September 2014
 

                                                                   JOIN US!  

 

Wrapping Up Another Successful Year   

 

September 30th will mark the completion of the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust's fiscal year. By all measures, 2013-2014 has been a very successful year. Our coming year - our 30th - promises to be full of new challenges and opportunities. We're hard at work now trying to line up our next land protection projects while maintaining and managing the 29 properties we have already protected.

 

Your support provides CELT the ability to work with and negotiate with local landowners, to deliver top-notch educational programs for our community, and to provide stewardship to the 650+ acres we have preserved.

 

If you would like to contribute to our efforts or renew your support for our organization, you can do so here.  We THANK YOU, and our future generations will thank you, for your support.

Robinson Woods II Trail Work Begins


bridge At long last CELT is ready to undertake our planned trail improvements and installations at Robinson Woods II in coordination with the Town of Cape Elizabeth's Conservation Commission. During the Maine Great Outdoor Weekend September 27th and 28th, we'll be hosting four opportunities for you to come out and help us renovate a portion of Cape's Cross-Town Trail! These work sessions will be held rain or shine, and tools, gloves, supervision, snacks and beverages will be provided. (Here is the Robinson Woods trails map.) 

 

Saturday September 27th:  Meet at the Methodist Church parking lot off Route 77.  

   9 a.m. - Noon: Crews will be carrying in 11 pre-built bridge sections to our water crossing while others work on clearing the landing areas and roughing out a trail to the bridge.

    1 - 4 p.m.:  The afternoon crew will be finishing assembly of the bridge and finalizing the South Side trail connection to the bridge.

 

Sunday September 28th:  Meet at the Robinson Woods parking lot off Shore Rd. (in the a.m.) and at the Methodist Church lot (p.m.).   

owl in robinson woods

    9 a.m. - Noon: Work will consist of trail improvements to the North  Side Trail and approach to the  bridge.

1 - 4 p.m.:

Meet at the Methodist Church lot and volunteers will work on our Canter Lane Trail connection. 

 

If you're able to join us please let us know so we can coordinate with our team leaders.  Thank you in advance for helping us to create some new trails that are sure to be popular additions to our existing network!  

Board Profile - Ted Darling

  

During his nine-plus years as a volunteer board member with the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, Ted Darling has contributed in many capacities. He served as President for five very active years (2007-2012), has been our Development Chair and Stewardship co-Chair, and has almost single-handedly steered our highly successful Tri for Preservation, which has raised close to $150,000 for land conservation in Cape Elizabeth. While he currently sits on the Executive Committee and also volunteers as CELT's Treasurer, Ted is nearing the end of his three, three-year board terms this fall. To mark the occasion, we asked Ted to reflect on his work with CELT.

 

"Securing Robinson Woods II was a driving goal during my presidency. I also provided input to the town's Comprehensive Plan and was involved in securing an easement on Jordan property along Great Pond. As part of CELT's 20th anniversary celebration, several of us established the CELT Challenge Triathlon and Harvest Festival. My wife Alison was deeply involved with the festival, which had an excellent five-year run. We ran the tri for six years, then moved it to Crescent Beach in 2011 and renamed it the Tri for Preservation."

 

Ted is a triathlete himself. "I love riding my bike and running throughout Cape Elizabeth. And while I didn't support the Shore Rd. path, I do enjoy running from my home on McAuley Rd. through the Oakhurst area and up Shore Rd. via the path to town center and home. I also love swimming in the early morning with friends along Crescent Beach during the summer."

 

Ted first became involved with CELT when long-time friend Suzanne McGinn invited him to participate on the marketing committee. (Ted's a partner at Ethos Marketing, a multi-platform branding agency, where he serves as Director of Account Services and as a Marketing Strategist.) At the time, a proposal had surfaced to develop the Spurwink Woods behind his home. "The project heightened my awareness that cherished natural areas in Cape were vulnerable to development."

 

Looking toward the future, Ted feels CELT is, "in excellent financial condition with a very strong board of directors and staff. We've applied for Land Trust Accreditation with a likely decision in March 2015. The organization needs the ongoing support of its members and the townspeople of Cape Elizabeth. Its mission is vital to maintaining the character of Cape Elizabeth as we've come to know and love it."

From Our Executive Director  

 

Fall is Officially in the Air  

 

Brisk mornings seem to be the norm as we slip into our fall weather pattern and begin the process of boxing away our summer toys. Shorter days seem to make each daylight hour a bit more precious and each sunny day seems to be one last gift. While not quite the season of thanksgiving, this is a special time of year where we harvest the proverbial, and actual fruits of our labor.

 

With the close of CELT's fiscal year on September 30th we're feeling especially grateful for the generous support of our community. The founding of this organization 30 years ago sowed the seeds  of a new, and more intentional relationship toward local lands. As an organization and as a community we have grown the idea of protecting local lands into an integral part of what it means to fully live in Cape Elizabeth. (Listen to my recent interview with David Unger, broadcast on radio Join Us station WMPG.)

 

As a mentor of mine once penned, "We seek a future by design, not by default."  Truer words have rarely been spoken -- other than perhaps his line, "Politicians are too often weather vanes in a world in desperate need of a compass."  That topic, however, we shall save for November.

 

All my best,

 
Chris Franklin
Executive Director
 
Cape Elizabeth Land Trust
 

SAVE THE DATE:  November 2 - Annual Meeting at the Purpoodock Club, 5 - 7 p.m. More details to follow; please plan to join us. 

Upcoming Events 

 

Little Explorers Woods Walk

(Ages 3-5 yrs. with Adult)

 

Wednesday, September 24

9 - 10 a.m.

 

Children and caregivers will explore the natural wonders of the woods with Lisa Gent. We'll take a gentle hike through Robinson Woods and search for birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and plant life. Hands on explorations and games included!

 

Cost: $10 per person; 

Canning
 
Let's Jam!

Friday, September 26  
 8:45 - 11:15 a.m. 

 

Learn the basics of making berry jam with Master Food Preserver Anne Carney. Materials are provided and participants will take home the jam we make.

Location: Community Services kitchen;

cost $20/person; register here.

egret
 
Cross-Town Walk

Saturday, October 4 
 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

 

Join CELT Executive Director Chris Franklin for our annual Fall Cross- Town Walk. Beginning at Portland Head Light, we'll traverse seven miles of trails highlighting Cape's great places, enjoying a unique overview of our diverse ecosystems including Spurwink Marsh, Robinson Woods and Great Pond. The walk takes approximately three and a half hours and includes a picnic lunch at Kettle Cove; $10/person; limited to 18 participants;  register here.  

 


CELT Annual Meeting


Sunday, November 2 
 5 - 7 p.m. 

 

At the Purpoodock Club.  We'll fill you in on more details soon, but please save the date and plan to join us for our annual gathering. 


Cape Elizabeth Land Trust | 330 Ocean House Road | Cape Elizabeth | ME | 04107