2020 Spring Newsletter
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Downeast Coastal 2020 Spring LandmarksThe Newsletter of the Downeast Coastal Conservancy Conservancy Downeast Coastal Conservancy Vining Lake: A New Community Preserve! n March 12, Downeast Coast- local communities. A small number of of the last remaining Atlantic salmon al Conservancy acquired more generous private donors, DCC’s Board populations in the United States. With Othan 400 acres as our newest of Directors, as well as grants from the its stands of white pine and other na- Preserve. Vining Lake, itself 26 acres Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and the tive trees, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife in size, is located approximately 21 Davis Conservation Foundation pro- Service has described the forest hab- miles north of Machias, off route 191 vided the capital to purchase the land. itat as possessing high value for rare in the Cooper and Cathance Town- Just as importantly, these funds were and declining species of birds and fish. ship. This acquisition was our first sufficient to establish an endowment Maine’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife step in establishing DCC’s Vining Lake that will provide stewardship for the Department rates Vining Lake among Community Preserve. This conserva- Preserve into the future. the top 12 brook trout habitats in New tion-based property is being set aside England. so that the public can enjoy forever The Vining Lake Community Preserve its many educational and recreational is host to a variety of important habi- Vining Lake has been a recreational attractions such as hiking, fishing, and tats, from its pristine lake to its mixed resource for families in the surround- other low-impact activities. woodlands rich in songbirds, reptiles ing communities for decades. The and amphibians, and mammals such as lake is stocked with brook trout annu- DCC acquired the land in a bargain moose, black bear, otter, and beaver. ally and is widely used for ice fishing sale from owners Jonathan and Melin- Along the lakeside, there are extensive during the winter. DCC will continue da Jaques of Dennysville. The Jaques granite outcroppings. The Preserve to encourage low-impact, recreational have been assembling the pieces of this contains meadows and wetlands that activities on the property while, at the property over several years. They be- support a variety of plants and ber- same time, protecting all of its habitats. lieved that this remarkable lake and its ries. Vining Lake is part of the head- Boating on the lake will be limited to surrounding lands should remain un- waters of the East Machias River and hand-carried, non-motorized craft. developed and available for use by the provides outstanding waters for one Continued on page 8 2 Landmarks Newsletter | Spring 2020 Notes in the Age of Corona by Executive Director Jon Southern come by. This new preserve will reflect distance) to ensure that common sense, community conservation at its finest. safe practices are followed. s we move forward into summer, we would like to reflect on a tru- Other Important DCC Acquisitions! Our current situation fosters Aly exciting 2019 season for DCC outside-the-box thinking, a – one that achieved success in several • Cathy Lookabaugh – our new Out- stronger-than-ever focus on remarkable projects. Yet, like you, we reach and Membership Director! – Cathy, Kyle, and I – are almost feeling Undeterred by the current chal- our mission, and the use of overwhelmed by this global upheaval. lenges of social distancing, Cathy innovative ways to get things Just a few weeks ago, we were planning is already developing innovative done. for an exciting year ahead – our only ways to keep our communities en- concern, then, was insufficient snow for gaged in COVID-customized out- We understand that our members, skiing or snowshoeing! Now, sudden- door activities. partners, and volunteers are facing un- ly, we are facing a crisis of enormous certain conditions and difficult times. • Indian River Conservation Area in health and economic proportions. Yet the continuing encouragement Addison represents an important from our membership and determina- addition to our salt marsh migra- Nonetheless, I am sure that you are tion of our volunteers drive us forward tion and protection projects and more than ready to hear the positive. through these many challenges. We conserves wetland habitat that I am happy to celebrate great achieve- must not lose our sense of bearing. supports rare plants, animals and ments made this year in our collective From our 35 years of protecting stra- migratory birds. conservation efforts. We have brought tegic lands, we know that this conser- to fruition some impressive projects in • Smalls Cove Conservation Ease- vation community, like the Downeast the past few weeks, despite the current ment in Pembroke will protect region, is determined and resilient. challenges. With great pride, DCC an- important shorebird habitat, Our current situation fosters outside- nounces its new flagship preserve in clammer access to tidal flats, the-box thinking, a stronger-than-ever Cooper/Cathance Township. The Vin- and a truly stunning part of the focus on our mission, and the use of in- ing Lake Community Preserve contains Pembroke coastline that is under novative ways to get things done. As a a stunning, pristine lake, the perimeter increasing pressure for develop- member of DCC, you are a critical part of which is entirely undeveloped. ment. of our team that has achieved, and con- tinues to achieve, amazing conservation For so many throughout the Our preserves are seeing record use results. We thank you for your ongoing Downeast region, its protec- now as parents take their children out support. tion as a community resource into quality natural environments. Our I wish you the best of health and look has been a ray of sunshine, landscapes lend themselves to respon- forward to seeing everyone Downeast especially now when uncloud- sible social distancing practices and provide the positive stimulation need- as soon as Maine guidelines allow for ed news is hard to come by. ed for mental and physical well-being. restoration of normal activities and in- From this crisis, people are becoming teractions. I always welcome your ques- The preserve will protect outstanding more aware than ever of the beauty tions, concerns, or comments at (207) trout habitat and outdoor recreational and the emotional value of their natural 214-5860 or at jon@downeastcoastal- opportunities. This remarkable acqui- environments and the importance of conservancy.org. sition was made possible by the over- conservation achievements across the whelming generosity of the previous Downeast region. landowners, Jonathan and Melinda Jaques, and through the financial sup- Operations at DCC continue to be port of our members. The positive “business as unusual.” All of us are attention that this acquisition has gar- working from home and visiting the of- nered is heartwarming for us. For so fice on an as-need basis. Kyle is still in many throughout the Downeast region, the field since Maine guidelines deem its protection as a community resource stewardship functions as essential. My has been a ray of sunshine, especially primary concern is the welfare of our now when unclouded news is hard to staff; we are working closely (but at a Landmarks Newsletter | Spring 2020 3 Staff Spotlight: Cathy Lookabaugh athy Lookabaugh recently joined our team as the Outreach and CMembership Director. Cathy is originally from New Jersey and first moved to the state to attend the Uni- versity of Maine in Orono. She found her way to Lubec in the summer of 2019, as her husband Ian was ready to Downeast move back to his hometown and work at the family store, Lubec Hardware. Coastal Cathy has served in various environ- Conservancy mental roles including Crew Member Board of Directors for the Maryland Conservation Corps, Ellen Hostert Field Supervisor for a Sea Turtle Recov- President, Stewardship Chair, Machias ery Project, Volunteer and Outreach Anne Baker Coordinator for the Maine Conser- Vice President, Fundraising Chair, Jonesboro vation Corps, and Volunteer and Ad- Thad Dolley ministration Coordinator for a youth What is your favorite DCC hiking trail? Treasurer, Machias non-profit called Trekkers. Les Coleman Assistant Treasurer, Secretary, Addison What influenced your decision to join My favorite DCC hiking trail is Pike Roger Clapp our team? Lands in Lubec. The hiking trails tra- verse through a variety of forested Assistant Secretary, Addison Julia Arnold, Whiting I love that DCC is a small dedicated team habitats leading to the rocky shore of Cat Cannon, Machias Huckins Beach where I have watched focused on conserving the natural re- David Dowley, Roque Bluffs numerous beautiful sunsets. The beach sources that make Downeast Maine- Leslie Page, Addison special. The community-inspired work is often so peaceful, feeling like your Davis Pike, Lubec is something I believe in and something I own private spot, with the only inter- Robin Pinto, Roque Bluffs am excited to be a part of. I have experi- ruption being sounds of seals barking Parke Rublee, Steuben enced numerous recreation areas across from a distance rock out in the water! the United States, but nothing compares to the beauty of our region. I am thrilled Contact Cathy by email at cathy@ Advisory Council to help preserve this unique area and I downeastcoastalconservancy.org. Tom Boutureira, Freeport am happy to be able to call it my forever Mark Boyer, Pembroke home! Alan Brooks, Lubec Andy Cadot, Roque Bluffs What inspires you most about this Ben Emory, Salsbury Cove work? Tora Johnson, Machias Craig Snapp, Steuben I am most inspired to know that DCC is a community made up of passionate in- dividuals who are looking to share their Staff strengths and learn from one another Jon Southern to become the best possible stewards Executive Director, Perry of the land.