Library Use Only - DECEMBER 1989 -w- Maine olu" Legacy The Nature Conservancy Happy Holidays This land is your land! □S I □S’

Mount Kineo, Greenville Big Reed Forest Reserve addition Story on page two Story on page three Kent

Wommack

Schoodic Island, Winter Harbor Story on page four MAINE STATE UBHAftT OFC 15 1QRQ Mount Kineo Protected

t. Kineo on Moosehead Lake, one of Maine’s best known Mnatural landmarks, will be permanently protected this December when the State of Maine purchases the 800-acre property through a transaction nego­ tiated by The Nature Conservancy. The State and the Conservancy first explored acquisition of Mt. Kineo and its adjacent resort almost 20 years ago. Lack of funding ultimately doomed efforts to put the resort property into the public domain. However, thanks to the $35 million land acquisition bond issue, Mt. Kineo itself will now be protected. Under an agreement negotiated by the Conservancy, the Land for Maine’s Future Board will purchase Mt. Kineo Hank from Louis Hilton of Greenville. Hil­ Tyler,

ton, who is a former member of the SPO Chapter’s Board of Trustees, generous­ ly agreed to sell the property at a bargain price of $750,000 (significantly itude to Lou Hilton for making Mt. made from this rock, known as "Kineo below appraised value) to ensure its Kineo available to the people of Maine. flint,” have been discovered as far preservation as a Moosehead Lake "With the possible exception of Mt. away as Pennsylvania. The property is landmark. The Land for Maine’s Future Katahdin (which was also made avail­ imbued with Penobscot legends of the Board, as well as the Maine Chapter’s able to the public by another generous warrior-hero Kinneho, who haunted Board of Trustees, expressed their grat- and well known Maine landowner), the dark mountain. there is probably no better known In the 1800s, entrepreneurs devel­ landmark, or one which so richly oped an elegant resort and summer deserves to be in the public domain, as colony at the base of the 1,780-foot Mt. Kineo,” said Chapter Chairperson mountain. This portion of the Kineo Sherry Huber. peninsula, which today remains under In addition to being a popular rec­ private ownership, has had a long and reational destination for hikers and checkered history as Maine’s most campers, Mt. Kineo is home to pere­ famous, but often troubled, lake resort. grine falcons, which have nested for The Kineo resort, however, was in years on the property’s sheer cliffs. its heyday in 1857 when Henry David Such rare plants as fragrant cliff wood­ Thoreau took the train to Rockwood fern (Dryop tens fragrant), rock whit­ and steamed across to Kineo for a visit. low-grass (Drabaarabisans), and bird’s- Writing later about the trip in his eye primrose (Primula farinosa) cling to book, The Maine Woods, Thoreau crevices in the flinty rock face of the described "the celebrated precipice” mountain. from which hikers can see clear to Mt. The human habitation of Mt. Kineo Katahdin, 35 miles east of Moosehead dates back thousands of years, when Lake. the "Red Paint” people maintained a Closing on the Mt. Kineo purchase burial ground at the base of the dra­ is scheduled for year-end. The property matic cliff. The site was later frequented will be managed by the State’s Bureau by Penobscot Indians, who used the of Parks and Recreation, which already mountain’s rhyolite stone for arrow­ owns nearby Farm Island. Peregrine falcon by Lucinda Wallace heads, knives and scrapers. Implements —Kent Wommack

2—Maine Legacy, December 1989 Big Reed Forest Reserve addition

n 1987, The Nature Conservancy acquired 3,800 acres of New Eng­ Iland’s largest virgin forest around Big Reed Pond, some 25 miles north of Baxter State Park. The area has since been designated the Big Reed Forest Reserve. This major purchase protected most, but not all, of the old-growth forest at Big Reed Pond. The size of the original purchase was constrained primarily by our then-perceived ability to raise the necessary funds: the subsequent $1.1 million campaign, waged over two years, was the largest Conservancy fund-raising effort in Maine to date by a wide margin. Fortunately, the campaign generated the interest of a few particularly gen­ erous and knowledgeable donors who Boundaries approximate were interested in 'rounding out’ the core Forest Reserve to encompass most of the natural boundary of this excep­ addition to protecting additional virgin financial sacrifice to help protect this tional virgin forest. forest, the expanded boundary includes exceptional natural area for future Armed with contingent pledges from the entire Big Reed Pond watershed generations. these donors, the Conservancy ap­ and an additional 'wilderness’ pond. To acquire all the additional acreage proached the Pingree heirs, from whom (See map.) considered necessary to protect the Big we had purchased the original tract, The deal finally struck with the Reed ecosystem, we committed all about acquiring additional acreage. We Pingree heirs is fairly complex: the available funds to purchasing land. were just in time: logging roads and contract contemplates two possible Fund raising to augment the existing harvesting programs had already been purchase methods. According to one stewardship endowment will be under­ planned for some of the land we were scenario, the Conservancy will pur­ taken at a future date. interested in acquiring. chase productive woodlands elsewhere (Note: Until the purchase is consum­ After an initial period of preserve in Maine, identified by Pingree, and mated, the lands scheduled for Conser­ design, intended to identify adjacent swap them on a value-for-value basis vancy acquisition continue to be owned lands that represented 'maximum bio­ for the land adjacent to the Forest by the Pingree heirs, who will be logical bang for the buck,’ we began Reserve. Alternatively, if a suitable conducting timber harvesting opera­ extended negotiations for an additional swap transaction can’t be arranged tions on adjacent property. Please do 1,013 acres on the eastern and southern within three years, the Conservancy not attempt to visit this area until we boundaries of the original preserve. In will purchase the land outright for announce guided field trips.) $287,000 in cash. Either way, the There is an unofficial operating strat­ additional acreage will make the Big egy within The Nature Conservancy, Reed Forest Reserve the Conservancy’s "Do what you have to do to save the largest preserve in Maine at 4,813 land, and you’ll raise the money some­ acres. how.” We are grateful to those whose And, either way, the purchase price generosity confirmed this maxim once represents a significant discount off again, enabling us to protect one of the appraised fair market value of the Maine’s most important natural areas. property. The Conservancy is once We are particularly grateful to those again grateful to the Pingree heirs, inspired donors who helped us go 'the represented by Brad Wellman and Steve extra mile’ (actually, in this instance, Schley, for their thoughtfulness and 1.6 square miles.) Pine marten in snow generosity in making a considerable —Mason Morfit

December 1989, Maine Legacy—3 Chapter Research Program Schoodic Island or the past eight years the Maine Chapter has annually solicited pro­ posalsF to its Research Contracts (for­ n the spring, visitors to Schoodic expenses and to repay the town approx­ merly known as Small Grants) Pro­ IIsland must step carefully to avoid imately three times the back taxes gram. Over the years researchers sup­ crushing the thousands of nests which owed. ported by the Maine Chapter have blanket the landscape, and they should We are delighted that this important hugely expanded our knowledge of give wide berth to the several-ton eagle island has now been permanently pro­ some of Maine’s most outstanding nest on the island’s south shore. In tected, and we are grateful to the ecosystems and rarest species, from fact, one visit to this avian-rich island townspeople of Winter Harbor in par­ lichens to orchids, from bald eagles off Winter Harbor makes it clear why ticular for their hard work and coop­ and grasshopper sparrows to tiny Schoodic has long been at the top of eration in helping to save this coastal moths. This increased knowledge about the acquisition priority list for both gem. People wishing to visit Schoodic distribution, habitats, life histories, Acadia National Park and the Maine Island can obtain more information and threats has significantly improved Department of Inland Fisheries and from Acadia National Park, P.O. Box our ability to protect and manage Wildlife. 177, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, tel. 207- Maine’s special biota. It was ten years ago, in June of 1979, 288-3338. This year our research efforts will that The Nature Conservancy first —Kent Wommack continue, but with a modified format wrote to the owner of Schoodic Island to focus our limited research resources to express interest in protecting the on highest priority topics and to min­ 61-acre rockbound island off Schoodic imize our administrative costs. Point. A decade later that dream was For this year there will be no general finally realized in a four-way closing solicitation of research proposals for which allowed Acadia National Park to consideration by a single deadline. acquire the outstanding seabird-and Over the next several months, steward­ bald eagle-nesting island. ship staff, working with science ad­ The tale of Schoodic Island’s protec­ visors, will be assessing the most tion is a long and complicated one. compelling research, biological moni­ Over the years, the Conservancy made toring and management needs of various acquisition proposals to the Maine’s rare species and ecosystems. island’s owner but without success. Requests for proposals addressing a Then, in 1987, the Town of Winter few specific projects for 1990-91 will Harbor took the island for back taxes Young double-crested, cormorants be issued subsequently. However, un­ after the landowner had failed to pay Schoodic Island solicited requests for funding to sup­ her property taxes for several years in a Below, eagle nest port scientific research that will enhance row. the protection or stewardship of At Winter Harbor’s March, 1988, Maine’s biological diversity will be town meeting, the townspeople voted considered at any time. to sell Schoodic Island to The Nature Application guidelines are available Conservancy for approximately its as­ in the Chapter office. Interested re­ sessed value. But no sooner had our searchers are encouraged to talk with purchase-and-sale contract been signed Barbara Vickery, Director of Science than the former landowner filed suit to and Stewardship, before submitting a block the sale. After nearly a year of proposal. (Tel. 207-729-5181) title work and negotiations, an agree­ Watch future issues of "Maine ment was worked out among all the Legacy” for news of the results of parties to protect Schoodic Island and 1988-89 research projects. its wildlife permanently. The Nature —Barbara Vickery Conservancy and the Town of Winter Harbor agreed to release their claim of ownership to Schoodic island to the Please check your mail former landowner, and she agreed to for the Maine Chapter’: sell the island to Acadia National Park, Annual Appeal letter. whose approved boundary includes the island. In addition, she agreed to Thank you! reimburse the Conservancy for its legal

4—Maine Legacy, December 1989 the director's corner

J. Mason Morfit

n October 17, Governor McKer- While Congress specifically directed 1990. Readers interested in attending nan and his counterparts in New the study team not to make recom­ the public hearings should call the OHampshire, Vermont and New Yorkmendations per se, it did ask for sug­ Northern Forest Lands Study office at announced publication of the draft gested strategies that would help (802) 773-2133 for dates, times and report of the Northern Forest Lands achieve the 'vision.’ The draft report places. Study (NFL). contains 24 strategies, grouped into Copies of the summary of the draft This more-than-year-long, four-state, five categories: maintaining large tracts report (15 pages), or of the full draft $250,000 study is being conducted by of private forest land through incen­ report (200 pages), can be obtained by the U. S. Forest Service on behalf of tives; keeping private land open to the writing Stephen C. Harper, Director, the U. S. Congress, in cooperation public; land use controls for planning Northern Forest Lands Study, USDA/ with the Governors’ Task Force (GTF) and conservation; easements and land Forest Service, P.O. Box 520, Rutland, on Northern Forest Lands. I am one of purchases for conservation; and com­ Vermont 05702. three members appointed by Governor bining community improvement with Serving on the Governor’s Task McKernan to the Maine delegation of land conservation. Force has been a sobering experience: the GTF, along with Conservation Among the strategies of particular the threats to the northern forest lands Commissioner Ed Meadows and Maine relevance to the Conservancy’s work is are very real; the job of protecting this Forest Products Council Executive a suggestion that landowners who sell nationally-significant resource will be Director Ted Johnston. easements or fee title to public agencies enormous. The Northern Forest Lands The intent of the NFL study, which or nonprofit conservation groups not Study is an important first step toward was inspired by the recent sale of large be required to pay capital gains taxes. meeting an urgent challenge, but much forest holdings for development pur­ Because much forest land has been remains to be done. poses, is to identify strategies to protect held by current owners for many years the long-term integrity and traditional and has appreciated significantly, this uses of remaining undeveloped lands. would provide an important competi­ Objectives include a sustained flow of tive advantage to land conservation renewable resources, public access for agencies and organizations in buying recreation, protection of fish and wild­ easements and land. life habitat, and the preservation of Other key strategies include signifi­ biological diversity, critical natural cantly increased funding for the pur­ areas, and large undeveloped tracts of chase of easements and full fee interests forest land. on land of particular biological signif­ The first step in the study was to icance. conduct a series of public hearings In addition to suggesting strategies, throughout the four-state, 26-million- the study group outlined several next acre study area to determine the pub­ steps toward their implementation. lic’s 'vision’ for the northern forests. Notable among them from the Conser­ Included in the 'vision’ subsequently vancy’s perspective are suggestions that developed were these two statements: important resources in the study area "Healthy and diverse populations of (including rare and endangered species all native plant and animal species will habitat) be identified and mapped for exist in a variety of ecosystems”; and, potential protection, and that a govern­ "Threatened, endangered and rare ment funding program be developed species will be protected in order to for responding to emergencies when survive and prosper.” large tracts with important resources Overall, the 'vision’ contemplated are suddenly offered for sale. continuation of the working, multiple­ The draft study report will be the use forest, but with significant improve­ subject of public hearings through the ments in certain economic, social and remainder of the year; the final report environmental aspects. will be submitted to Congress early in

December 1989, Maine Legacy—5 Wildlife benefit from data system he Nature Conservancy and the Maine Department of Inland Fish­ Teries and Wildlife (MDIFW) have signed a cooperative agreement to im­ prove access to information about sig­ nificant wildlife habitats. With the agreement, this Department joins three other state agencies and the Conser­ vancy in sharing virtually all informa­ tion about rare and endangered plants and animals, sensitive natural com­ munities, and vital habitats through the Maine Natural Heritage Data Sys­ tem. (See diagram.) Such access will enable all of these agencies, as well as the Conservancy, to cooperate more effectively in protecting significant wild­ Maine Natural Heritage life habitats in Maine. Data System MDIFW has management respon­ sibility for all species of Maine wildlife. also provides all participants with care­ towns have about significant wildlife The department’s ability to manage fully coordinated access to the data in habitats covered by the Natural Re­ and conserve significant wildlife habi­ the system, so information requests sources Protection Act should be di­ tats is enhanced by its taking part in the can be directed to the appropriate rected to regional biologists, Maine Natural Heritage Data System. The agency or individual for a response. Department of Inland Fisheries and system will make it easier for MDIFW As part of the new agreement, the Wildlife, State House Station 41, 284 to provide information for comprehen­ Natural Heritage Program will continue State St., Augusta, ME 04333; tel. sive town plans as required by the to build its information base for rare 289-3286. Requests for other types of recent Growth Management Act. Also, invertebrate species such as butterflies information concerning rare plants or MDIFW will be better able to furnish and dragonflies. These data, as well as sensitive natural communities may be necessary data to the Department of data on endangered vertebrate species directed to the Natural Heritage Pro­ Environmental Protection to regulate provided by the Department of Inland gram, State House Station 130, land use activities in sensitive habitats Fisheries and Wildlife, will be available Augusta, ME 04333, tel. 289-6800. as called for in the Natural Resources to all users of the system. —John Albright Protection Act. And under the Endan­ Any requests that individuals or gered Species Act, MDIFW can use the new information system to determine which areas should be designated as New life members Memorial gifts "Essential Wildlife Habitat,” assuring Gifts in memory of the following them maximum protection under Any gift of $1,000 or more to the Maine law. Maine Chapter Land Preservation Fund individuals have been received by the Maine chapter: Prior to the creation of the Natural provides a life membership for the Heritage Data System, different donor and spouse in The Nature Con­ servancy. All such gifts furnish a long­ Gregory Baker agencies maintained separate data bases Donald C. Carrigan on sensitive species and habitats. In term source of support to help save land here in Maine. Phyllis Gibson many instances, this meant duplication Elijah Reuben Howe of effort, and worse, confusion for We are pleased to welcome Mr. John N. Goodridge as a new life member. Carrie H. Rowe those who needed information for Timothy Scully planning or environmental review. Julia Anna Voss Now, each agency will maintain its Corporate members own data base, but these will be linked An annual gift of $100 or more by using the same data management qualifies a business as a corporate system. Therefore, each individual bit member of the Maine Chapter. We are Foundation support of data will be processed only once, pleased to have received support from but will still be available to all the other the following: We are grateful for the support of participants in the system. The system Voyagers Whitewater the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation.

6—Maine Legacy, December 1989 Chapter Chairperson Receives State Appointment overnor John McKernan has ap­ pointed Sherry F. Huber, Chair­ Gperson of the Board of the Maine Chapter, to the recently created posi­ tion of Executive Director of the Maine Bill McCue Joins Waste Management Agency. Mrs. Huber, who began her new Chapter Staff as Director duties on November 1, will lead the of Development and effort to reduce the amount of trash Governor McKernan and Sherry F. Huber Communications dumped in Maine landfills by 50 per­ cent in five years, in part by establishing fter an extensive (and extended) a network of state waste-disposal areas. search, the Maine Chapter of The With the help of a staff of 16 people ANature Conservancy has hired Williamand a two-year budget of almost $3 A. McCue as Director of Development million, she will be responsible for and Communications. setting standards for solid waste dis­ Bill comes to us from the Portland posal and for guiding Maine towns and Maine Legacy law firm of Drummond, Woodsum, businesses into recycling practices. Published six times yearly by the Maine Chapter Plimpton and MacMahon, where he A resident of Falmouth, Mrs. Huber of The Nature Conservancy, 122 Main Street, has practiced for the past two years. is a former legislator and gubernatorial P.O. Box 338, Topsham, Maine 04086; telephone Previously, he worked in the environ­ candidate with an outstanding record (207) 729-5181. Submissions of articles, illustra­ tions and photographs are welcome. mental department of a national law of leadership in government and non­ Subscriptions to this newsletter are available to firm in Washington, D.C., after earning profit organizations. As a member of members. Membership dues are as follows: Life, a law degree from the Washington the Maine House of Representatives $1,000 (one-time); Acorn, $100; Supporting, $50; Contributing, $35; Family, $25; Subscribing, $15. College of Law of the American Uni­ from 1976 to 1982, she sponsored More than 13,000 members currently support the versity in 1982. several legislative initiatives related to Conservancy’s work in Maine. Born in Portland, Bill grew up in energy resources and conservation. TRUSTEES Yarmouth. He obtained a B.A. in gov­ Mrs. Huber became a trustee of the Officers: Sherry F. Huber, Chair, Falmouth; ernment from Harvard in 1972, sub­ Maine Chapter in 1983 and has served Dr. Peter Corcoran, Vice-chair, South Freeport; sequently served in the Army Reserve, as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Marilyn Moss Rockefeller, Vice-chair, Camden; and moved to Washington, D.C. in since 1987. During that time the Chap­ Donald F. Mairs, Secretary, Belgrade; Charles J. Micoleau, Treasurer, Portland. Trustees: 1975. ter has won many awards, including William W. Alcorn, Biddeford; Michael W. Prior to embarking on his legal The Nature Conservancy’s "Outstand­ Aube, Bangor; William D. Blair, Jr., Vinalhaven; career, Bill managed the Claremont ing State Program of the Year” in 1988 George W. Cochrane III, West Southport; Dr. Malcolm Coulter, East Holden; Minnette H. Hotel, owned by his family, in South­ and the Down East magazine Environ­ Cummings, Portland; Jane Holt de Frees, west Harbor. He currently lives in mental Award in 1989. Under her Rumford; Elizabeth Donnan, Northeast Harbor; South Portland with his wife, Julia, and leadership, the Chapter spearheaded Scott F. Hutchinson, Cumberland Foreside; John Lincoln, South Freeport; Cherie Mason, Sunset; their three children. the "Land for Maine’s Future” $35 Dr. Ray B. Owen, Jr., Orono; Robert J. Bill’s previous fund-raising experi­ million bond issue in 1987. In addition, Piampiano, Portland; Dr. Ralph H. Robins, York; ence has been on a voluntary basis, as a the Chapter has protected twice as Dr. C. Tattersall Smith, South Berwick; Carol A. Wishcamper, Freeport. Charter Honorary member of the Steering Committee of much acreage in the past three years as Trustee: Edward T. Richardson, Jr., South the "Committee of 100” of the Port­ it had in the preceding three decades. Portland. land Museum of Art, and as Chairman Mrs. Huber has served on the Con­ of the Fund-raising Committee of the servancy’s National Board of Gover­ STAFF Board of Trustees of the Victoria nors since 1987 and is currently Vice­ Vice-president and Executive Director, J. Mason Morfit; Associate Director, Kent Wommack; Society. chairperson of that board. She has also Director of Science and Stewardship, Barbara St. To support the fledgling Develop­ lent her leadership talents to many John Vickery; Heritage Program Director, John ment and Communications Depart­ other nonprofit organizations including Albright; Director of Land Protection, Jim Dow; Director of Development, William A. McCue; ment, Joan Acord, acting editor of this the Maine Audubon Society, the Nat­ Assistant to the Executive Director, Deborah Clark; newsletter, has been named Develop­ ural Resoures Council of Maine, Maine- Associate Director of Science and Stewardship, Julie ment Secretary. watch and the Maine Community Henderson; Administrative Assistant, Jeanne Desjardins; Membership Secretary, Barbara Clark; A search is under way for a Com­ Foundation. Secretary Bookkeeper, Cynthia Morrison; munications Coordinator. —]oan Acord Development Secretary, Joan Acord.

December 1989, Maine Legacy—7 Good work Thanks to the following people who contributed their time to the Douglas Mountain work day: Ted Greene, Alan Greene, Kathy Hoglund, David Heath, Debbie Dolan, Margaret Timothy, Keith Neunzig, Teresa Shockley and Lee Bumsteadt.

Santa’s early Brightening our holidays are letters from three more artists willing to do­ nate work to the Maine Chapter. Senja Coombs is a painter who likes to draw; Douglas C. Bane has illustrated a book with the style of drawings we need; B.M. Towl sent a distinctive study of a Douglas Mountain work day deer head. Thanks to all of you; we’ll be in touch. A Gift in Deed natural heritage. As Ms. Van Auken herself put it, "This gift is something of he Maine Chapter is pleased to which my father and brother would announce that a 65-acre parcel of certainly have approved.” Make Your Wish Tland in Harrington, Maine, has been (If you would like more information Your Will donated to The Nature Conservancy about the Trade Land Program, please If your wish is to see natural through its Trade Land Program. This contact Jim Dow at the Chapter office, areas preserved, make it your program offers owners of surplus land 207-729-5181.) will. which does not have unusual ecological Through your will, you can significance an opportunity to make a Thanks protect habitat vital for Maine’s major contribution to the Conser­ rich heritage... and for the enrich­ vancy’s work. Once again, members responded ment and enjoyment of genera­ The donor, Ms. Jane Van Auken, generously to our wish list. Thanks to tions to come. had owned the land for many years. A Elizabeth Peterson who donated a Your will can be a wish come long-time member of the Conservancy, 35mm Canon GUI QL camera for our true. To explore in confidence a she had initially approached the Maine use. And thanks equally to Jon Hen­ bequest to The Nature Conser­ Chapter about our interest in the land derson who sent us a 35 mm Pentax vancy, or to receive sample be­ as a preserve. An on-site evaluation of camera and telephoto lens. quest language for review by you the land revealed that it did not provide We are grateful also to Olcott Gates and your attorney, please contact habitat for any rare plant or animal for the donation of a Keuffel and Esser Bill McCue at the Maine Chapter species, nor any exceptional natural com­ planimeter. office, 207-729-5181. munity or other outstanding natural feature; it was thus not appropriate for a Conservancy preserve. Recently Ms. Van Auken decided that she would Non-profit Org. like to make a gift of the land anyway, U.S. Postage Maine Chapter PAID as a trade land. The proceeds from the The Nature Conservancy eventual sale of this property will be The Nature Conservancy Maine Chapter used to protect other natural areas of P.O. Box 338, Topsham, ME 04086 greater ecological importance. Ms. Van Auken made this important and generous gift in the memory of her father, Freeman Tilden, and her broth­ er, Paul Mason Tilden, both of whom were active, through their writings and their association with our national Sta »6* park system, in the promotion of public Sta fl it 01333 awareness and appreciation of our Augusta Kt-

8—Maine Legacy, December 1989