| |
Photos from Wescustogo Paddle, Trail Crew at Intervale Preserve, and World Fish Migration Day | | |
Greetings!
Thank goodness for the long days because we are BUSY!
Just in the past month, RRCT:
- Celebrated World Fish Migration Day at Sparhawk Mill alongside hundreds of friends, neighbors, and river enthusiasts.
-
Enjoyed live music at Riverfest on Main Street in Yarmouth while sipping Brickyard Hollow's UPSTREAM beer, benefitting dam removal efforts.
- Led an 8-mile, 20-boat paddle from Wescustogo Park to Yarmouth (then went and danced at the aforementioned Riverfest).
- Welcomed Lanna, our 10-week Summer Intern.
- Prepared a new budget for our fiscal year, now beginning July 1.
- Begun renewing our strategic plan with the help of a consultant to guide RRCT's next chapter.
- Dabbled around a bit more on a sunrise birding paddle on Chandler Brook.
-
Launched a bid process for three major trail improvement projects at Intervale Preserve in New Gloucester.
- Sent Hanae, our now even more capable Stewardship Director, on a hands-on, multi-day AMC Trail Skills workshop in the White Mountains.
-
Installed new signage, cleared blowdowns, pruned trails, and removed invasive plants at Elmwood Trails, Thayer Brook Preserve, River Elf Trail, and Intervale Preserve with Trail Crew.
And that's all in addition to our everyday work - meeting with landowners, developing property management plans, maintaining trails, paying bills, and writing thank you notes to all of you who make this work possible.
All of these efforts are a celebration of our collective work to make our local environment more accessible, better understood, and appreciated, and most importantly, to be enjoyed!
Have fun out there!
The Board and Staff of RRCT
PS… we even spent a few hours looking for an escaped peacock!
| | |
Royal River Conservation Trust welcomes your participation! Please share this email with
family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors and encourage them to subscribe to our
newsletter, visit RRCT.org, e-mail us at Info@RRCT.org, call us at 207-847-9399, or visit
us at 52 North Road in Yarmouth.
| | | | |
Paddlers on the Royal River | | |
What a day on the Royal River! Nearly 40 paddlers joined us on Saturday, June 6th, for our annual Wescustogo Paddle - an 8‑mile journey from Wescustogo Park to the Yarmouth Historical Society.
We traveled through stretches of conserved riverbank offering beautiful, serene views, with a quick stop at the Route 9 boat launch along the way. A bald eagle sighting near Riverfront Woods Preserve reminded us why this stretch of river is such a treasure.
Thanks to everyone who joined us on the water!
If you’d like to stay in the loop about paddling opportunities throughout the Royal River watershed, sign up for our new paddler email group below.
| | | | |
|
Welcome, Lanna!
We’re thrilled to welcome Lanna Antebi‑Igei as our summer intern!
Matched with RRCT through Maine Coast Heritage Trust's Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation Internship Program, Lanna brings a passion for stewardship, accessibility, and river conservation to the Royal River Watershed.
Previously, Lanna was a part of a Conservation Corps in Plumas County, California, and has worked as a canoe guide in the Minnesota Boundary Waters and Canadian Quetico. Lanna is double-majoring in Geology and Creative Writing at Colby College and hopes to pursue Geomorphology in the future.
In their free time, Lanna can be found competing on their college’s Woodsmen team, navigating rapids from the stern, fishing, painting, and swimming in whatever body of water is most accessible.
| | | | |
Intervale Preserve's Warbler Trail that will be upgraded to a Universal Access trail | | |
Open Request for Proposals (RFP)
RRCT is gearing up for major trail improvements at Intervale Preserve in New Gloucester and is inviting qualified contractors and trail‑building organizations to submit proposals.
The project includes rehabilitating 0.46 miles of the Interurban Multi‑Use Trail, improving the 105‑foot Route 231 Water Access Trail to the Royal River, and upgrading the 0.5‑mile Warbler Trail and parking area to Universal Access standards.
Proposals are due by July 10, 2026, at 5:00 pm and must be submitted via email to Stewardship Director Hanae Garrison at hanae@rrct.org.
This project is funded by a Maine Trails Program (MTP) grant administered by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. All procurement must follow MTP requirements.
| | | | |
|
WANTED: George the Peacock
Last seen at Thayer Brook Preserve living his best life.
Since making a daring escape from Maine Wildlife Park in Gray on May 19, George has been spotted exploring the trails, taking in the scenery, and broadening his culinary horizons.
While we admire his commitment to adventure, it’s time for George to head home.
If you spot this feathered fugitive, please call or text (207) 215-7394 or email mainewildlifepark@maine.gov.
Please do not attempt to apprehend the suspect yourself. Leave the recovery efforts to the professionals.
| | | | |
|
Coming Soon: Photo Contest
Back by popular demand, our annual Photo Contest returns this summer! Start snapping photos now and keep an eye out for the official entry announcement coming in mid-July.
We'll be looking for photo submissions that highlight the scenic vistas, waterways, flora & fauna, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the watershed.
Submission Categories:
- Landscape
- Wildlife (Flora & Fauna)
- Recreation
Below are the 2025 Photo Contest winners for inspiration:
| | Wildlife - Geoffrey Vickers, “Duck in the Early Morning” | | Landscape - Bishnu Das, “Autumn Reflection” | | Recreation - Kyle Glover, “Royal River Skate” | | | | |
Eastern Kingbird, photo curtesy of Stacey Cramp. | |
Make a gift today to protect and steward over 6,100 acres of conserved fields, forests, farmland, trails, and wetlands throughout the Royal River watershed! | | | | |
|
Get Out! Nature Walk:
Shorebirds and Coastal Habitats
Wednesday, June 24th
2:00 - 3:30 pm
Led by Maine Master Naturalist:
Karen Massey
Littlejohn Island Preserve,
Very end of Pemasong Ln, Yarmouth
Walk around this shady 1-mile loop trail as we explore the quiet 23-acre Littlejohn Island Preserve. We'll walk through towering red oak trees and take in breathtaking oceanfront views of Casco Bay, observing the natural history and beauty that abound. We'll pause to observe and identify the wide varieties of ferns and understory plants. Bring binoculars if you have them, as we are likely to see many ducks and maybe an eagle or an osprey!
This family-friendly walk is free and open to all, hosted in collaboration with Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust.
| |
Trail Crew -
Knotweed Removal at River Elf
Wednesday, June 24th
9:00 - 11:00 am
Join us at the River Elf property in New Gloucester to remove invasive Japanese knotweed along the banks of the Royal River.
| |
Save the Date: Community Picnic
Sunday, August 2nd
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Join us for a community picnic and potluck at Intervale Preserve Lower Village in New Gloucester!
There will be live music, grilled hot dogs & burgers, ice cream, and great vibes! Feel free to bring a dish to share. More details to come.
| |
Save the Date:
Annual Meeting
RRCT's 2026 Annual Meeting will be on Tuesday, September 15th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Cunningham Farm in New Gloucester.
While you are not required to be a current donor to attend, current members will have the opportunity to approve our new Board Members and officers.
This evening is designed to allow you to engage in conversation with RRCT about our ongoing efforts to restore and protect the Royal River Watershed.
| | | | |
THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS | | |
Atlantic Sportswear | Flycatcher
Freeport Wild Bird Supply | Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day
Real Maine | Simmons Investment Advisors
Yarmouth Payroll Plus | Yarmouth Water District
| | | | |
Royal River Conservation Trust serves as a catalyst for land conservation in the watershed. We engage landowners, government officials, community members, businesses, local, regional, and state non-profits, and others to protect, steward, and restore the diverse and unique natural ecosystems of the Royal River watershed for current and future generations. | | | Royal River Conservation Trust | 52 North Road | Yarmouth, ME 04096 US | | | | |
