Tripp Henderson Director of Hidden Valley Nature Center
Eliza Jacobs
Water Resources Technician
Tim Libby Forestry & Lands Manager
Kelly McNally
Office Manager
Patricia Nease
Damariscotta Lake Watershed Manager
Erika Presley
Land Conservation Manager
Morganne Price
Medomak River Watershed Manager
Kate Raymond Development & Database Manager
Ali Stevenson
Communications & Engagement Manager
Zoe Thomas
Nature-Based Program Manager
Newsletter Design: Hollie Fleming
THE MISSION OF MIDCOAST CONSERVANCY IS TO PROTECT AND RESTORE VITAL LANDS AND WATERS ON A SCALE THAT MATTERS.
WE ENVISION A WORLD WHERE OUR LANDS AND WATERS ARE HEALTHY AND PROTECTED AND WHERE NATURE OCCUPIES A PLACE OF CENTRAL IMPORTANCE IN EVERY PERSON’S LIFE.
THE GRATITUDE ISSUE
GRATITUDE, AND LOVE OUR DEEEPEST THANKS FOR YOUR DEDICATION
THE LANDSCAPES THAT SHAPE US REFLECTIONS
LIVING INTO GRATITIUDE FOR THE NATURAL WORLD
IF FISH COULD SAY THANK YOU...
VOLUNTEER AWARDS
15,000 ACRES: AN ODE TO PROPERTY MONITORS!
GRATEFUL TO GATHER GIFTS FROM THE FOREST
When I was in graduate school for environmental education, I received an assignment to identify an experience in my life that might have led me to choose a career in environmental education. Everyone in the course identified an experience from when they were young– such as a summer camp, family camping trips, or the woods next to where they grew up–as that influential experience. One student, Benjamin, grew up in urban Philadelphia where the unconstrained natural world was in short supply. In his grandmother’s postage stamp-sized backyard, sandwiched between buildings, was an apple tree.
Gratitude, and Love
By Buck O'Herin, President of the Board of Directors
IN 1970, WHEN I WAS 15 YEARS OLD, MY FAMILY VISITED RELATIVES IN SOUTHWEST KANSAS. FROM THERE I WAS PUT ON A TRAIN TO ALBUQUERQUE, WHERE I MET FELLOW CAMPERS AND COUNSELORS. I WAS TERRIFIED TO BE AWAY FROM HOME, BY MYSELF, FOR SIX WEEKS. OUR GROUP TRAVELED THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWESTERN U.S. TO REMOTE AND BEAUTIFUL PLACES, CAMPING IN TENTS OR UNDER THE STARS. WE EXPLORED DESERTS AND MOUNTAINS WITH ABANDON AND LITTLE ADULT SUPERVISION. AT THE END, I DID NOT WANT TO COME HOME. I HAD BEEN INOCULATED AGAINST A LIFE OF COMPLACENCY AND SEDENTARINESS. THE RAPTURE WAS SO COMPLETE I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE IT AS LOVE.
Over many summers and falls, Benjamin, his siblings and cousins spent hours at a time sitting in the supportive branches of that solitary tree. Those experiences, Benjamin thought, had to be the reason.
A T THE END, I DID NOT WANT TO COME HOME. I HAD BEEN INOCULATED AGAINST A LIFE OF COMPLACENCY AND SEDENTARINESS. THE RAPTURE WAS SO COMPLETE I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE IT AS LOVE.
Not everyone is so privileged or fortunate to be introduced or thrown into a beautiful, unfettered landscape but it seems clear to me that the land, the natural world–even a smidgen of it–speaks to us and moves through us. Turtle Pond, Deer Creek, the Current River, Escalante, the Sheepscot Headwaters, for each of these places I have immense gratitude, and yes, love.
OUR DEEPEST THANKS FOR YOUR DEDICATION
By Erika Presley
IN THE HEART OF MIDCOAST MAINE, WHERE THE ROCKY COASTLINE, EXTENSIVE FORESTS, AND INLAND WATERS MEET, MIDCOAST CONSERVANCY HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY GROUP OF LANDOWNERS WHOSE GENEROSITY AND FORESIGHT ARE NOTHING SHORT OF INSPIRING. AS WE REFLECT ON THE PAST AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE WE WANT TO PAUSE AND EXPRESS OUR DEEP GRATITUDE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO CONSERVE THEIR LAND.
As Midcoast Conservancy’s Land Conservation Manager, my role is to help walk landowners through the process of land conservation–offering expertise, resources, and support along the way. The driving force for this work lies with landowners who are motivated by personal values, a call to protect wildlife and habitats, and/or a desire to leave behind a legacy for future generations. Meeting landowners and listening to their stories is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling parts of my job. These stories reveal a deep love for and connection to place. I feel that, in some ways, I am a keeper of these stories and of this history, which along with landowners’ narratives, are woven deeply into the land in the same way that the roots of trees are intertwined in the earth.
In this changing world, development pressure continues to increase, and the decision to conserve land requires a clear vision and a generosity of spirit. The act of conserving land is a gift that transcends generations. It is an investment in the well-being of our communities, the health of our lands and waters, and the preservation of working landscapes. Conserving land is a testament to a landowner's belief in a healthy, sustainable, and enduring future, and it makes a profound contribution to the collective good. Protected landscapes will continue to support healthy ecosystems offering sanctuary for wildlife, providing recreational spaces for communities,
and reminding us of the values we hold dear in Maine.
To all of our landowners, past and present: your gift of conservation will forever be a part of the fabric of Midcoast Maine. Your gift of conservation enriches our quality of life and gives us hope for the future. We honor your vision, generosity, and ethic of stewardship, and we extend our deepest thanks for your support.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can conserve your land please reach out to me at erika@midcoastconservancy.org.
THE SHEEPSCOT RIVER
By Chris Kenoyer
We who live in the Midcoast region are lucky to have a Class A river with a storied history, a true gem that sustains an abundance of life and offers much to appreciate. From its upper headwaters in Morrill, where thick stands of large pine and oak dominate, to its salt marsh estuaries where magnificent, prehistoric sturgeon ply its waters, the Sheepscot River supports a surprising array of ecosystems to explore along its 66-mile length.
One of the most popular sections for paddling is a six-mile whitewater stretch from Kings Mills in Whitefield to Alna’s Head Tide that has plenty of rapids to keep your adrenaline flowing. Paddle it early in the morning or close to dusk and you’ll witness an array of wildlife on the banks and increase your likelihood of catching a sight of the elusive otter or mink. The trip typically ends at the Head Tide dam, recently and thoughtfully restored to improve fish passage. There you’ll discover one of the most appreciated and well-used swimming spots in the area. There is also an
informational kiosk with photos and texts revealing the history of the area as well as the keystone fish species that now pass freely up river.
Thanks to Midcoast Conservancy and other organizations, there are now many areas of protected land along the full length of the river, with most offering easy to moderate hiking trails through mixed woodland, and some nice stretches right along the river banks, perfect for wildlife viewing. Bass Falls Preserve in Alna, one of my favorites, ends at an especially beautiful spot with a pool below the falls favored by resident eagles for hunting fish. Owing to the steep banks on both sides, this sanctuary offers something in short supply in our modern world: the sounds of silence. Stop here and listen carefully and you can often experience that eternal hum of life that can only happen when you’re beyond the din of roads and the noise of everyday human activity.
Tremendous work and resources have been committed to restoring the ecological health of the
Sheepscot River. Access to important natal spawning grounds has been dramatically increased for the Sheepscot’s nine species of sea-run fish, including endangered Atlantic salmon and commercially valuable alewives. Antiquated impoundments no longer providing energy, often called “deadbeat dams”, have been removed or modified, invasive plant species removed, stream banks have been stabilized, and a new fishway installed at Branch Pond this year that has made it possible for sea-run fish to return for the first time in nearly 200 years. Much has been accomplished, but plenty of work remains to bring the much-loved river back to its full potential. Preserving land to protect and connect the Sheepscot to the other river drainages surrounding it will ensure greater habitat and healthy ecosystems for all. Further restoration of riparian habitat will assist with climate resiliency, and there’s still much work to be done to allow fish to return to long barricaded spawning areas. Help is always deeply appreciated, so please contact Midcoast Conservancy to see how you can assist in the restoration of this important waterway.
SENSES OF GRATITUDE
By Jen and Walter Cahill
We woke to rain, after a month of looking forward to the full moon paddle. I texted Zoe Thomas, Midcoast Conservancy’s Naturebased Program Manager, secretly hoping it was canceled. She responded that she planned to keep it going. I felt my bad mood settle in while my husband remained upbeat. Rain, no visibility, long drive, cold, wet. Ugh. We headed toward Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley Nature Center and, upon arrival, ended up as the only two brave enough to show up other than our tour guides, Zoe and Bryn. We decided to go for it. Walking the rocky one-mile trail to Little Dyer Pond, our first joy was seeing a family using a cabin close by, kids excited, yelling hi to us, roasting marshmallows. We set out to paddle
LAKE LOVE
By Kathy Stevens
Iwish I could be saying thank you in person to my grandparents and great-grandparents, telling them how grateful I am for connecting our family to Damariscotta Lake about 100 years ago as my grandmother and great aunt started camp at Wavus.
The lake offers me and my family a place to birdwatch, paddle, swim, and gather together with friends. My visits every year always rejuvenate me; it is a place where I can adjust my attitude toward life and center myself. Just sitting on our deck and watching the lake is a luxury and a view that is ever changing and ever soothing.
and I was thankful for the ease with which we could get into the canoe and launch.
The lake was incredibly calm as we glided into the dusk, hearing nothing but our paddles dip into the water, seeing only a few lanterns and campfires. Approaching the end of the lake as darkness descended, we heard crickets and bugs, felt a slight mist and breeze, smelled balsam and the freshwater pond, and learned a bit of the history and ecology around us. Unable to see far, thanks to a misty cloud layer and no visible moon, we suddenly heard a huge splash, like a kid doing a cannonball. Zoe explained it was a beaver slapping his tail, warning us we were too close. Wow, how cool!! That was a first.
Watching the colors of the sunrises and sunsets could not be better bookends for blissful days and nights drifting off to the cries of the loons–the best prescription for a good night’s sleep.
Over the years, my understanding of the magic of the lake continues to grow along with my keen sense of responsibility for stewarding the treasure that we have. I love
As we headed back along the lake’s shore, whispering about the beauty surrounding us, we saw shadows of the treetops against the sky backdrop, and noticed how fast we were moving. We felt such gratitude for the use of all our senses, the beauty of nature surrounding us, access to this vast playground, thankful our tour guides kindly didn’t cancel. We felt our moods had lifted; positivity had embraced us here in the Maine woods. We cannot wait to come back for another Midcoast Conservancy adventure!
introducing friends to the lake and sharing how much I cherish the sense of peace and joy I have on its shores and on its waters. Anyone who has visited has lasting memories and always talks about when they hope to return. I am lucky to have the privilege of a place I can return to each year.
Gratitude is defined as having appreciation for what you have and for the good things in life. I sometimes find in current lingo that this word – gratitude – is overused; it is easy these days for many people to take for granted the material things they have and not recognize the opportunities that call for real and deep gratitude. It is not usual for me to use the word regularly, however, as I am beyond grateful for my connection to Damariscotta Lake.
THE MIRACULOUS MEDOMAK
By Melissa Barbour
When the returning tide meets the marsh waters of the Western Branch of the Medomak River at Geele Farm Preserve, this reunion creates a reverse waterfall effect. Watching the forces meet one another once again might remind someone of worthwhile endeavors, returning home, or finding compromise, harmony. The visual effect is stunning and the sound inspiring; like egret and otter, deer and porcupine, we live in the beauty of this watershed.
As one stills to watch and listen, the result might be an immense sense of wonder but also gratitude. It was in 1991 that a small group of watershed residents realized the importance of protecting this river. Had it not been for their willingness to act and serve, this region, especially the shorelines, would look very different today. Today, the waters of the Medomak River teem with life, but they still face
the dangers of pollution, climate change, or, more directly, us.
Like a returning tide, I moved back to Waldoboro in 2001, and I have been awed by the hues of sunrise painting the river’s surface from Meetinghouse Cove to Sampson Cove and beyond, and sunset rays that extend from behind my home to light the shores of South Waldoboro.
In 2009, or thereabouts, I began volunteering on the Medomak Valley Land Trust’s trail crew and board, thanks to a fortuitous meeting and friendship with MVLT’s then-Executive Director, Liz Petruska. Though my dates could be off, I have a vague recollection of the Geele Preserve being one of the trails that I first helped navigate, whack, and trim, with the guidance of the trail crew leaders, primarily Ed Kahora and Charlie Witherell. Even though I had lived here for most of my life,
the trail crew expanded my forest adventures to far beyond the 70 acres of woods, marsh, and brook behind my home in West Waldoboro.
With two Labrador Retrievers, I have spent much of the last ten years wandering the trails and watching them enjoy the many places to swim, fetch sticks, crab, and, yes, once one of them even fell through the ice at River Park and needed to be rescued by the fire department. That rescue was nothing short of a miracle, but it doesn’t take a miracle to join Midcoast Conservancy and help preserve our Medomak River and its watershed. There is no compromise where conservation of our shared home is concerned. The harmony of this ecosystem depends on us. How grateful are you?
Living into Gratitude for the Natural World
MAINE’S CONSERVATION MOVEMENT IS SHAPED BY AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF DEEPLY COMMITTED, HARD-WORKING PEOPLE. ONE OF THESE WHO FULLY EMBODIES, AND EFFECTIVELY COMBINES, AN UNWAVERING LOVE FOR THE NATURAL WORLD WITH A GENUINE COMMITMENT TO HUMAN WELLBEING IS OUR BOARD PRESIDENT, BUCK O’HERIN.
Buck stands out among the multitude of dedicated conservation individuals in Maine by seamlessly integrating ecological principles into his conservation efforts, prioritizing collaboration, empowering individuals to fulfill their “ecological niche”, prioritizing conservation on all scales, and recognizing that humans are a part of the natural landscape who require connection to the earth. He has adeptly spearheaded local and regional conservation initiatives including Midcoast Conservancy and one of its founding organizations (Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance), the Hills to Sea Trail, and the protection of Haystack Mountain. In addition to innumerable hours of service, Buck has committed significant personal financial resources to the conservation of vital lands in midcoast Maine. Conservation work isn’t always straightforward, but Buck leads the way with integrity, mission focus, and heart.
Buck’s body of conservation work is profoundly inspiring. He and his partner Lisa Newcomb have independently conserved hundreds of acres and their work is not done. Their conservation initiatives are driven by an expressed commitment to preserving unique
ecological important habitats. One of Buck’s early achievements was the protection of critical habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon, using his knowledge of the Sheepscot Headwaters to convince the State to inventory the upper watershed; they confirmed excellent salmon-breeding habitat and high
water quality; now, the Sheepscot is one of only eight rivers in Maine federally listed as critical salmon habitat, and salmon are found throughout the watershed and are part of the federal restoration effort. Additionally, Buck initiated the creation of a science-based conservation plan with biologist Janet McMahon which covered the entire Sheepscot watershed.
Buck was a key leader in the merger of four organizations that formed Midcoast Conservancy and has served on the board ever since, currently as Board President. Buck contributes at all levels of our work, lending a hand or leading trail work days, meeting with staff on the trail, connecting local landowners interested in conservation with staff, and leading walks that help participants see the trails through his eyes.
As one of the founders of the Hills to Sea Trail, Buck has been involved in every facet of this endeavor, from initial trail scouting and construction, to fostering relationships with landowners and securing funding through grant writing. Working with private landowners to allow the trail to cross their land required skills in relationship building and Buck was up to the task. The 47-mile path winds its way from Unity Village to the coast in Belfast, linking with schools and farms along the way. The Hills to Sea Trail has cultivated a sense of community pride in the natural beauty of the land. It has fostered a sense of place and connected residents to their landscape while providing public access to previously inaccessible land.
In 2022, when Haystack Mountain in Liberty was placed on the market, Buck worked tirelessly, along with a group of fellow residents, to engage the community and conserve the mountain. Their efforts paid off in 2023 when the group successfully acquired the property, safeguarding it from future development. Their collective efforts conserved blueberry fields, breathtaking panoramic views, and a wellloved community trail. Although Haystack Mountain may be modest in size to some, spanning 57 acres and reaching an elevation of 800 feet, its significance to the local community cannot be overstated. Through his dedication to conserving this precious natural landmark, Buck has helped to preserve a symbol of pride and heritage for the community of Liberty, ensuring that future generations will be able to seek solace and well-being when connecting to this beautiful place.
of land and served as a temporary conservation lender to ensure the conservation of high-priority parcels. Buck’s commitment to conserving land transcends his leadership role with Midcoast Conservancy. Conservation is Buck’s life work.
Buck’s passion and fervent commitment to conservation promises to propel land conservation efforts throughout Maine into the future. Through his ongoing projects, leadership, and unwavering determination to foster collaboration and nurture relationships, Buck instills an ethos of stewardship, forges connections between people and the land, and sets a compelling example for others to follow. To honor this ethos, Buck was honored with the 2024 People’s Choice Award from the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
Buck recognizes the importance of collective stewardship and has personally purchased hundreds of acres of ecologically sensitive land for conservation. In addition, he has generously donated parcels
Buck’s approach emphasizes not just immediate actions but also the long term implications that they carry, highlighting the importance of thoughtful and sustainable conservation practices. His endeavors serve as an example for communities and conservation organizations and showcase the effectiveness of community-based conservation. By prioritizing collaboration and considering human impacts on the land, Buck ensures that conservation efforts not only protect natural resources but also enhance the well-being of both ecosystems and current and future generations. His efforts offer valuable opportunities for individuals to engage with and appreciate the natural world, nurturing a new generation of land stewards inspired by Buck's passion and tireless dedication.
The world urgently needs strong, honest, and humble leaders who can reach across the political divide. Buck demonstrates that this is possible within the field of land conservation. His passion for conservation speaks to the heart and his commitment, energy, and enthusiasm bring people together.
Photo courtesy of NRCM
THE LANDSCAPES THAT SHAPE US
By Sarah Giffen Carr
MY EXPOSURE TO AND EXPERIENCES WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ARE MANY AND VARIED. MY FAMILY RELIGIOUSLY RESERVES SUNDAYS FOR HIKING. WE SEEK OUT TRAILS FROM THE CAMDEN HILLS STATE PARK TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL FOREST TO PRIVATELY OWNED AND MANAGED FOREST LANDS NORTH OF GREENVILLE. WHEN TIME IS MORE LIMITED, I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO FOR WALKS IN MORE URBAN GREENSPACES LIKE VAUGHAN WOODS IN THE TOWN OF HALLOWELL, WHERE I GREW UP.
Ihave spent countless Saturdays working on my family’s woodlot both to improve wildlife habitat and cut and haul firewood for our winter use. I've sat in tree stands and walked old logging roads hunting with my father, and with my husband. I learned to whitewater paddle on the Sheepscot River with my dad, most frequently running the section from Kings Mills to Head Tide with him each spring, then hitchhiking back to our truck. I have continued this tradition with my own children: it is a ritual that connects us back to the earth each spring after a long winter and prepares us for our more extended annual canoe trips on rivers such as the Allagash.
Collectively, all these experiences, across such varied landscapes, have enriched and shaped my life. These landscapes are so distinct from one another both in size and management objectives. But what they have in common is that they are the result of someone’s conservation ethics and values, land stewardship practices, generosity, foresight, and work. What they also have in common is that, even as they differ in many respects, they are all part of the solution to creating a healthy and thriving environment in the face of the complex challenges that lie ahead.
As we look to the future, I believe that many different types of conservation and land management practices must exist in our toolbox to create a sustainable future. We need ecological reserves. We need places that are forever wild. We need places that are actively managed for timber production with an eye towards improving wildlife habitat and carbon storage. We need places for people to recreate and connect with the natural world so that they may grow in their own stewardship ethic. Together, these different landscapes offer innumerable gifts, and we must lean on them all as we look to the future.
GIFTS FROM THE FOREST
By Abigail Boudin
SITTING DOWN TO WRITE THIS, I AM DELIGHTED BUT NOT SURPRISED TO FIND MYSELF AUTOMATICALLY SMILING AND CHUCKLING ALOUD. WHAT A GIFT THIS IS! MUCH OF THE WORK THAT WE DO AT LINCOLN COUNTY RECOVERY COMMUNITY CENTER IN NEWCASTLE IS ON THE SERIOUS SIDE. WE CONNECT WITH, AND OFFER PEER AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE IMPACTED BY SERIOUS ISSUES LIKE ADDICTION, POVERTY, ISOLATION, TRAUMA, AND SO MUCH LOSS.
But on a Saturday in September, Midcoast Conservancy offered us the use of the Sugar Ridge Yurt and Hermit Hut at their Hidden Valley Nature Center to host our first annual campout–and the focus and excited chatter was about such things as sleeping bags, trail maps, and food for our overnight adventure. That morning, as we gathered at the HVNC parking lot, then made our way out to the sites in groups of twos and threes along multiple routes, we were ALL challenged by the terrain, the warm temperature, and for some of us, a feeling of being “SO FAR out of our comfort zone.”
Arriving at our site felt nothing short of triumphant and it was incredible how quickly "Camp Life" came together! Such an eclectic group of people, whose
lives have not been easy, finding this automatic common ground and rhythm of teamwork. 100% living in those moments, we were SO focused on the tasks at hand: hiking everything in, making a fire, unpacking and organizing, sweeping the deck, raking the many acorns away from the campsite, then the food, sleeping arrangements, and laughter around the nighttime campfire with whispers of flashlights cutting through the night. We greeted the morning with laughter while enjoying donuts and coffee; we told and retold, with LOADS of laughter, how the one dog who joined us for this campout had to finally be taken home in the middle of the night because she was so terrified of the many owls who sang their song in the night sky above us, bestowing their
blessings upon our magical night. This is the stuff of both spiritual significance and comedic legend that just cannot be made up!
The final push to hike all of our stuff and selves back out to the parking lot and our everyday lives was an arduous one, but that did not dampen the enthusiastic takeaway. We talked a lot about what we will bring for gear "next time" and the idea that we are laying the groundwork for a new tradition of ways for us all to enjoy healthy outdoor connections right here in our community with some simple, yet incredibly impactful, moments such as this campout at HVNC. As we said our sweaty goodbyes in the parking lot, I saw two lovely things on the faces of our unlikely group of campers: Pride–in doing this, trying it, getting there, the adventure, all the sweat of it, and Hope–every single person used words like "next time" or asked, "When do we do this next year?"
Many thanks to Midcoast Conservancy for supporting our local Recovery Community–and a special shout out to the owls of Sugar Ridge!
IF FISH COULD SAY THANK YOU…
By Melissa Cote
IMAGINE YOU’RE HIKING ON A MOUNTAIN RIDGE TRAIL ON A HOT SUMMER DAY. THE HIGH HUMIDITY MAKES THE AIR TOUGH TO BREATHE AND THE SCORCHING SUN IS BEATING DOWN ON YOUR SKIN. YOU SPOT A TREE AND DECIDE TO TAKE REFUGE IN THE SHADE WHERE YOU KNOW IT’S COOLER. HOWEVER, AS YOU WALK OVER TO THE SHADE THERE’S A TALL FENCE BLOCKING YOUR PATH.
You try to climb over it, but can’t quite make it. The fence is completely preventing you from accessing the cool refuge that you know the shade will provide. Your only option is to keep walking down the trail to find refuge somewhere else.
The same scenario applies to our native cold-water fish species, such as endangered Atlantic salmon and brook trout. During the hot summer months of July and August, these fishes will seek out cold water to wait out stressfully warm water temperatures. Smaller tributaries are often a source of colder water, but access to them can be blocked by undersized road stream crossings, such as culverts.
Culverts are structures that allow water to pass beneath a road, trail, or other waterway obstruction. If undersized or not set properly, culverts can be a complete barrier to fish by acting like a velocity barrier (think fish trying to swim up a firehose), if there’s not enough water in the culvert to swim through, or if a culvert is perched or sitting above the stream. Any of these scenarios would prevent fish from accessing cold-water refugia, spawning habitat, or food on the other side.
The term “fish passage” refers to the ability to safely, timely, and effectively allow fish to move through a water system as needed to survive and fulfill their life-cycle
NRCS Fisheries Biologist, Chris Reidy, standing at the outlet of the culvert where Egypt Road crosses Ben Brook, a cold-water tributary of the Sheepscot River. The culvert sits 5 feet above the stream, blocking access to the cold-water habitat upstream.
requirements. When most people think of fish passage, they think of dam removals and fishways, but replacing undersized culverts with properly sized crossings that allow for natural stream function can be important fish passage projects too! For example, Midcoast Conservancy is helping the Town of Alna replace an undersized culvert on Ben Brook, a cold-water tributary of the Sheepscot River. The outlet of the existing culvert sits five feet above the stream, completely blocking any fish from accessing the cold-water habitat upstream.
Just as you’d be grateful to move out of the sun on a hot day to the shade, an Atlantic salmon or brook trout would be grateful to freely find cooler water to escape the summer’s increasingly stressful warm water!
Juvenile endangered Atlantic salmon (parr) collected during routine surveying of the species by the Department of Marine Resources. Salmon start to become stressed once water temperatures reach 22°C (72°F) and seek cold-water refugia in the river and its tributaries to survive the hot summer months.
volunteer awards
By Ali Stevenson
NOTHING MAKES US HAPPIER THAN HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO OUR VOLUNTEERS–AND THIS YEAR’S STATE OF THE MIDCOAST SERIES OFFERED A CHANCE TO THANK A FEW OF OUR MOST DEDICATED FOLKS.
By Ali Stevenson
The Marty Welt Volunteer Award is given in memory of one of the most dedicated volunteers
Damariscotta Lake has ever known. Marty served in almost every capacity for Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association and Midcoast Conservancy, putting in hundreds of hours over the years to protect the lake. Though it is hard to match Marty’s commitment, we are delighted to grant the award to volunteers who share his passion for the lake.
At the State of the Lake event in August at Wavus Camps, Patricia Nease honored Diana and Paul Stevens for their tireless efforts with the inaugural Marty Welt Volunteer Award. Diana and Paul have been volunteers for many years on Damariscotta Lake and while they have participated in a variety of projects, their main focus has been on invasive aquatic plants. In 2009, when Hydrilla was identified in a cove near their property, Diana and Paul provided a launching site for
removal efforts and surveillance in the lake. Fortunately, all that hard work has paid off because Damariscotta Lake has been removed from the infested list! Diana and Paul continue to volunteer for Invasive Plant Patrol and Courtesy Boat Inspection and step up to help out whenever asked.
Charlie Witherall was the recipient of our 2024 Medomak Valley Volunteer of the Year Award. Charlie is the Trail Boss for our Medomak Valley Trail Crew. He has been creating and tending to trails in the Medomak Valley since 2001. The first project Charlie remembers working on was a footbridge at our Burkett Mill Trail in Waldoboro. Over the past 25 years Charlie has worked with many community members to create some of our most treasured trails, including the Geele, Mill Pond, Peters Pond, and Riverbrook trails. Even after decades of dedication, Charlie continues to rally the troops every Wednesday to hit the trails to keep them safe and accessible to the community. No matter if it is in cold weather or hot, cutting fallen trees or lugging lumber, Charlie always brings an infectious can-do attitude. With the help of folks like Ed Kahora and James Dagleish, as well as many others, Charlie sustains a fun and hard-working group of volunteers. After every trail day he sends out captivating recap emails to keep everyone connected and engaged. We could not do what we
do without our amazing volunteers. Thank you to Charlie and the entire Medomak Valley Trail Crew for keeping our trails in tip top shape!
Lili Pugh was in the spotlight at the State of the Sheepscot event. Lili has been part of the Sheepscot Sampler program since 1998: 26 years of dedicated volunteer service to the Sheepscot River. As part of the Sheepscot Samplers, Lili has been a water quality monitor, coordinated volunteers, and essentially led the program. She wrote grants to fund the program, because replacing chemicals in our dissolved oxygen kits and lab analysis for our bacteria samples is not cheap. Lili has also done data analysis, written reports, and is currently on our advisory committee for the program. In addition, she is a property monitor for us and volunteers at HVNC. The Sheepscot River is lucky to have a dedicated champion and advocate.
Charlie Witherell award presentation
Melissa Cote with Lili Pugh
Diana and Paul Stevens with Patricia Nease
15,000 ACRES: AN ODE TO PROPERTY MONITORS!
By Isobel Curtis
EACH FALL MIDCOAST CONSERVANCY’S PROPERTY MONITORS TREK INTO THE FAR-FLUNG REACHES OF MIDCOAST MAINE TO EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL FORESTS, BLUEBERRY BARRENS, MARSHES, BOGS, FARMS, HOMESTEADS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN–ALL IN THE NAME OF CONSERVATION! YOU SEE, EACH OF THE 15,000 ACRES OF LAND UNDER OUR STEWARDSHIP NEED TO BE WALKED EACH YEAR. THIS ENSURES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO TIMBER TRESSPASSES, DUMPING, OR OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT IMPACT THE HEALTH OF THE LAND THAT WE CONSERVE.
Monitoring is accomplished by a combination of trained volunteers and staff who visit each of the 223 properties, which range in size from one to 544 acres. Part relationship-building, part bushwhacking, part orienteering, and part history lesson, property monitoring is no light task. To be a good monitor, one has to understand the historical and current uses of the land and the context it exists within. This requires reading the land use history–where there were fields and homesteads and timber harvests–as well as looking at the land’s importance to humans now. Each year, monitors check in with easement landowners
to see if anything has changed on their protected property and invite them to join for the monitoring visit. These conversations always reveal a deep care for the land they call home, sometimes chronicling decades or generations of careful stewardship. Property monitors also try to understand how the community and neighbors may be using the land, especially on Midcoast Conservancy-owned preserves with public access. Understanding these relationships helps provide a dynamic picture of all the ways people are interacting with the land and the value it provides to the community.
Property monitoring also entails checking the boundaries of the
property. Boundaries are marked in various ways, from stone walls and barbed wire to traditional blazing on trees, and some are much easier to find than others! Like following a trail of breadcrumbs through the forest, walking the boundary requires heightened senses to scan for the next mark and a good sense of humor when you lose the trail and end up walking in a circle. Property monitoring is always an adventure and I am tremendously grateful for all our volunteers that partake in this adventure year after year! It is such an integral part of our stewardship work and we could not do it without the help of many hands.
Photo by Morganne Price Foggy scene from a recent monitoring visit in Waldoboro
GRATEFUL TO GATHER
FROM THE CLARRY HILL HIGHLANDS TO LEARNING ON THE TRAILS, FROM LIVE EDGE MUSIC IN THE BARN AT HVNC TO OUR GALA IN THE BARN AT INN ALONG THE WAY, FROM PADDLES TO VERNAL POOL EXPLORATION…
WE GATHERED ACROSS THE MIDCOAST THIS SUMMER AND FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES WE ARE GRATEFUL!
