Maxwell Farm – Dyer Field

FOR THE FUTURE OF FARMING IN CAPE ELIZABETH

The Forever Cape Campaign was successfully completed in December 2020, having raised $7.5 million for conservation and stewardship in Cape Elizabeth from more than 950 donors. Read the final report for more details.

CELT is partnering with Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) and landowners Nate and Kathy Maxwell to permanently protect 76 acres of beautiful working farmland in Cape Elizabeth. Located between Spurwink Avenue and Sawyer Road, this family-owned property has been a working farm contributing to the local food economy for generations.

Maxwell Farm-Dyer Field is the “icing on the cake” of a three year comprehensive campaign. Funds raised will secure the full value of a farmland easement on Maxwell Farm-Dyer Field, assuring the property is forever designated for farmland use for generations to come. A generous donor will match each and every contribution up to $854,000. Join us and your support will go twice as far. Help us ensure this working farm stays a working farm, supporting the local food economy for generations to come.

Development Growth in a Changing Community

Once a sparsely populated rural community, Cape Elizabeth has witnessed substantial residential housing growth in recent decades. From 2000 to 2015, Cape’s housing stock grew by 364 new units—a rate of growth that is ten times the pace of population growth.

The Erosion of Cape’s Rich Agricultural Heritage

Although many farms remain in Cape today, their numbers are diminishing having been replaced by residential development. Town-wide surveys have repeatedly and overwhelmingly shown that maintaining the viability of local, safe, and reliable food sources is highly valued by Cape Elizabeth residents.

Habitat Destruction

For many in rural areas, going to bed listening to spring peepers is a sure harbinger of spring. Yet in many areas, this experience is now a mere memory. When a parcel of land is developed, hundreds of species are negatively impacted and most are permanently displaced. Thanks to CELT’s conservation efforts, Robinson Woods, to cite but one example, is a thriving ecosystem, with 300-year-old trees and a broad array of wildlife.

GOAL: $6.25 MILLION

CELT is taking strategic and bold efforts to preserve Cape now by identifying and raising funds for today’s needs within the community and for stewarding lands in perpetuity. During a successful quiet phase of the campaign, CELT has raised more than $5 million dollars to support a comprehensive capital campaign. Charitable support from concerned members of the community is needed to realize a strategic vision for Cape that includes a goal of $6.25 million to secure and steward conservation priorities and education programming in Cape Elizabeth over the next 5 to 10 years.

Protecting Land in Perpetuity

Goal: $4 million — $3.2 million raised to date

Immediate Key Opportunities include 76-acre easement at Maxwell Farm-Dyer Field

Protecting and stewarding lands cherished by our community is our highest campaign priority. During the quiet phase of the campaign, CELT conserved both Robinson Woods III and the Pollack Brook Preserve on Spurwink Avenue using $2.2 million of funds already raised. Now, we turn our attention down the road to fundraising for a 76-acre easement at Maxwell Farm-Dyer Field.

Stewardship

Goal: $300,000 — $240,000 raised to date

5-Year Needs

CELT’s work does not stop when we purchase land. There are immediate needs such as bridges, invasive species removal, boardwalks and trail development to provide public access, all that require staff and volunteer time and materials.

General Endowment

GOAL: $1,200,000 — $960,000 raised to date

Ensure long-term financial health for CELT

Expansion of the General Endowment Fund as a part of this campaign will support preserving CELT properties forever and will allow the organization to continue to engage, educate, and connect the community with conserved lands.

Supporting Operations

Goal: $750,000 — $600,000 raised to date

Fiscal year ’18 through fiscal year ’20

This portion of the campaign ensures that annual operations revenue covers all budget needs for running the organization, including funds for educational programs, stewardship activities, land protection, and working with landowners so we can continue to do our good work.