MAINE - The Trust for Public Land in Action: 2018

The Trust for Public Land in Action: 2018 C E L E B R AT I N G W HAT YO U M A D E P O S S I B L E IN MAINE AND BEYOND

Introduction Imagine the difference between building 10 parks that serve thousands of people and leveraging an entire suite of conservation tools to reach many millions more. Imagine the difference between completing a few land protection projects that expand outdoor access locally and a string of projects that entirely change the way people interact with land across Maine and around the country.

This is the difference between great work and transformative work, and it’s the bold direction that we’re headed at The Trust for Public Land under our new President and CEO Diane Regas.

projects like launching seven-figure campaigns to protect Bethel Community Forest and Bald Mountain Pond. Diane and The Trust for Public Land’s National Board of Directors got to see this work up close when they joined us in Maine this summer for their annual retreat. Together they explored Bald Mountain Pond, learned more about our ambitious conservation goals, and saw firsthand what locals have long known: Maine’s forest, mountains, trails, and coastline are American treasures and our work to protect them is essential.

As we move forward with these projects and embark on the next chapter of our land for people mission in Maine, supporters like you will be key to reaching our goals. As a small token of thanks for all that you do to advance our work, we’d like to share an update on everything we’ve accomplished together in 2018 and offer a sneak peek into what’s in store for 2019. We hope you’ll join us for the exciting year ahead. Thank you, as always, for your support.

Diane took the helm at The Trust for Public Land in the spring of 2018, and right out of the gate she challenged us to think in these terms, to stretch our understanding of what is possible and what it will take to get there.

It is her vision that we not only create new parks and protect critical landscapes just as we always have, but that we better leverage our national expertise across multiple disciplines—including research, innovation, policy, and advocacy—to truly deliver on our mission at scale.

We’re working towards this goal in Maine by continuing our mission-critical work on the ground—through projects like Redington Forest and Lone Mountain, and by taking on new, bold

Bayside Trail

Portland, ME

Project update C O M P L E T E : R E D I N GT O N F O R E S T A N D L O N E M O U N TA I N After more than 10 years of negotiations, fundraising campaigns, and community engagement, we protected both Redington Forest and Lone Mountain, securing 10,735 acres of public land along the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Maine. In doing so, we not only protected the AT experience for thousands of people who hike along this section each year, but also guaranteed permanent access to the properties’ trails, woods, streams, and peaks for members of the nearby communities.

Both Redington Forest and Lone Mountain are part of our ongoing effort to protect vulnerable

land along the AT corridor. Together they build on earlier successes we achieved along the AT in Maine, including the neighboring Crocker Mountain (12,046 acres in 2013) and nearby Orbeton Stream (5,774 acres in 2014).

Because these properties help buffer a remote wilderness training facility operated by the U.S. Navy, we were able to secure significant project funding from the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program, the first time REPI funding has been successfully put to work in Maine.

Redington Forest

Redington Township, ME

Project update C U R R E N T: T H E C A M PA I G N F O R B E T H E L C O M M U N I T Y F O R E S T With less than 3,000 residents spread across 65 square miles, Bethel is a quiet and tranquil place to call home. But for all of its rural charm, expansive forests, and rolling fields, the town lacks an adequate amount of publicly-accessible land for the entire community to enjoy. This lack of public open space limits the ability of residents to connect with nature on a regular basis and is holding the town back from reaching its economic potential and goal of becoming a premier outdoor recreation destination.

“[Creating the new town forest] is a great idea to get more people in town outside. It develops an outdoor ethic for kids growing up.

And if you protect it now, it will always be protected. It will help keep the community vibrant.”

The Trust for Public Land, Mahoosuc Pathways, and Northern Forest Center are partnering with the community to change this reality and help them realize their goal of creating Bethel Community Forest—a new community-managed open space in the heart of town.

of existing public land, and will create a 3,500-acre block of publically-accessibly open space once secured.

Rich with red maple and eastern white pine, and outfitted with an existing network of winding trails, the 978-acre forest is easily accessible from Bethel’s vibrant town center. It adjoins 2,500 acres

Alex Strugatskiy, Bethel resident

As project leader, The Trust for Public Land is working to purchase the property from its current owners, facilitate community engagement, and lead the $2.25 million fundraising campaign.

Already, donors have contributed over $1,600,000— 71 percent of our goal.

Bethel Community Forest Bethel, ME

Meet our new President and CEO Diane Regas, President and CEO Diane Regas joined The Trust for Public Land in the spring of 2018 as president and CEO. Prior to The Trust for Public Land, Diane worked for more than a decade at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), most recently as executive director, where she helped EDF advance solutions that promote prosperity for all people and for the

planet. Prior to EDF, Diane served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working under both Democratic and Republican administrations as the top civil servant protecting our nation’s rivers, lakes, and bays.

Diane earned her A.B., M.S. in energy and resources, and J.D. at the University of California, Berkeley, and resides in Berkeley, CA. An avid outdoor explorer, Diane enjoys hiking, cycling, diving, camping, and spending time in nature with her husband, children, and granddaughter.

Bald Mountain Pond

Bald Mountain Township, ME

Project update C U R R E N T: T H E C A M PA I G N F O R B A L D M O U N TA I N P O N D Deep within the forests of western Maine and immediately adjacent to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail lies the remote and ecologically significant Bald Mountain Pond. This expansive property includes a pristine, 1,200-acre lake (with eight miles of waterfront) and more than 1,500 acres of old growth forest, which together represent some of Maine’s highest quality and most unique wildlife habitat.

With support from federal, state, and private partners, The Trust for Public Land is working to protect the Bald Mountain Pond property to secure its remote identity and resources, protect against development, and increase public recreation opportunities. The property, which is part of a broader natural landscape spanning several million acres, has been identified as a top conservation priority by multiple public agencies and conservation organizations.

operating foundation, which has set up a matching challenge.

To protect Bald Mountain Pond, we must raise another $1.4 million urgently. We are asking potential supporters to consider making a major investment to help us achieve the $3 million campaign goal. Every contribution will have a significant impact.

Conserving Bald Mountain Pond will: • Protect habitat for nationally-significant wildlife • Secure pristine landscapes including a century-old forest and freshwater habitat • Preserve scenic viewshed from the Appalachian Trail • Protect existing access to the property for year-round recreation use.

With protection of the 1,495-acre forest nearly complete, we are now working to protect the 1,200-acre pond and a 10-acre boat launch area to complete this rare conservation opportunity.

As part of our protection efforts, we are securing the private logging road system to create permanent legal access to the property for the first time. This improved access will encourage more canoers and kayakers to explore the lake’s numerous coves, islands, and beaches, and support responsible fishing of wild brook trout; it will make it easier for visitors to access the Appalachian Trail and explore Moxie Bald Mountain, a high alpine peak with 360-degree views of the forest below.

The Trust for Public Land is raising private funds to protect Bald Mountain Pond. Donors have already contributed $1.6 million, including a generous $1.13 million lead gift from the Quimby family’s

Bald Mountain Pond

Bald Mountain Township, ME

Project update C U R R E N T: B I G S I X F O R E S T Tucked deep in Maine’s North Woods along the Quebec border, the Big Six Forest is among the largest sources of maple syrup in the United States.

With more than 340,000 maple taps, the forest accounts for 19 percent of Maine’s production of maple syrup and 3 percent of the total U.S. production. Some families have been tapping the same trees on this property for more than three generations.

Besides its importance to the syrup industry, the forest is also a source of timber for local mills, a well-loved recreation area, and a vital wildlife corridor that adjoins protected lands on both sides of the Quebec-Maine border.

The Trust for Public Land is working in partnership with state agencies and maple syrup producers to protect the 23,000-acre Big Six Forest with a working conservation easement that will secure 4,000 acres of late successional sugar maple.

The easement, which will be held by the State of Maine will be funded in part by the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program.

With federal due diligence progressing, we are negotiating a final sale of the easement from the private landowner.

We expect to complete protection of the forest by the end of the year.

Big Six Forest

Bix Six Township, ME

Project update C U R R E N T: C O M M U N I T Y E N G A G E M E N T I N R A N G E L E Y At The Trust for Public Land, getting to know the communities where we work is a critical part of our land for people mission. We know it’s not enough to just protect beautiful landscapes or build great parks; we must first understand residents’ goals, learn about specific challenges they’re facing, and allow them to define their own vision for the parks and open spaces in their community.

Despite recent setbacks, including the closing of Saddleback Ski Area in 2015, which was the economic backbone of the community, Rangeley is uniquely positioned to once again support a robust outdoor economy. The town supports year-round recreation opportunities—including a 150-year tradition of hunting and fishing camps—and is home to pure waters, sprawling forests, and numerous trails (including the Appalachian Trail).

That’s why we’re proud to be working with Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Rangeley Health and Wellness, and the Town of Rangeley to develop a community-driven vision that will help improve local quality of life, increase economic activity, and better leverage the town’s natural assets during its time of transition.

Through an eight-month community visioning process that is well underway, we’re the helping the town write its next chapter by better tapping into these many recreational amenities. The ongoing engagement process includes four community meetings and will be completed in March 2019.

Looking forward Eastern Promenade In addition to the bold, landscape-scale conservation projects that we’re advancing across the state, we’re committed to improving park equity and access in our hometown of Portland.

While 87 percent of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park or open space, more must be done to ensure that everyone in the city has easy access to the outdoors. Building off our work to evaluate the city’s park system in 2014, which resulted in the Portland Open Space Vision and Implementation Plan, we’re now working with the City to increase the number of people who have access to parks, trails and open spaces within a 10-minute walk of home, create new parks, expand existing trails, and assess park quality and user experience.

Portland, ME

Meet The Trust for Public Land’s Maine Team Bill Toomey, New England Area Director Bill began his regional leadership role with The Trust for Public Land in August 2017 and currently oversees the organization’s parks and conservation activities in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. Previously, Bill was with The Nature Conservancy, focusing on forest and watershed protection, leadership, management, and fundraising. A certified arborist, Bill holds a B.S. in Biology from Fairfield University and an M.S. in Soil Science from North Carolina State University.

Betsy Cook, Project Manager Betsy joined The Trust for Public Land in January 2017.

As project manager she helps agencies and communities conserve forest and coastal lands and establish community-owned forests.

Previously, Betsy was Land Protection Manager with New England Forestry Foundation, where she managed land and easement acquisitions and initiated and led the creation of the organization’s land protection strategy. Betsy holds a B.A. from Cornell University and Master of Environmental Management and Master of Forestry from Duke University, where she completed her thesis on community forestry.

Randi Hogan, New England Director of Philanthropy Randi joined The Trust for Public Land in January 2016. She brings more than 20 years of experience successfully guiding national and international nonprofit organizations in developing and expanding philanthropic resources and programmatic impact. Previously, Randi was executive director of Playworks Maryland and led resource development strategy at Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, ActionAid, Vital Voices Global Partnership and Grameen Foundation. Randi earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.

Ashley Stanton Niehoff, Office Manager Ashley joined The Trust for Public Land as Office Manager in March 2018. She spends a portion of time in philanthropy related activities for Maine and beyond and provides executive assistance for the senior management staff. Before joining the team, Ashley worked in a variety of executive administrative roles, including eight years at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME. Originally, from Virginia and Texas, Ashley has long spent summers in Northeast Harbor and Acadia National Park.

Maine State Advisory Board We are so grateful for the support of our exceptional leaders!

Rachel Houlihan, Yarmouth Neil J. Kiely, Falmouth Angus S. King III, Portland Cynthia Plank Orcutt, Kingfield

Micah Roberge, Portland Tobin Scipione, Portland Peg Smith, Cumberland David Wilby, Brunswick

Little Berry Pond Northern Forest, ME

Thank you

for supporting The Trust for Public Land as we work to protect land and create parks for people in Maine and beyond.

We couldn’t do it without you.

Join us.

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.

tpl.org

Randi Hogan New England Director of Philanthropy 207.772.7424 x7 | randi.hogan@tpl.org Bill Toomey New England Area Director 207.772.7424 | bill.toomey@tpl.org 30 Danforth Street Suite 106 Portland, Maine 04101

PHOTOS: © JERRY AND MARCY MONKMAN/ECOPHOTOGRAPHY DIANE REGAS PHOTO COURTESY OF PLUS M PRODUCTIONS; STAFF PHOTOS COURTESY OF TPL STAFF.