RRCT October Newsletter

October 9, 2025

Join us next Friday, October 17th, at 2 pm for Royal River Conservation Trust's third annual ‘Round the Marsh hike at Thayer Brook Preserve in Gray!

Our 3.4-mile guided trek around the beaver marsh will be led by Trail Steward and long-serving volunteer Steve McPike, whose thorough knowledge of the preserve and adjacent Libby Hill Forest trail network will add significant depth and texture to the hike. Plan for a three-hour visit to one of Cumberland County's most remote and intriguing places.

Along the way, we’ll enjoy spectacular views of the marsh, check out the beaver dams, beaver lodge, and an old mill site that the new Far Side Trail passes through. Come learn about the preserve’s wildlife habitats, local ecology, and conservation history, all while taking in the beauty of the fall foliage!

Celebrate the Royal Photo Contest Winners!

Over the summer, RRCT received a stream of fabulous photos taken throughout the watershed — each one a reminder of the many ways conservated land enriches our daily lives.

Choosing winners wasn’t easy, but we’re thrilled to share the top entries:

Wildlife - Geoffrey Vickers, “Duck in the Early Morning”

Landscape - Bishnu Das, “Autumn Reflection”

Recreation - Kyle Glover, “Royal River Skate”

Thank you to everyone who submitted entries, we look forward to sharing more of these incredible photos throughout the year!

2025 Annual Meeting Recap

What a spectacular evening at Cunningham Farm in New Gloucester!

On September 16th, RRCT members from throughout the watershed gathered to vote in new board members Jeanee Dudley and John Shipp and endorse the appointment of Beth Sturtevant as RRCT’s new Board President. Outgoing Board President Rob Greenleaf will remain on RRCT’s board and chair the organization’s new Governance Committee.

Our potluck approach proved to be a success, with a great variety of local offerings. The theme for the night centered around RRCT’s role as a catalyst for conservation. By partnering with local conservation commissions, open space committees, state wildlife experts, neighboring land trusts, and numerous other partners, we are advancing conservation initiatives throughout the watershed.

Incoming Board President Beth Sturtevant, outgoing Board President Rob Greenleaf and Executive Director Chris Franklin

Photographs courtesy of Kaitlin Spear

Furry Friend, curtesy of Doug Lussier

Make a gift today to protect and steward over 6,000 acres of conserved fields, forests, farmland, trails, and wetlands throughout the Royal River watershed!

MAKE A GIFT

Did you know?

The Wabanaki name for the first waterfall on the Wescustogo (Royal River), is known as Pumgustuck. This waterfall gained federal recognition in November 2024.

It's Hunting Season

As hunting season begins, please remember to wear blaze orange for safety and visibility - don't forget to outfit your dogs, too!

Hunting is allowed on most Royal River Conservation Trust (RRCT) properties, as well as on many town-owned parks.

New this year: RRCT now asks all hunters to register annually before hunting on RRCT properties using our new online registration form. This allows us to responsibly manage our lands, monitor hunting activity, and stay connected with hunters.

If you have any questions, please email Steward@RRCT.org.

Learn more about RRCT's hunting guidelines at the link below:

RRCT HUNTING INFO

EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Trail Crew -

Village Center Trail

Wednesday, October 15th, 9:00 - 11:00 am

Join Trail Crew and the North Yarmouth Parks Committee to spread woodchips along the Village Center Trail that connects to Knight's Pond Preserve!

Learn More

Get Out! Nature Walk: Mushrooms

Wednesday, October 22nd,

2:00 - 3:30 pm

Join RRCT and Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust at Knight's Pond Preserve to explore the magical world of fungi!

Learn More

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

BECOME A BUSINESS PARTNER

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.

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 | 207-847-9399 | Info@RRCT.org | RRCT.org