Land Conservation Groups Celebrate Completion of Campaign to Protect 1,500 Additional Acres in Southern York County
May 7, 2020
A coalition of land conservation groups in southern York County has achieved its ambitious goal of protecting 1,500 more acres of open space since 2014, within a focus area that spans six towns centered around Mt. Agamenticus and is the state’s most biologically diverse region.
The Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative (MtA2C) completed this most recent campaign through a series of 34 projects, a rate that equates to roughly one completed project every two months.
“This type of achievement doesn’t just happen,” says Doreen MacGillis, executive director of York Land Trust, a MtA2C partner. “This was a tremendous effort by local, state, and federal groups working together with towns to make this possible. It shows that when we work together as a community, we can accomplish so much.”
Newly Protected Parcel Connects York Land Trust Headquarters to Smelt Brook Preserve
JUNE 28, 2018
York Land Trust recently purchased 7 acres next door to its headquarters on Long Neck Marsh Road, linking its headquarters to its 300-acre Smelt Brook Preserve. The new parcel includes a meadow, woods, salt marsh, and frontage on Smelt Brook, a major tributary of the York River.
York Land Trust’s new Near Point Trail meanders through this parcel and adjacent land offering visitors an easy walk through a variety of habitats with gorgeous views. Parking for the public is available at the headquarters. A kiosk at the edge of the parking lot marks the start of the trail.
Vernal Pool Conservation Ramps Up in Southern York County
JUNE 18, 2018
A coalition of land trusts in southern York County will ramp up efforts to locate and conserve vulnerable wetland habitats over the next year, thanks to funding from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.
Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative (MtA2C) partners — including York, Kittery, and Great Works Regional Land Trusts — along with the Wells Reserve and UMaine, Orono, received funding to map and monitor vernal pools in the MtA2C region, spanning from the Tatnic Hills in South Berwick to the rocky coast of Kittery.
Full Weekend of Guided Hikes From Mt. Agamenticus to Shores of Kittery to Celebrate 15th Anniversary of MtA2C
SEPTEMBER 28, 2017
Hit the trails over Columbus Day Weekend with the Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative (MtA2C) in a series of three guided Mountain to Sea hikes spanning from the top of Mt. Agamenticus in York to the majestic salt marshes of Kittery’s coast.
The hikes, occurring over three days, will be led by York Land Trust, Great Works Regional Land Trust and Kittery Land Trust, respectively. Together, the series celebrates the 15th anniversary of MtA2C’s efforts to connect protected land in southern York County centered on Mt. Agamenticus and stretching from the Tatnic Hills in South Berwick to the rocky coast in Kittery. Since 2002, the ten partner organizations of MtA2C have conserved thousands of acres of land and have made great progress in their mission to form a landscape-wide mosaic of unfragmented protected lands.
Kennebunk Savings Bank Supports Community Land Conservation with a $50,000 Gift
A family of four hiking on the summit of Mount Agamenticus in York, Maine.
JUNE 29, 2017
KENNEBUNK — Kennebunk Savings has awarded the Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative (MtA2C) $50,000 to support land conservation in southernmost York County and environmental programming for people of all ages.
MtA2C is a collaborative effort of 10 partner groups working to conserve land centered on Mt. Agamenticus in York, stretching from the Tatnic Hills in South Berwick to the rocky coast in Kittery. MtA2C has a long-term goal of connecting 19,000 acres of conserved land in the region and has made significant progress since launching in 2002 — the region already boasts 13,500 acres of open space. MtA2C partners are also engaging with local community groups to ensure that the conserved lands serve the community in a range of ways including school programs, guided hikes and farming.
Eliot Ballot Question Could Protect 80 Acres on Goodwin Farm
June 1, 2017
ELIOT—Eliot voters have the opportunity to permanently protect 80 acres of open space on Eliot’s Goodwin Farm during the upcoming June 13th town election.
Question 23 on the ballot asks Eliot residents if they support appropriating $40,000 from the Eliot Land Bank Reserve to help preserve forested land on Goodwin Farm, which will be managed by Great Works Regional Land Trust (GWRLT). The funds will help GWRLT complete the property acquisition and will also go towards creating a parking area and expanding and improving public walking trails on the property. GWRLT plans to preserve an additional 30 acres of the property for active farming, and will contribute $210,000 to complete the entire 110-acre transaction.
Tributary Brewing Co. Celebrates Kittery Land Trust With New Beer Made From Local Seawater
View from Brave Boat Headwaters Preserve. Credit: Kittery Land Trust
March 1, 2017
KITTERY—Two hallmarks of southern Maine—stunning coastal preserves and tasty local beer— join together next week as Tributary Brewing Co. sponsors a fundraiser for Kittery Land Trust (KLT) with the release of their new Gose (pronounced Go-za) beer.
The Gose is an ancient German-style beer that uses seawater as an ingredient to create a distinct, tangy flavor. Tributary Brewing collected 40 gallons of saltwater from Brave Boat Harbor in Kittery earlier this winter, boiled it down to sterilize it, and brewed 15 barrels of this unique beer ready to serve for next week’s release party on Thursday, March 9th. The party is open to the public and, for every 12 oz pour of the Gose served, KLT will receive $1. This should amount to roughly $1,500 over the next several months, says Galen Mott who owns Tributary with her husband Tod.
Kittery Trading Post Rounds Up Support for Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative Through Fundraiser
January 25, 2017
MtA2C Coordinator Karen Young accepts the donation from Natalie Barrett of Kittery Trading Post
KITTERY—The Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative (MtA2C) has received a donation of $3,130 this week, thanks to the generous fundraising efforts of Kittery Trading Post and their patrons. The funds will support MtA2C’s outreach efforts to engage community members and help them get outside to explore their local conservation lands.
The donation comes from KTP’s Round Up For Conservation Program. Through this program, patrons can choose to round up their purchase at check-out to the nearest dollar amount. Funds accrued from these transactions are then distributed to a group of roughly 20 conservation-focused organizations over the course of the year…
Photo Contest Winners Capture Beauty of York County
December 7, 2016
Fog rolling in on top of Mt. A, winner of the Wildscapes Award. Credit: Chuck Maranhas
YORK COUNTY — From expansive coastal beaches to scenic rocky mountaintops, the MtA2C region is nothing short of photogenic. Thanks to participants of the 2016 MtA2C Through Your Eyes Photography Contest, dozens of beautifully candid scenes from the region have been captured for the public to enjoy. MtA2C will use the images in materials to help spread awareness of its mission to connect and protect land in southern York County.
The photo contest ran from July through Oct. 15th, and winners were announced during the second week in November. Participants submitted dozens of photographs to the contest, which included three award categories: People on the Land, Wildscapes, and People’s Choice Award. MtA2C’s Facebook community voted on the People’s Choice Award winner, while a panel of judges selected the other two winners…