Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 1
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On Monday, May 5, the Town of
Boothbay held its Annual Town Meet-
ing. Article 4 on the ballot was, “To
see if the Town will vote to authorize
the Board of Selectmen to convey as a
gift to Boothbay Region Land Trust
(BRLT) the approximately 19.8 acre
tax-acquired parcel of land” known as
the Cross River Property. More than
75 percent of voters approved the
article, and on May 28 the Boothbay
Selectmen signed the deed to the
Cross River Property over to BRLT.
This journey began eight months
ago when the town of Boothbay
sought Request For Proposals for the
Cross River Property located off
Route 27. In 2002, the residents of
Boothbay voted for the town to retain
ownership of the property for public
use. The Cross River Property was
then leased to the Boothbay Civic As-
sociation (BCA) in October 2002, with
the agreement that the Association
would provide walking and hiking
trails, as well as facilities for picnicking
and boating. The BCA also proposed
to construct a community arts center.
However, despite the best of inten-
tions, these activities were never
completed.
When the RFP was circulated,
BRLT saw it as a prime opportunity
for that original vision of the Cross
River Property to become realized,
and submitted the proposal summa-
rized below:
“BRLT is committed to establish-
ing parking facilities, developing hik-
ing trails for public access, fostering
working waterfront access for clam
and worm diggers and providing
public access to the shore for recrea-
Newsletter Issue 99 Summer 2014
tional use. BRLT may consider con-
structing a nature center with BRLT
office space and educational facilities
contingent upon site planning and
funding.
“BRLT pledges to the develop-
ment of trails and trailhead within
one year. The conception and plan-
ning process for improving water-
front access and site development,
including a nature center to serve as a
“gateway” to Boothbay Region pub-
lic lands, will begin within two years.
(Continued on page 4)
Please patronize our 2014 Conservation Partners:
WE HAVE A NEW PRESERVE!
By Nick Ullo, Executive Director
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: [email protected] • Website: bbrlt.org
Boothbay Region Land Trust is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization
rent for future accreditation audits and for
BRLT’s internal use. This function will be
assumed by the Governance Committee.
The second significant organizational
change is the consolidation of all fundraising
and membership activities in the Develop-
ment Committee, chaired by Jean Hawley.
Skye Wood has moved into the fulltime posi-
tion of Development and Outreach Manager.
She will be handling outreach programs that
assure BRLT’s visibility in the community
through newspaper articles, our newsletters,
and social media. Development tasks to be
managed by Skye are the coordination of
BRLT’s fundraising campaigns, including the
annual appeal, planned giving, as well as our
major donor relations program and support
of the ongoing capital Stewardship Cam-
(Continued on page 3)
PRESIDENT JIM DUN: A RESTRUCTURING
Board of Directors James Dun
President
Jack Fulmer Vice President
Merry Knowlton
Secretary
Hamilton Meserve Treasurer
Nancy Adams Danielle Betts Linda Burley Bill Cullina
Pauline Dion Joe Gelarden
Meagan Hamblett Jean Hawley
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 and
Outreach Manager
Tracey Hall Environmental Educator
Michael Warren Lands Manager
Diane G. Gilman
Administrative Assistant
Newsletter Nancy Hall, Editor
Nick Ullo, Skye Wood
Photos Tracey Hall, Nick Ullo,
Skye Wood
REPORT TO MEMBERS BRLT FINANCES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013
A s any organization
grows and matures,
modifications to its struc-
ture are required to enable it
to meet changing needs.
This has become evident at
our land trust, and two areas have been re-
structured to better handle current objectives,
needs and mission. They are our Governance
and Development functions.
In May, BRLT submitted its application
for accreditation by the Land Trust Accredita-
tion Commission. This Herculean task, led by
Jean Hawley, Ham Meserve and Nick Ullo,
required much research and documentation of
policies, procedures, and land management
plans, among other requirements. This project
highlighted the need for an ongoing compli-
ance program to keep the required data cur-
Page 3 Boothbay Region Land Trust
C elebrate the start of fall with a
hike and cookout featuring sea-
sonal foods and spectacular views!
On September 27th, BRLT will host
The Great Hike at Ovens Mouth
Preserve from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
in celebration of the Great Maine
Outdoor Weekend. Enjoy the first
peeks at color along the salt marsh
and tidal waters of Ovens Mouth
Preserve while searching for clues for
exciting prizes in a fun-for-all ages
scavenger hunt!
Once the exploration of the 146-
acre preserve is complete, hikers will
make their way back to the Erhard
Farm, which abuts Ovens Mouth
Preserve. Our good neighbors, Ker-
rin and Lincoln Erhard, have gener-
ously opened their farm for the after-
hike BBQ, music and games. Music
will be provided by The Space-
heaters, who offer a funky, melodi-
ous sound all can enjoy. Games will
include a letterbox challenge in which
participants collect stamps in a pass-
port book related to the natural and
GO TAKE A HIKE! THEN ENJOY BBQ human features of the preserve, good
old-fashioned apple bobbing, relay
races, and an osprey toss!
The casual hike, fun games with
prizes, and excellent food will suit
people of all ages and fitness levels.
Tickets are now available
through the land trust office for
$15/individual, $25/couple and
$30/family. All money raised
will directly support BRLT's
mission of land conservation
and public access. For more
information, or to purchase
tickets, contact BRLT at (207)
633-4818 or [email protected]. Erhard Farm, site of the after-hike BBQ
paign. She will also continue to coor-
dinate special events that expand out-
reach and raise funds to support
BRLT operations.
I believe these two realignments
both strengthen our organization and
add a large measure of professional-
ism to both our governance and de-
velopment functions. Many thanks to
those who have taken on these chal-
lenges.
Jim Dun (Continued from page 2)
SUMMER CAMP PARTNERSHIP TAKES OFF
By Tracey “Turtle” Hall
B y the time this newsletter arrives
in your mailbox, the first week
of Boothbay Region YMCA
(BRYMCA) Camp Knickerbocker
will be underway. That doesn’t mean
it’s too late to sign up your child or
grandchild for a week at camp this
summer. Summer camp will be wel-
coming children ages 5 through 12
until the end of August. Those who
enroll participate in traditional camp
activities such as boating, swimming,
sports, and arts and crafts, all of
which connect to nature. And an
expanded partnership between
BRYMCA and Boothbay Region
Land Trust means a new environ-
mentally focused curriculum as well.
Through a job share with the
BRYMCA, I have been tasked with
designing and implementing a sum-
mer program that utilizes the camp’s 2013 Wilderness Adventure Campers take a hiking break at Penny Lake Preserve.
70 acres of woodland and Knicker-
bocker Lake. Weekly themes such as
“Out to Sea” and “A Bug’s Life” will
provide a variety of hands-on experi-
ences for campers who stay on-site,
while Half Day and Adventure Camps
allow older children to experience the
great outdoors in the Boothbay Re-
gion and beyond. To see the many
options available this summer at
BRYMCA Camp Knickerbocker, visit
boothbayregionymca.org or stop in
the BRYMCA or BRLT office. Hope
to see your little ones out at camp this
summer!
Did You Know…?
In 2013 there was an 18% in-
crease in the number of volun-
teers and a 30% increase in the
hours donated to BRLT. This com-
putes to an estimated economic
value of more than $80,000!
Thanks to all our volunteers.
Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 4
Any construction will commence as
funds become available.”
Now the work must begin. We
are actively collecting information,
including plant and animal invento-
ries and maps, in order to develop a
management plan for the property.
This plan will help guide the process
of developing trails, improving wa-
ter access and other future land
uses.
We are always interested in en-
gaging the community and our
members. If you would like to get
more involved in this project or any
activity at BRLT, or if you have any
questions or comments, please don’t
hesitate to call us at (207) 633-4818
or stop by our office.
Cross River (Continued from page 1)
Nonprofit Org. US Postage Paid
Permit #3 Boothbay Harbor, ME
04538
The Boothbay Region Land Trust seeks to conserve for the public benefit the natural habitat, scenic beauty and working land of the Boothbay Region.
Our Wayfarers are ready for another season on the trails! Pictured left to right: Michael Warren
(BRLT Lands Manager), Marianne Reynolds, Hal Moorefield, Allen Johnson, Barbie Eldred, Ron
Ross, Sally Smith, Jody Lunt, Fleet Davies, Frank Johnson, Leanne Pander, Diane Gilman (BRLT
Administrative Assistant) and Maren Fischer kicked the season off by exploring land trust preserves
and furthering their knowledge of the conserved land of the Boothbay Region. BRLT Wayfarers vol-
unteer their time throughout the summer to enhance hikers’ experience by sharing information about
BRLT, its properties and the natural features each one has to offer. Be sure to look for one of these
friendly faces during your next hike!
YOU’RE LOOKING SHARP, WAYFARERS!
Nick Ullo, Jean Hawley (Queen of
Accreditation) and Ham Meserve
pose with the final accreditation
binders. BRLT’s full application for
accreditation was submitted in April.
We are now awaiting a much antici-
pated phone conference with the
Accreditation Commission Review
Team in July. A final decision from
the Commission is expected near
the end of the year.
ACCREDITATION UPDATE