· INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION · FOUR PROJECTS CROWN MTA2C’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY · MEMBER SURVEY Spring 2013 · YLT WELCOMES ELENA SARNI · ANNOUNCING THE YLT LEGACY SOCIETY · THANKING 2012 SUPPORTERS The York Land Trust Newsletter LANDMARKSLANDMARKS York River’s Ribbon of Green Extended s part of the Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation It has often been said that the York River is the lifeblood of York. AInitiative, on May 1, 2013, York Land Trust completed The River contributes to local, regional and statewide economic the purchase of a 15-acre parcel (shown in red on the map on prosperity by supporting the commercial fishing, real estate, pg. 3) on the southern shoreline of Roger’s Brook in York. This hospitality, tourism and recreation industries. To the residents new acquisition extends the York River’s protective “Ribbon of York, the River evokes a strong sense of place and contributes of Green” to 359 acres of conservation land. Funding for this greatly to the community’s quality of life. And, for the vast project was generously provided by the MARPAT Foundation numbers of bird and wildlife species that migrate through the and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, two long-time funders of area and live here year-round, a healthy York River is vital to York River protection efforts. their survival. continued on page 3... INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION ay is Membership I have also recruited my MMonth at York Land sons to volunteer their Trust (YLT). As President of time to help with York the Trust, as well as devoted Land Trust’s ongoing father and grandfather, I am land management The York Land Trust is a member- keenly aware of the lasting responsibilities and they do supported, nonprofit organization benefits that the Trust’s so happily. dedicated to conserving and protecting lands of ecological, work holds for my children historic, scenic, agricultural and and theirs. My grandchildren also cultural significance in the greater enjoy being outdoors with PRESIDEnt’s MESSAGE York, Maine area, for the benefit of all. My wife Sandi and I have me, whether we’re hiking lived in York for thirty- on conservation land or BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Michniewicz, President seven years and raised our four children here. attending a nature program. We are creating Hillary Clark, Vice President We have also traveled extensively, throughout lasting memories together while also fostering Lawrence Graves, Treasurer the United States by RV and cannot imagine a deep appreciation for nature. Chelsey Remington, Secretary living elsewhere. Three of our four children Karen Arsenault have chosen to live nearby in southern Maine There is no predicting how strong a role our Robert Brisebois in part, we know, because they too love being children and grandchildren will play as future Jared Chase surrounded by nature. conservationists, but I am encouraged by Stuart Dawson Gary Goss their investments of time and demonstrations Susan Heckaman To inspire this next generation of of love for nature and community. And, Dawn Hill conservationists, I have often invited my hopefully, they’ll see renewing their Richard Leigh children to participate in the Trust’s annual Memberships in York Land Trust as the Jeffrey McConnell Bobbie McGann activities, and this year gave them gift natural next step. James Bruce O’Neil memberships to the Trust with the hope that Ala Reid they will renew their support on their own Warren Taylor Helen Winebaum going forward. - David Michniewicz Peter Yauch STAFF Doreen MacGillis YLT welcomes Elena Sarni as Administrative and Executive Director Development Assistant Nancy Grace Lowenberg Development and n March 4, 2013, Elena Sarni took over the role of York Land Trust’s Communications Director Administrative and Development Assistant from Elaine Manning who, Joe Anderson afterO six dedicated years in the position, began her retirement at the end Stewardship Director of 2012. Elena will oversee the Trust’s donation management system and Elena Sarni provide clerical and community outreach support. Administrative Assistant In addition to 14 years of experience working with museums and non-profit THE YORK LAND TRUST organizations, Elena is a published author and accomplished researcher and PO Box 1241 public speaker on a broad range of art and cultural history topics. Before York Harbor, ME 03911 coming to York Land Trust, she served as the Gallery Manager at York Art Telephone: 207-363-7400 Fax: 207-363-7477 Association, where she oversaw the daily operations of the gallery, assisted the Board of Directors and E-mail: [email protected] provided outreach to members. For more information, please visit Elena holds a B.A. in English with a minor in American Studies from the University of New Hampshire our website: www.yorklandtrust.org (UNH) and a Master’s of Art in Museum Studies from UNH. As of the writing of this article, Elena became a proud new aunt to a niece, and she enjoys vacationing with family on a small island in Midcoast Maine. She lives with her husband in North Berwick. two RIBBON OF GREENCONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE... Though the York River is currently healthy, it is also listed as a Priority Coastal Watershed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. This is a designation given for watersheds at greatest risk for degradation from non-point source pollution and loss of riparian The Mount Agamenticus to the buffers related to development. Sea Conservation Initiative (MtA2C) is an effort led by a coalition of ten national, regional and local According to Executive Director Doreen partners representing federal and MacGillis, waterfront land, especially with governmental agencies, statewide land the scenic beauty of the York River, is highly protection organizations and three Roger’s Brook sought after in good economic times and in bad, local land trusts to protect a network leaving it very vulnerable. “Currently, a 9-lot of connected conservation lands and The Maine Natural Areas Program lists the subdivision is being built in a very sensitive area natural resources within a 48,000-acre York River as having statewide ecological along the River”, said MacGillis. “This purchase focus area in Southern Maine for the significance. Research conducted by the Wells brings YLT one step closer to meeting the urgent benefit of people and wildlife. National Estuarine Research Reserve found need to complete protection for the upper MtA2C’s vision is a future that sustains twenty-nine species of fish in the York River, reaches of the York River before more critical livable and economically vibrant or one half of the estuarine species found in lands are lost.” communities where: the Gulf of Maine. The River is also recognized Every child has access to open nationally for supporting over 100 species of spaces and wild places; shorebirds and songbirds. Food and forest products are locally and sustainably produced; Clean water in our reservoirs, rivers, A Flurry of Conservation Projects Crowned the MtA2C and streams flows into our estuaries and along our beaches; Coalition’s 10th Anniversary Year our projects comprising over 200 acres of conserved two additional parcels. Forty acres Wetlands and intact blocks of forest newly conserved land that protect critical of wetland wildlife habitat were conserved at support viable populations of native F wildlife habitat, drinking water quality, outdoor Cox’s Pond located in Mt. A.’s South Berwick plant and animal species; education, public recreation and cultural area, and the final project comprises 37 acres Year round outdoor recreational heritage capped the 10th anniversary of the Mt. of upland and high-value wetlands on the opportunities are a short drive, bike Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative Ogunquit River. Funding for the Ogunquit ride, or walk away; and (MtA2C). River project will also cover a restoration effort Resilient infrastructure and to reconnect two wetlands on the property with ecosystems adapt to changing Two of the four projects completed at the end of the Ogunquit River. This effort will enhance environmental conditions. 2012 were located in York including the 120- safe, road crossings for amphibians, reptiles and The MtA2C Partners include: the US acre addition of mature forest to the York Land small mammals including Maine’s endangered Fish and Wildlife Service/Rachel Carson Trust’s McIntire Highlands Preserve (which Blanding’s and threatened spotted turtles. National Wildlife Refuge, the Maine appeared in the 2012 Fall Issue of Landmarks). Department of Inland Fisheries and The second project is a 19-acre conveyance of Since 2002, MtA2C has completed 55 Wildlife, Wells National Estuarine key wildlife habitat from the Town of York to projects adding over 3,110 acres of protected Research Reserve, Maine Coast the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and natural resources and cultural heritage to a Heritage Trust, Trust for Public Land, Wildlife that adjoins other conserved lands in conservation area that today totals 13,144 acres The Nature Conservancy, Great Works Mt. A.’s Third Hill region. within Kittery, Eliot, York, South Berwick, Regional Land Trust, Kittery Land Trust, York Land Trust and the York Rivers Wells and Ogunquit. MtA2C has set a goal to MtA2C Partner Great Works Regional Land protect 6,000 more acres in the MtA2C region Association. For more information, Trust (GWRLT), with significant funding please visit www.mta2c.org. over the next two decades. support provided by the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program* (MNRCP), *The Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program (MNRCP) is a grant program administered by The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that helps restore, enhance and preserve wetlands and other important habitats throughout the state. three Thank You For Supporting York Land Trust in 2012! Landmark Giving Circle Donors ($500 or more) appear in bold typeface, * deceased.