From Cindy Krum, Executive Director
On February 2nd, I and representatives of six other Cumberland County land trusts and three statewide conservation organizations met with state lawmakers to share with them the many ways that land conservation is making Maine a better place to live, work, and raise a family. The event was coordinated by The Nature Conservancy, Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
In addition to talking about conserving and taking care of land, the purpose of this evening was to focus on the many other initiatives that land trusts offer. Each of the land trusts and statewide organizations highlighted a specific partnership that was an important focus for their community or region. Two middle school teachers from Cape Elizabeth joined me in telling about the success of our place based seventh and eighth grade environmental education program at Turkey Hill Farm. Other highlights included:
- Falmouth Land Trust and their partner organization Cultivating Community are providing a farming location for immigrant families to grow their own food.
- Scarborough Land Trust talked about their partnership with the Friends of Scarborough Marsh and the important work that they are doing for climate change.
- The Nature Conservancy spoke of their participation in the First Light program and how they have developed a partnership with members of the Wabanaki nation.
- A few young farmers who were able to successfully buy their family farm with help from the Maine Farmland Trust told a very moving story.
- Royal River Conservation Trust shared about their work to build ecological diversity and special bird habitat.
- Presumpscot Regional Land Trust highlighted their partnership with the town of Windham to create the largest block of conserved land in the region (661 acres).
- Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust supports a farm to table restaurant through a conservation easement on a farm.
- The Freeport Conservation Trust spoke of a very important habitat restoration project for their town and the region.
It was very exciting to have an evening focused on the positive work that land trusts are doing with partners throughout the region and hear from engaged legislators. Membership support makes initiatives like these possible.
Thank you for being a part of this work!
