Fall, 2023

NEWSLETTER

Blue Hill Heritage Trust staff members Chrissy Allen, George Fields, Beth Dickens and Sandy Walczyk traveled to Portland Oregon earlier this month to attend the National Land Trust Alliance Rally. This annual multi-day conference brings together thousands of conservationists from around the country to network and attend workshops and professional development sessions. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn what other land trusts are succeeding at, what challenges they are facing, and to learn from one another in this field.

Chrissy presented at two of these sessions on BHHT's work with accessibility. As a member of the Land Trust Alliance's Advisory Council on Inclusive Health and Disabilities, Chrissy has enjoyed working with this diverse group on this important issue. BHHT is proud to be a leader at the state and national level on accessibility as a critical and often forgotten part of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work.

In June, Blue Hill Heritage Trust acquired a 30 acre in-holding (privately owned land inside the boundary of a protected area, in this case within our Meadowbrook Forest), thanks to Eric Treworgy of Surry. This addition brings Meadowbrook Forest's total size to 2,141.72 acres and further extends our wetland protection of Meadow Brook Stream. We are extremely grateful to Eric for the opportunity to conserve this family land in perpetuity.

In August, the Smith Family siblings, Jenni Casale, Christianna Farinelli, and Gregory Smith, donated a conservation easement of 53.3 acres on family land with ~820 feet of frontage on Morgan Bay. The parcel is primarily a spruce-fir forest that has seen some small-scale timber harvesting in the past. A parking area will be developed in 2024 and a small connector trail established to take advantage of the current trail system on the parcel. Stay tuned for future updates!

Blue Hill Heritage Trust is in the process of purchasing the 7.6 acre Bridges property in Penobscot (known locally as the place with all the eagles). This property is so important for not just the health of the watershed, which flows off of Wallamatogus Mountain into the Bagaduce River, but also for the wildlife that rely on it as a critical habitat and feeding ground. We are honored to accept the stewardship torch for this property from the Bridges family, who have cared for it for multiple generations.

We are nearing our closing date on the property and are actively working to raise the remaining funds. We need the community's help to close the funding gap on this exciting project.

Read More About The Bridges Property→

** Please make your donation in honor of "Bridges" **

This summer we heard from several people looking for BHHT merchandise in colors, styles or sizes that were out of stock... Who knew that the baby blue ball caps we carried 4 years ago had such a following? Many thanks to Maine Camp Outfitters for helping us restock supplies.

In addition to the styles featured below, we also have a variety of owl, alewife, and frog tees available too. Email, call, or stop by our office for more information or to make a purchase. Not local? We will mail out purchases for an additional shipping fee (using USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping.)

Blue Hill Mountain graphic tees and long sleeves.

*Short sleeves available, unisex (sizes S-2XL) and women's cuts (sizes M-2XL), in "storm". $25

*Long sleeves (NEW), available in unisex sizes S-2XL, in "indigo". $35

Fleece Hoodies, pullovers (because you've been asking) in heather-navy. Available in sizes S-2XL.

$50

Canvas Hats, available in forest green, royal blue, baby blue, red and raspberry.

$20

*Styles, sizes & colors are available while supplies last.