Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 1

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On Monday, May 5, the Town of

Boothbay held its Annual Town Meet-

ing. Article 4 on the ballot was, “To

see if the Town will vote to authorize

the Board of Selectmen to convey as a

gift to Boothbay Region Land Trust

(BRLT) the approximately 19.8 acre

tax-acquired parcel of land” known as

the Cross River Property. More than

75 percent of voters approved the

article, and on May 28 the Boothbay

Selectmen signed the deed to the

Cross River Property over to BRLT.

This journey began eight months

ago when the town of Boothbay

sought Request For Proposals for the

Cross River Property located off

Route 27. In 2002, the residents of

Boothbay voted for the town to retain

ownership of the property for public

use. The Cross River Property was

then leased to the Boothbay Civic As-

sociation (BCA) in October 2002, with

the agreement that the Association

would provide walking and hiking

trails, as well as facilities for picnicking

and boating. The BCA also proposed

to construct a community arts center.

However, despite the best of inten-

tions, these activities were never

completed.

When the RFP was circulated,

BRLT saw it as a prime opportunity

for that original vision of the Cross

River Property to become realized,

and submitted the proposal summa-

rized below:

“BRLT is committed to establish-

ing parking facilities, developing hik-

ing trails for public access, fostering

working waterfront access for clam

and worm diggers and providing

public access to the shore for recrea-

Newsletter Issue 99 Summer 2014

tional use. BRLT may consider con-

structing a nature center with BRLT

office space and educational facilities

contingent upon site planning and

funding.

“BRLT pledges to the develop-

ment of trails and trailhead within

one year. The conception and plan-

ning process for improving water-

front access and site development,

including a nature center to serve as a

“gateway” to Boothbay Region pub-

lic lands, will begin within two years.

(Continued on page 4)

Please patronize our 2014 Conservation Partners:

WE HAVE A NEW PRESERVE!

By Nick Ullo, Executive Director

Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 2

Boothbay Region Land Trust PO Box 183, 137 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

Tel. (207) 633-4818 • Email: brlt@bbrlt.org • Website: bbrlt.org

Boothbay Region Land Trust is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization

rent for future accreditation audits and for

BRLT’s internal use. This function will be

assumed by the Governance Committee.

The second significant organizational

change is the consolidation of all fundraising

and membership activities in the Develop-

ment Committee, chaired by Jean Hawley.

Skye Wood has moved into the fulltime posi-

tion of Development and Outreach Manager.

She will be handling outreach programs that

assure BRLT’s visibility in the community

through newspaper articles, our newsletters,

and social media. Development tasks to be

managed by Skye are the coordination of

BRLT’s fundraising campaigns, including the

annual appeal, planned giving, as well as our

major donor relations program and support

of the ongoing capital Stewardship Cam-

(Continued on page 3)

PRESIDENT JIM DUN: A RESTRUCTURING

Board of Directors James Dun

President

Jack Fulmer Vice President

Merry Knowlton

Secretary

Hamilton Meserve Treasurer

Nancy Adams Danielle Betts Linda Burley Bill Cullina

Pauline Dion Joe Gelarden

Meagan Hamblett Jean Hawley

Jeffrey V. Wells

Board of Advisors Louise Bowditch Jennifer Cutshall Nanette Davison

Carl R. Griffin, III Michael F. Harrison

Dawn E. Kidd Charles E. Koch

Mary Miller Bruce B. Tindal

Staff

Nicholas J. Ullo Executive Director

Violet S. Wood Development and

Outreach Manager

Tracey Hall Environmental Educator

Michael Warren Lands Manager

Diane G. Gilman

Administrative Assistant

Newsletter Nancy Hall, Editor

Nick Ullo, Skye Wood

Photos Tracey Hall, Nick Ullo,

Skye Wood

REPORT TO MEMBERS BRLT FINANCES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013

A s any organization

grows and matures,

modifications to its struc-

ture are required to enable it

to meet changing needs.

This has become evident at

our land trust, and two areas have been re-

structured to better handle current objectives,

needs and mission. They are our Governance

and Development functions.

In May, BRLT submitted its application

for accreditation by the Land Trust Accredita-

tion Commission. This Herculean task, led by

Jean Hawley, Ham Meserve and Nick Ullo,

required much research and documentation of

policies, procedures, and land management

plans, among other requirements. This project

highlighted the need for an ongoing compli-

ance program to keep the required data cur-

Page 3 Boothbay Region Land Trust

C elebrate the start of fall with a

hike and cookout featuring sea-

sonal foods and spectacular views!

On September 27th, BRLT will host

The Great Hike at Ovens Mouth

Preserve from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

in celebration of the Great Maine

Outdoor Weekend. Enjoy the first

peeks at color along the salt marsh

and tidal waters of Ovens Mouth

Preserve while searching for clues for

exciting prizes in a fun-for-all ages

scavenger hunt!

Once the exploration of the 146-

acre preserve is complete, hikers will

make their way back to the Erhard

Farm, which abuts Ovens Mouth

Preserve. Our good neighbors, Ker-

rin and Lincoln Erhard, have gener-

ously opened their farm for the after-

hike BBQ, music and games. Music

will be provided by The Space-

heaters, who offer a funky, melodi-

ous sound all can enjoy. Games will

include a letterbox challenge in which

participants collect stamps in a pass-

port book related to the natural and

GO TAKE A HIKE! THEN ENJOY BBQ human features of the preserve, good

old-fashioned apple bobbing, relay

races, and an osprey toss!

The casual hike, fun games with

prizes, and excellent food will suit

people of all ages and fitness levels.

Tickets are now available

through the land trust office for

$15/individual, $25/couple and

$30/family. All money raised

will directly support BRLT's

mission of land conservation

and public access. For more

information, or to purchase

tickets, contact BRLT at (207)

633-4818 or brlt@bbrlt.org. Erhard Farm, site of the after-hike BBQ

paign. She will also continue to coor-

dinate special events that expand out-

reach and raise funds to support

BRLT operations.

I believe these two realignments

both strengthen our organization and

add a large measure of professional-

ism to both our governance and de-

velopment functions. Many thanks to

those who have taken on these chal-

lenges.

Jim Dun (Continued from page 2)

SUMMER CAMP PARTNERSHIP TAKES OFF

By Tracey “Turtle” Hall

B y the time this newsletter arrives

in your mailbox, the first week

of Boothbay Region YMCA

(BRYMCA) Camp Knickerbocker

will be underway. That doesn’t mean

it’s too late to sign up your child or

grandchild for a week at camp this

summer. Summer camp will be wel-

coming children ages 5 through 12

until the end of August. Those who

enroll participate in traditional camp

activities such as boating, swimming,

sports, and arts and crafts, all of

which connect to nature. And an

expanded partnership between

BRYMCA and Boothbay Region

Land Trust means a new environ-

mentally focused curriculum as well.

Through a job share with the

BRYMCA, I have been tasked with

designing and implementing a sum-

mer program that utilizes the camp’s 2013 Wilderness Adventure Campers take a hiking break at Penny Lake Preserve.

70 acres of woodland and Knicker-

bocker Lake. Weekly themes such as

“Out to Sea” and “A Bug’s Life” will

provide a variety of hands-on experi-

ences for campers who stay on-site,

while Half Day and Adventure Camps

allow older children to experience the

great outdoors in the Boothbay Re-

gion and beyond. To see the many

options available this summer at

BRYMCA Camp Knickerbocker, visit

boothbayregionymca.org or stop in

the BRYMCA or BRLT office. Hope

to see your little ones out at camp this

summer!

Did You Know…?

In 2013 there was an 18% in-

crease in the number of volun-

teers and a 30% increase in the

hours donated to BRLT. This com-

putes to an estimated economic

value of more than $80,000!

Thanks to all our volunteers.

Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 4

Any construction will commence as

funds become available.”

Now the work must begin. We

are actively collecting information,

including plant and animal invento-

ries and maps, in order to develop a

management plan for the property.

This plan will help guide the process

of developing trails, improving wa-

ter access and other future land

uses.

We are always interested in en-

gaging the community and our

members. If you would like to get

more involved in this project or any

activity at BRLT, or if you have any

questions or comments, please don’t

hesitate to call us at (207) 633-4818

or stop by our office.

Cross River (Continued from page 1)

Nonprofit Org. US Postage Paid

Permit #3 Boothbay Harbor, ME

04538

The Boothbay Region Land Trust seeks to conserve for the public benefit the natural habitat, scenic beauty and working land of the Boothbay Region.

Our Wayfarers are ready for another season on the trails! Pictured left to right: Michael Warren

(BRLT Lands Manager), Marianne Reynolds, Hal Moorefield, Allen Johnson, Barbie Eldred, Ron

Ross, Sally Smith, Jody Lunt, Fleet Davies, Frank Johnson, Leanne Pander, Diane Gilman (BRLT

Administrative Assistant) and Maren Fischer kicked the season off by exploring land trust preserves

and furthering their knowledge of the conserved land of the Boothbay Region. BRLT Wayfarers vol-

unteer their time throughout the summer to enhance hikers’ experience by sharing information about

BRLT, its properties and the natural features each one has to offer. Be sure to look for one of these

friendly faces during your next hike!

YOU’RE LOOKING SHARP, WAYFARERS!

Nick Ullo, Jean Hawley (Queen of

Accreditation) and Ham Meserve

pose with the final accreditation

binders. BRLT’s full application for

accreditation was submitted in April.

We are now awaiting a much antici-

pated phone conference with the

Accreditation Commission Review

Team in July. A final decision from

the Commission is expected near

the end of the year.

ACCREDITATION UPDATE