs.

Maria Jenness is employed fulltime as the

Stewardship Manager for the Maine Island

Trail Association, coordinating their coast-

wide volunteer stewardship programs. Using

her skills and extensive experience, she will

be leading our stewardship program.

Hal Moorefield is a retired lawyer. Hal is the

new chair of our Governance Committee

and a member of the Development Committee.

Ron Ross retired as the Vice President for

Development for Drew University and is the

co-chair of our Development Committee.

With a degree in Biology, he is also a member

of our lands committee.

Jonathan Tindal is a realtor with Tindal &

Callahan Real Estate. Jonathan comes to the

organization with a balanced view of preser-

vation and development. He has agreed to

serve on the Development Committee.

PRESIDENT JACK FULMER WRITES...

“No, but I’m a winter-

sports enthusiast, so I’m

sure we’ll be fine.” After

my first few years of living

here, I decided I was right.

We occasionally make the drive to one of

the mountains to downhill ski, but more of-

ten than not, we spend our time recreating

right here in the Boothbay Region. Whether

you’re interested in cross-country skiing,

snowshoeing or ice skating, this region has

quite a bit to offer. To help people get

started, BRLT has an informative Winter Ac-

tivities Guide. This tri-fold brochure describes

(Continued on page 3)

Page 3 Boothbay Region Land Trust

area, if protected. Although these fo-

cus areas do not preclude protection

in other locations, it does assist in

guiding our conservation goals.

The checklist requires our organi-

zation to explore the purpose behind

each conserved parcel. If the property

does not meet the Project Selection

Criteria checklist, discussion of the

property goes no further. The criteria

list includes questions such as, “Does

conservation of this property support

BRLT’s mission?” or, “Does the prop-

erty contain significant wildlife habitat,

an important ecosystem habitat or

natural features?” Fulfilling these crite-

ria helps to ensure that with each con-

served property, there is ultimately a

benefit to the community we serve.

Everyone involved with BRLT is

grateful for the support the organiza-

tion has received over these past 34

years, whether it be from land dona-

tions, monetary gifts, volunteer time

or advocacy in the community. We are

always striving to improve the work

we do in the Boothbay Region for the

enjoyment of all.

Conservation (Continued from page 1)

T his Thanksgiving, as we ap-

proach the three-year Steward-

ship Campaign’s completion on De-

cember 31st, we want to thank every

one of our generous donors. The

Stewardship Campaign has been

marked by early and continuing success:

pre-campaign gift strengthens

BRLT annual finances and under-

writes campaign expenses

donors respond and public phase

reaches goal

business community embraces

campaign and supports BRLT

Over 100 donors attend June

2014 campaign event held at

Newagen Inn We extend a special and sincere

thank you to Nan Davison, chair of

the Stewardship Campaign Commit-

tee, lead campaign staff member Julie

THANKSGIVING AT BRLT

a few of the Land Trust’s more popu-

lar winter-recreating destinations.

Don’t forget that we offer detailed

trail guides for all BRLT preserves, as

well as some other “specialty” bro-

chures. These brochures include: Pre-

serves for Boaters, Preserves for Families

and Preserves for Dogs (and their owners.)

All BRLT trail guides and brochures

are available at the Land Trust office

or can be printed from our website.

We also offer stacks of these guides

to local businesses and the Chamber

of Commerce.

So don’t forget – whether you are

just with us for the summer, or enjoy

the region year-round, be sure to get

out and enjoy the preserves!

Executive Director

(Continued from page 2)

Lamy, and committee members:

Ernst Benzien, Louise Bowditch,

Pauline Dion, Ralph Drayer, Chip

Griffin, Chuck Koch, and Mary

Miller. Their leadership, dedication

and hard work have generated an

outpouring of gifts. These gifts ulti-

mately support our work to preserve

open space for public use, maintain

working waterfront and provide educa-

tion for all ages.

The over-arching goal of the

Stewardship Campaign has been to

raise endowment funds so that the

total of BRLT’s invested funds, from

all sources, would reach $5 million.

We look forward to announcing and

celebrating the successful completion of

the Stewardship Campaign in January.

It is never too late to contribute,

but, more importantly, it’s always

time, especially at Thanksgiving, to

thank everyone who contributes to

BRLT with gifts of time, talents and

financial support. We appreciate

every gift and everything that you,

our members, do to keep BRLT

strong. THANK YOU!

Appalachee Preserve in the fall.

Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 4

LOOKING BACK: BRLT’S YEAR IN REVIEW

VOLUNTEERS

MADE

IT HAPPEN

THE GREAT HIKE

OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE AWESOME!

From January 1, 2014, through September 30, 2014,

BRLT tracked 2,053 volunteer hours. Thank you all!

WAYFARERS

LOOKING BACK: BRLT’S YEAR IN REVIEW

Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 5

THE GREAT HIKE

THE SHIPYARD CONCERT

ANNUAL MEETING

THE OSPREY PROGRAM/ CAMP KNICKERBOCKER

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE NEW CROSS RIVER PRESERVE

N ow that the events of the summer and early fall are

passed, those of us at BRLT are turning our primary

focus toward the improvements of the Cross River Pre-

serve. The property was

officially transferred from

the Town of Boothbay to

the Land Trust in May,

2014. As promised,

BRLT is exploring how

to make the property

appropriately accessible

to recreational and work-

ing waterfront users of

the 19-acre preserve.

This process must

first begin with an envi-

ronmental assessment.

Environmental consultant Lauren Stockwell has been walk-

ing the 19 acres to identify vernal pools, rare plant species

or any other sensitive natural resources that require circum-

vention. Once BRLT has her report, Land Steward Michael

(Above) Hanging the sign at the entrance

(Below) The marsh at Cross River

Warren can move forward with constructing the trail he

has already flagged out on the property. Hikers will soon

have a well-marked path down to the shoreline of the

Cross River and local clammers will finally have walkable

access to the river without slashing through dense brush

to complete a day’s work.

Longtime volunteer and newly elected BRLT presi-

dent Jack Fulmer recently built and erected the recogniz-

able BRLT kiosk at the trailhead. He also assisted Mi-

chael in hanging the Cross River Preserve sign at the

property entrance on Route 27. These initial develop-

ments have been made to the preserve in order to en-

hance public access as soon as possible, with parking lot

improvements to follow.

The coming winter months will be used for further

consideration and planning of future land use at Cross

River. The Land Trust will explore all opportunities this

property may offer to the organization and the commu-

nity. A management plan has already been created to en-

sure best practices of property maintenance. It also will

help to guide the future of this newest property entrusted

to BRLT by the voters of Boothbay.

YOUR GIFT KEEPS ON GIVING

R ecently a donor living with fibromyalgia shared with

us what the land trust means to her and why she

gives to BRLT: “Fibromyalgia is very painful and unpredictable. Sometimes I spend

days in bed. But I am truly blessed that I can get back up and

about, and for that I am so thankful. I truly feel that by moving

slowly I have opened my eyes to really see the beauty of the land

trust preserves. I feel the land trust has given me the gift of peaceful-

ness − little white flowers in the spring, roots to marvel at as I step

over them, fresh air and the different types of moss. This my therapy.” During this time of giving, we ask that you remember

BRLT and what it means in your life. Your gift is one

that keeps on giving, and acts as a therapy for us all. So

please join us in fulfilling our mission by making a year-

end gift this holiday season.

Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 6

MEMORIAL GIFTS NOVEMBER 2013-OCTOBER 2014

In Memory of Elizabeth P. Silliman Ed & Lynn Tsuzuki

In Memory of Gordon Spike Stein

Thomas Stamp

In Memory of Joan Strathern Marilyn Medler

In Memory of Reginald &

Christine Vayo Jean Hamilton

In Memory of Peggy Voight

Lu Gmoser Susan Lloyd & Tom Frields

HONORARY GIFTS

NOVEMBER 2013-OCTOBER 2014

In Honor of the Carrick Family The Lew Family

In Honor of Audrey Giles Chase

Debbie & Hal Moorefield

In Honor of Deezie Flower William P. Getty

In Honor of Sally & Allen Johnson

Andrew & Erica Dunlap In Honor of John & Marily M. Kerney

Beverly & John McCoid

In Honor of Lois & Howard Kramer Robert Kramer

In Honor of Julie Lamy

Andrew & Penny Matthews

In Honor of Pam Oleson Ursula & Wolfgang Duve

In Memory of Barbara B. Allison William Allison

In Memory of John Bagonzi

Jim & Karen Sutton

In Memory of Robert & Helen Andrews Bowditch

Caroline Andrews & David Zuk

In Memory of Stanley W. Brower Friends of Southport

In Memory of Anvilla Cunningham

Mack & Linda Cunningham

In Memory of Rev. Father Roy DeLeo Richard & Elizabeth Colten

In Memory of Faith Foster

Arthur Webster

In Memory of Dorothy Freeman & Rachel Carson Stanley Freeman

In Memory of Donald Goldstone

Lois Arnold Joseph Berman Rosanna Coffey

Patricia Donovan Richard & Martin Elwell

Luis & Penelope Page Joaquin Julia Page & Jim Knipe

Ira & Miriam Raskin Sue & John Reed

David & Mary Salkever Susan Stodolksy & David Cramer

Jeanie & Richard Teare John & Rebecca Welsh

Stephen & Faith Williams James & Diana Zurer

In Memory of Harold &

Estelle Kipp H. Winston & Christine Kipp

In Memory of Patricia A. & James

Blenn Perkins, Jr. Sandra Lynn Perkins & Jeffrey Ochsner

In Memory of Gene Pisano

Tani Barbour Tom & Judy Brancato

William Muirhead Anthony & Chris Patton

In Honor of Jane W. Page Luis & Penelope Page Joaquin

In Honor of Lizz & Peter Roos

Susan & John Fenniman

In Honor of Bruce Wood & Sara Schwartz Wendy Tyson

In Honor of Nancy & Harry Shablom

Gail Brittain

In Honor of Bill Swan Edith R. White

In Honor of Mary Ellen &

Bard Turner Robert & Ruby Houston

In Honor of the Whitman Family

Kenneth & Priscilla Burchill

In Honor of Charles & Nancy Wolfram

Sally Smith

In Honor of Mordecai Fox Woodmoore

Ron Ross & Fred Kraeuter

In Honor of Michael & Roxanne Zak Mary Anne Zak

DOGGIE DONORS

Biscuit & Elsa Martin & Laura Tatoch

Buttons Donald W. DeLeo

Hamlet Barbara Shaw

Pierre Mary & Lee Gevaudan

Moose

Doreen & Jim Dun

Sassy Paul & Wendy Greenleaf

Tank & Hannah

Jennifer Griffin

Page 7 Boothbay Region Land Trust

This 100th issue of The Osprey

Observer is dedicated to the

memory of Tomas Isimekwes

Hammond who was lost at sea

on November 1st, 2014, while

fishing aboard F/V No Limits.

Tomas spent his entire life on

the water and, in fact, lived his

first 15 years in Damariscove

Island harbor with his parents.

Tomas I. Hammond 1987 - 2014

In Memory of Tom Hammond

Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 8

The Boothbay Region Land Trust seeks to conserve for the public benefit the natural habitat, scenic beauty and working land of the Boothbay Region.

Nonprofit Org. US Postage Paid

Permit #3 Boothbay Harbor, ME

04538

HOLIDAY SHOPPING?

P urchase BRLT merchandise

from our Osprey Store to sup-

port local land conservation and

promote your favorite land trust!

Our office is open Monday through

Friday for your perusal. Can’t find

your size? We can special order to

fit your needs! We offer:

Fleece Jackets & Vests

Lunch Coolers

Youth/Adult Sweatshirts

Infant Onesies

Baseball Caps in many colors

Small/Large Canvas Tote Bags

Water Bottles