IslandNews from MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST about Land LandscaConservation on Mount Desert Island & the Cranberry Isles peSummer 2013s Forging a New Trail Partnership

Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s Kitteredge Brook Forest Preserve will soon have an expanded trail network, thanks to a collaboration involving MCHT, MDI High School, Acadia National Park and Friends of Acadia. These partners recently agreed to improve an existing trail system next to the high school and to add a spur so that more people can enjoy the wildlife-rich, 500-acre preserve MCHT conserved in 2011. The school’s outdoor science class has already begun work on the trail network. “Students love doing something real and hands-on,” says their teacher Jennifer Riefler. “We have students with a range of backgrounds and skills all working alongside each other and taking ownership and leadership.” MDI High School Principal Matt Haney envisions “infi- nite growth possibilities in the new partnership as the school takes more and more learning outside.” Students may work Billy Helprin on the trails and preserve through service-learning projects MDI high school students have already begun helping with or senior exhibition projects. MDI Regional School System construction and maintenance of the trail system. Superintendent Howard Colter says that both he and the school board see this as “a lovely grassroots model that we hope will expand over time. We’re always looking for ways our stu- dents can be part of the larger community, get physical activity outdoors, and be active learners, so this is all very promising and exciting.” KITTEREDGE BROOK FOREST PRESERVE Students, community volunteers, and Friends of Acadia crew leaders will help MCHT construct the new trail. “This forest has diverse ecological habitats and extensive wetlands,” says Regional Steward Billy Helprin, “so we’ll site trails carefully, minimize stream crossings, and build bridging where needed.”

ACADIA The new trail will be open to the community for pedestrian NATIONAL PARK use, with parking available at the high school. “The Forest MDI High has few existing trailheads with ample parking so we’re delight- School ed the school can help make the preserve more accessible,” notes Helprin. N While not formally part of the Village Connector Trail 0 1,800 system, this trail crosses through Acadia National Park. “The FEET Eagle Lake Rd. Kitteredge Brook Forest Preserve is a really special place,” says Martie Crone Martie The new trail collaboration at MDI High School will expand Park Visitor Specialist Charlie Jacobi. “We’re pleased to help an existing trail network through Acadia National Park land to MCHT’s Kitteredge Brook Forest, allowing more people the community gain access to this remote and beautiful area.” to enjoy Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s 500-acre preserve.

A Statewide Land Conservation Organization Providing Water Access for Work and Recreation Misha Mytar Community members enjoy year-round recreational access to Echo Lake using a small parcel recently donated to MCHT. Billy Helprin

As part of its coastwide commitment Vista” roadside pullover to swim on hot 50 percent by town wharf revenues and a to land protection, Maine Coast Heritage days and to go ice fishing or skating in $5,000 contribution from MCHT. Trust helps communities preserve shore ac- winter. MCHT will provide continued cess for recreation, marine harvesting and access and take steps to minimize erosion a variety of other uses. Two recent projects on this small, gravelly parcel. on Mount Desert Island permanently pro- Maine Coast Heritage Trust recently tect the traditional water access that local supported improvements to the Bernard residents have long enjoyed. boat ramp at Bass Harbor, a project impor- Thanks to a donation from Downeast tant to the town’s working waterfront and

Audubon, MCHT recently assumed own- to local residents who enjoy getting out Terry Towne ership and management of a traditional on the water. The upgrade was funded Maine Coast Heritage Trust provided a small grant to the Town of Tremont to help community access point along Echo Lake. by a Small Harbor Improvement Program upgrade its Bernard boat ramp, a critical Local residents have long used this “Echo (SHIP) grant from the state, matched at resource for the island’s working fleet.

MCHT: A RESOURCE FOR THE MDI COMMUNITY

More than 40 years ago, Maine most active on and around Mount Coast Heritage Trust opened its first Desert Island are Misha Mytar, MDI office on Mount Desert Island and Land Protection Project Manager, began work to protect significant and Billy Helprin, Regional Land ecological, recreational and scenic Steward. “A lot of the projects we lands along Maine’s coast. While work on,” Mytar says, “come to us pursuing this statewide mission, from community members and part- MCHT has maintained a unique ners who identify situations where relationship with MDI—often initi- our expertise could prove helpful.” To ating projects that primarily benefit contact Misha or Billy, call 244-5100 the local community. or drop by the Trust’s office at its The two MCHT staff members Babson Creek Preserve in Somesville. Maine Coast Heritage Trust Staff Members Billy Helprin and Misha Mytar

Island Landscapes Summer 2013 2 Maine Coast Heritage Trust Supporting Local Foods and Farms

More than 15 families with young children are participating in MDI’s first Kids Can Grow Program, an introduction to vegetable gardening hosted by Maine Coast Heritage Trust, in cooperation with University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

With help from Maine Coast

Misha Mytar Heritage Trust, College of the Atlantic was able to purchase a key parcel of prime farmland adjoining its Beech Hill Farm property. Billy Helprin

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is hosting MDI’s first-ever Kids Can Grow (KCG) program, which encourages families to produce their own fresh vegetables. Overseen by University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMCE), KCG helps youth between ages 7 and 12 create their own raised bed gardens at home, with group classes and a mentor to support them. The new KCG site is at MCHT’s Babson Creek Preserve in a community garden that offers plots to area residents. “This is an awesome spot, with a central location, water, tool storage, and nice meeting space,” observes KCG organizer Devin Altobello

John A. Correa. The program already has 15 young people © and their families participating, supported by a dozen UMCE Master Gardener volunteers. for sale in 2011, COA asked MCHT to help secure this prime “We’ve had a wonderful community response so far, farmland (a rare resource on an island where less than 5 percent and generous business support,” observes Billy Helprin, a of soils carry that select federal designation). Regional Steward for MCHT. “For example, Lee Worcester Thanks to all those who donated to its recent MDI Initiative, (of Eastern Maine Recycling) and Tom Savage (of Savage MCHT was able to support conservation of this important agri- Forest Enterprise) contributed all the soil/compost mix and cultural resource. The college has purchased the field, which lumber needed for 19 raised bed gardens.” is being incorporated into the farm’s original agricultural ease- Just across town, MCHT recently helped ensure the agri- ment. “We’re grateful for MCHT’s help in this acquisition,” notes cultural future of a farm field threatened by development. Beech Hill Farm manager Tess Faller. “The newly purchased Beech Hill Farm, a 76-acre property owned by College of the land is one of our most productive and level fields, and one of Atlantic (with an agricultural easement held by MCHT), the earliest ones that we can work in spring.” produces organic vegetables for the college community and The protected field has more than 200 feet of frontage on local food pantries, as well as for retail and CSA customers. Beech Hill Road, helping sustain the open vistas enjoyed by When an adjoining 1.5-acre field leased by the farm was listed local residents and park visitors.

Island Landscapes Summer 2013 3 Maine Coast Heritage Trust MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST aine Coast Heritage Trust is dedicated to P.O. Box 669 Mt. Desert, ME 04660 Mprotecting land that is essential to the char- acter of Maine, its coastline and islands in particu- lar. Since its founding on Mount Desert Island in 1970, MCHT has permanently protected more than 138,000 acres, including 303 entire coastal islands. It provides conservation services to landowners, local land trusts and state and community officials free of charge. A membership organization, MCHT welcomes your support and inquiries.

A Statewide Land Conservation Organization

P.O. BOX 669, MOUNT DESERT, ME 04660 • 207-244-5100 1 BOWDOIN MILL ISLAND, SUITE 201, TOPSHAM, ME 04086 207-729-7366 P.O. BOX 4, SULLIVAN, ME 04664 • 207-422-1130 WWW. MCHT. ORG Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled stock Design: ethos

Outdoor Opportunities The President’s Circle Maine Coast Heritage Trust is hosting dozens of field An Invitation trips and work days this summer and fall, many of them around MDI or downeast. Here’s a sampling of upcoming opportunities: for more details, please visit www.mcht.org or become a fan of MCHT’s Facebook page.

August 16 & 21 — Frenchboro Hikes: Explore this remarkable 1,159-acre island preserve August 23 — Merchant Row Boat Tour: Explore Merchant Row by boat and swim at Green Island Maine Coast Heritage Trust recently estab- September 27-29 — Great Maine Outdoor Weekend: lished The President’s Circle to recognize mem- Learn more at www.greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org bers making leadership gifts of $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 or more. Each member will receive invitations to special events, select communica- tions from MCHT’s President, and two free gift memberships, as well as being acknowledged in an annual publication. To learn more about becoming an inaugural member, please contact [email protected] or speak with Nicky

Kristen Drinkert Blanchard at 207-729-7366, ext. 127.