Spring - Boothbay Region Land Trust
Transcription
Spring - Boothbay Region Land Trust
B OOTHBAY R EGION L AND T RUST Newsletter Issue 84 Spring 2009 MEET OUR NEW LAND & STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR N ick Ullo, the former caretaker of Damariscove Island, is now the newly designated Land and Stewardship Coordinator. This BRLT staff position reports to the Executive Director, with a myriad of duties and responsibilities that include overseeing the maintenance and management RI %5/7·V -mile trail system, supervising seasonal caretakers, recruiting, coordinating and supervising volunteers on stewardship work parties, and overseeing construction SURMHFWV RQ WKH DFUHV XQGHU %5/7·V SURWHFWLYH DUP As part of his job, Nick will also support the work of the Lands and Stewardship committees. He will also be responsible for helping to develop the necessary relationships with the state, the community, and HDVHPHQW DQG SUHVHUYH GRQRUV WR HQVXUH WKH /DQG 7UXVW·V stewardship compliance, while nurturing new easements, new donors, and new stewards. When not maintaining the preserves, Nick will be responsible for managing the complex files about each preserve and easement, important to the future maintenance of each property. He will also be responsible for developing, implementing, and, when necessary, updating management plans for existing parcels and prospective ones. Nick is eminently qualified to take on the responsibilities of this new position. His college major was Environmental Science, and in 2002, the year he graduated, he became the summer caretaker of Damariscove Island, a position he held for seven summers. On a bright, cool day in Where Have All the Bees Gone? Page 4 Boothbay Region Land Trust Three Generations of BRLT Volunteers Page 5 2005, he married Tracey Hall, a college comrade and fellow environmentalist, at the former Coast Guard Station on Damariscove Island. Nick and Tracey are both Pennsylvanians, deeply committed to the preservation of our natural environNick at the new Memorial Grove on Porter Preserve (see story page 5) ment, and, in particular, to the IXUWKHUDQFH RI %5/7·V PLVVLRQ RI FRQVHUYDWLRQ VWHZDUG ship and education as a working example of what can and should be done. Despite his abiding affection for Damariscove, Nick never saw or heard the headless ghost and his dog during his time on the island. Nick is not inclined to transcendentalism, which bodes well for his success in this new position! 6HH:KDW·V Coming Up This Year Page 7 Page 1 APRIL IS BRLT MEMBERSHIP MONTH. PLEASE JOIN OR RENEW NOW! Preservation • Education • Conservation A MESSAGE FROM ANDREW T President President Andrew Matthews Andrew Matthews Vice President Vice President William Haney William Haney Secretary JoeSecretary Gelarden Joe Gelarden Board of Directors Kathy Board of Bugbee Directors Judy Eastwood Kathy Bugbee Judy Eastwood Scott Hardwick Scott Hardwick Merry Knowlton Merry AlanKnowlton Lewis Alan Lewis Katie Doughty Maddox Katie Doughty Maddox Robert F. McLaughlin Robert F. McLaughlin Richard Palmer Richard Palmer Anthony S. Patton Patton Anthony S. Arthur Reed Arthur Reed Lauren Lauren Stockwell Stockwell Jean Jean Webster Webster Jeffrey V. Wells Wells Jeffrey V. Nathaniel Wing Nathaniel Wing Board Board of of Advisors Advisors Jennifer Cutshall Jennifer Cutshall Carl III Carl R. R. Griffin, Griffin, III Dawn E. Kidd Dawn Kidd Charles E. Koch Charles Koch Bruce B. Bruce B. Tindal Tindal Executive Director Executive Director Julie Lamy Lamy Land Land & & Stewardship Stewardship Coordinator Coordinator Nick Ullo Nick Ullo Administrative Assistant Administrative Assistant Carolyn Shubert Carolyn Shubert Newsletter Newsletter Nancy Hall, Editor Nancy Hall, Editor Henry Bonner Henry Bonner Joe Gelarden Joe Gelarden Frank Johnson Frank Johnson Laurie Laurie Knowlton Knowlton Merry Merry Knowlton Knowlton David Morse David Morse Chris Chris Patton Patton Peggy Voight Peggy Voight Jean Webster Webster Jean Betsy Wing Betsy Wing Photos Photos Laurie Laurie Knowlton Knowlton Steve Rubicam Steve Rubicam Evie Smith Evie Smith Peggy Voight Peggy Voight Jean Webster Webster Jean Layout and Printing Camden Printing, Inc. Printed on on recycled recycled paper Printed paper with soy-base soy-base ink with ink Page 2 hose on our peninsula have experienced what seemed like a long winter, without the usual ´-DQXDU\ WKDZµ %XW QRZ WKH GD\V DUH QRWLFHDEO\ longer, especially with Daylight Savings Time, and BRLT is hard at work planning the next busy season. The Events team has put together a very creative Calendar of Events, with a good mix of both well-known events and interesting new ones. The BRLT web page has now been updated and it looks great ² SD\ XV D YLVLW ,I \RX FDQ·W ILQG WKH information you are looking for there, please let us know; it will help us be more responsive to what you want. There have been some big changes at BRLT í the most evident is the arrival of our new Land & Stewardship Coordinator Nick Ullo (see article page 1). With Nick now a part of the team, it means work can be shared among staff members, and it has even enabled Julie and Carolyn to take some well-deserved time off before the rush of the busy season. Through the winter, BRLT has been focusing intently on our finances and spending, finding savings where we can, and ensuring that all our re- sources are being applied wisely. Our energetic Cost Containment Team has been diligent in finding ways to save (see article page 6). We have also reorganized and created a separate Investments Committee to manage our endowment, which is now separate Andrew Matthews from the Finance Committee that deals with operations and budgets. We are extremely fortunate to have help from a stellar group of Investment Committee members. Last year we transitioned to the idea of annual membership renewal in April. Of course, anyone can join us at any time, but as many of you are long-term members, it seems easier to encourage everyone to renew their membership at the same time. Your financial support is quite literally what keeps the lights on and the trails open, and we are very grateful for all that our members contribute, and for the very large numbers of you who also volunteer for events or stewardship. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR·S UPDATE W e are certainly living in interesting times. Many of us are rediscovering our resourceful selves. The Land Trust's Cost Containment Team is looking for ways to be resourceful with our budget without compromising quality. Julie Lamy Yet it is also during these times that we need to remember that the Land Trust's role to preserve this region's natural resources has not diminished and can often complement our resourcefulness. With that I pass along this sage advice courtesy of Grover î WKDWLV*URYHUIURP P\-½ year-old son's book, Grover's Terrific Ways to Help our Wonderful World: 1) Plant a tree. 2) Protect our animal friends. 3) Fix broken things. 4) Do not waste water. 5) Do not waste energy. 6) Do not waste things that can be used another way. 7) Give outgrown things to someone smaller. 8) Choose things that can be used over and over again. 9) Pick up litter. 10) Recycle trash. Grover has good ideas about what you can do WR KHOS XV SUHVHUYH WKH UHJLRQ·V QDWXUDO UHVRXUFHV We can work together to find more effective ways to help our wonderful Boothbay region. Please become a BRLT member or renew your membership this month so we can do just that. Boothbay Region Land Trust PO Box 183, 137 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 Tel. (207) 633-)D[ -(PDLO EUOW#EEUOWRUJ :HEVLWHEEUOWRUJ Boothbay Region Land Trust is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization Boothbay Region Land Trust BRLT HAS A NEW BOARD OF ADVISORS B RLT recently appointed a new ant, helping land trusts work toward Board of Advisors to benefit from Land Trust Alliance accreditation. ´,KDYHDORWRIH[SHULHQFHLQODQG the knowledge, expertise and enthusiFRQVHUYDWLRQµ .LGG QRWHV ´, XQGHU asm of talented local professionals: stand both land trust management and Jennifer Cutshall the sources of funding, as well as havJennifer has been Director of Advance- ing the historical background. I am ment at Maine Audubon since 2007, happy to assist BRLT in any way I where her work focuses on building FDQµ financial sustainability for the organization. Prior to that, Jennifer worked for Dr. Charles (Chuck) Koch the Nature Conservancy's Maine Chap- Chuck and his wife Betty have been ter as Senior Associate Director of Phi- summer residents since 1989. Chuck lanthropy. She and her husband worked for the U.S. Public Health SerChris live with their two children, ages vice before establishing a five-physician 12 and 15, in Falmouth, and also have a group practice in internal medicine in family home at Ocean Point. Jennifer Venice, Florida, in 1965. In addition to says she hopes to use her considerable serving on the Board of Directors of experience in fund raising to help Venice Hospital for seven years, he has BRLT increase its endowment with been a fund raiser for the hospital. ´,QWKHSDVW,KDYHVROLFLWHGPHP donor funds. bers and contacted potential donors for Dawn Kidd %5/7µ .RFK QRWHV ´:H DOZD\V GH Dawn and her husband Bob have lived pend on charitable contributions from in Boothbay for 30 years. She was Ex- people interested in protecting reecutive Director of BRLT for 14 years, sources important to the area, not only and started as a BRLT board member for recreational and scenic purposes, in 1989. She served as treasurer in 1990 but also for conserving and preserving and succeeded Lois Barge as executive ZLOGOLIHDQGQDWXUHµ director in 1991. During her tenure as executive director, she oversaw the ac- Carl (Chip) Griffin, III quisition and protection of 35 parcels A graduate of Boothbay Region High of land totaling more than 1,200 acres. School, Bowdoin College and Maine Dawn is currently a land trust consult- Law School, Chip has owned Griffin Law Offices in Boothbay Harbor since 1980. Chip is a past president of the Lincoln County Bar Association. In addition, Chip has been a Rotarian since 1981 (and a past president), and is involved in numerous community and global projects. Chip has written numerous articles and published two books on local history: Coming of Age on Damariscove Island, Maine, and ,·P 'LIIHUHQW. Chip lives in Boothbay Harbor with his wife, Denise, a selectwoman, and they have two grown daughters. Bruce Tindal Bruce was a summer resident in the region before settling here permanently with his wife Nancy in 1972. Bruce founded Tindal & Callahan Real Estate with Judy Callahan in 1985; he has been a Realtor for over 34 years. An avid boater, he often gives tours of the area ´E\ ZDWHUµ WR FOLHQWV %UXFH has served on the boards of BRLT, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, St. Andrews Village, St. Andrews Hospital and currently serves on the board of The First National Bank of Damariscotta. %5/7EHQHILWVIURP%UXFH·VFRP PXQLW\DQGUHDOHVWDWHH[SHUWLVH´/DVW year, BRLT wanted to purchase land DEXWWLQJDSUHVHUYHµKHUHFDOOV´,ZDV able to orchestrate the sale in a way WKDWVDYHGPRQH\IRUWKH/DQG7UXVWµ 7th ANNUAL BOAT BUILDERS FESTIVAL: NEW & RENEWED Mark your calendar now ± the 2009 Boat Builders Festival is planned for Sunday, August 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. With activities for the whole family, the festival celebrates the working waterfront, and will emphasize the resurgence of work at Washburn & Doughty Shipyard and Hodgdon Yachts. Look for: x A pirate raid by The Pirates of the Dark Rose x Tours of Ocean Point Marina and Nat S. Wilson Sail Loft x A new story-telling site and music, near the Kids Korner x Maritime talks and demonstrations, model boats x Art show featuring work of local artists for sale 7RQ\YDQ+DVVHOW¶VSRVWHUIRUWKH%RRWKED\%RDW x Live music Builders Festival highlights the recovery of Washburn x 6HDIRRG«6HDIRRG«6HDIRRG 'RXJKW\¶V6KLS\DUGDIWHUWKHILUHRI Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 3 WHERE HAVE ALL THE BEES GONE? How You Can Help The Importance of Protecting Pollinators B By Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation x Use local native plants. Native plants P ollinators are essential to our environment. Animal pollination, which is mostly done by insects, LVQHFHVVDU\IRUQHDUO\SHUFHQWRIWKHZRUOG·VIORZ ering plants. This includes more than two-thirds of WKHZRUOG·VFURSVSHFLHVZKRVHIUXLWVDQGVHHGVSUR vide over 30 percent of the foods and beverages that we consume. With about 4,000 species in North America, bees are considered the most important group of pollinators. Native bees come in many shapes and sizes, from the recognizable large yellow-and-black bumble bee to tiny creatures that are deep metallic blue or bright emerald green. Other pollinators include moths, beetles and flies and some butterflies and wasps. 'HVSLWHWKHUHFRJQL]HGLPSRUWDQFHRISROOLQDWLRQ´VHUYLFHVµWKHUHLVDJURZ ing body of evidence that suggests pollinators are at risk. Causes of declines are difficult to pinpoint, but loss of floral diversity and habitat due to increasing urbanization, expansion of intensive agriculture, invasive plants, widespread use of pesticides, climate change and disease and parasites have all had a negative impact on pollinator populations. BRLT is helping to meet the challenge by providing critical habitat for pollinators in its preserves such as Damariscove Island, Singing Meadows, Lobster Cove Meadow, Penny Lake and Zak Preserves. Honey bees usually receive all the credit for crop pollination, yet the number of managed honey bee hives is half of what it was in the 1950s, and this number continues to decline due to disease, pests, and the low price of honey. Recent research on crop pollination, however, has demonstrated that native bees make a significant contribution to crop pollination í in some cases providing one hundred percent of the pollination required when enough habitat is available. Native pollinators are also essential for the health of wild areas. Fruits and seeds derived from insect pollination are a major part of the diet of approximately 25 percent of birds, and of mammals ranging from red-backed voles to grizzly bears. For more information about what you can do to protect pollinators, go to: www.xerces.org. y providing a buffet of flowering plants, you are directly helping pollinators provide for their young: can be used in both wild areas and gardens. Research suggests native plants are up to four times more attractive to native bees than non-native flowers. Native plants can usually thrive with minimum attention. x Use heirloom varieties. For the garden, heirloom varieties of herbs and perennials are good sources of nectar or pollen and thus provide good foraging. x Chose several colors of flowers. Bees have good color vision to help them find flowers and the nectar and pollen they offer. Colors that particularly attract bees are blue, purple, violet, white, and yellow. x Plant flowers in clumps. Flowers clustered into clumps of one species will attract more pollinators than will individual plants scattered through the habitat patch. x Have a diversity of plants flowering all season. By having a sequence of plants flowering through spring, summer and fall, you will support a range of bee species that fly at different times of the year. x Create bee nest sites. The great majority of bees are solitary nesting species that create nests in beetle-riddled snags or are dug in the ground. Wooden blocks drilled with small holes or patches of bare ground can provide secure nest sites. x Avoid insecticides around house or garden. Alternative methods for controlling specific pests without using chemicals are available,. Remember, anything you do will help. Even just a few plants can provide important food and habitat. For more information on what you can do go to: www.xerces.org 'RQ·W0LVVWKH/REVWHU%DNHRQ'DPDULVFRYH,VODQG When: Thursday, July 1st, 2009, 5:00 p.m. ² 9:00 p.m. Cost: $125 Where: Boat departs Pier 8, Boothbay Harbor Enjoy an evening boat trip to Damariscove Island for an authentic lobster bake with Damariscove's lobstermen. The privately owned Life Saving Station will be open for tours, as will BRLT's museum and caretaker's cottage. Rain date is July 2. This event sells out each year. Limited tickets available at the BRLT office or by calling 633-4818. Page 4 Boothbay Region Land Trust ,W·VD)DPLO\$IIDLU7KUHH*HQHUDWLRQVRI 9ROXQWHHUV I W·V DOO LQ WKH IDPLO\ î IRU *LQQ\ Conn, her daughter Cathy Court and grandson Eben Court, volunteering at BRLT brings three generations of this Boothbay family together in support of a common cause: conservation. Their individual involvement in Land Trust activities shows that all ages can contribute a wide variety of interests and skills. Ginny Conn, senior member of the trio, says her interest in BRLT started with the campaign to save Mill Pond Overlook from development. Unable lately to do much hiking on the WUDLOV *LQQ\ D ZHOO NQRZQ ´SHRSOH SHUVRQµJHWVRXWWRGRJUHDWSXEOLFLW\ for Land Trust fundraisers such as the Sports Swap, art shows and auctions. Not only does she sell tickets at the Boat Builders Festival, but she is ´DOZD\V DYDLODEOH WR KHOS ZLWK HYHQW SODQQLQJµ *LQQ\ KDV IRXQG WKDW BRLT is highly regarded on the peninVXOD DQG IHHOV WKDW ´LW LV GRLQJ H[ WUHPHO\ZHOOLQIXOILOOLQJLWVPLVVLRQµ &DWK\ &RXUW·V skill as a professional landscape designer ties in nicely with WKLV \HDU·V VSHFLDO project, the creation of a Memorial Grove at Porter Preserve (see related article this page). In addition to preparing a design plan for the Grove, she worked this fall and winter with a small committee to d e f in e boundaries and trails, cut and clear bush, and consider signage. In the spring, she will oversee the placement of native plant materials and rustic seats to complete the Grove. Cathy sees her work for the Land Trust as an expression of her concern for preservation of our natural environment, and the importance Come Meditate in Our New Memorial Grove A volunteer committee of the Land Trust has been working on finalizing plans for a Memorial Grove. The intent is to provide a place for those seeking quiet reflection and meditation where they can remember loved ones and those who have been important in their lives. 7KHQDWXUDOVHWWLQJORFDWHGRQ3RUWHU3UHVHUYHDGMDFHQWWRWKH5REHUW¶VSURSHUW\ working waterfront, is bordered by trees and plantings while providing a view of the Sheepscot River. Rustic benches will be placed to allow an open view to the river. The sense of privacy is enhanced by the surrounding trees and a border of bushes. Natural plantings, designed by Cathy Court (see related article above), will create a tranquil setting. The Grove is accessible by car at the end of Kimballtown Road on Barters Island. Limited parking is available there. For hikers, a loop of the Porter Preserve trail system passes by. It also borders a small cove that can serve as a pull-out area for kayaks and canoes. A sign denoting the location of the Grove will be placed near the parking area; there will also be signs on the periphery designating the boundaries. The Land Trust hopes the Grove will be a place where all members of the Boothbay community and visitors will feel welcome. The natural setting and its availDELOLW\WRDOOLVLQNHHSLQJZLWKWKHRUJDQL]DWLRQ¶VPLVVLRQ'XHWRWKHOLPLWHGSDUNLQJ and the need to maintain a quiet, respectful atmosphere, use by large groups is discouraged. The BRLT office can answer any questions about its use. An official opening ceremony will be announced later in the year. Support for this venture is from donations to the Land Trust. Boothbay Region Land Trust Left to right: Cathy Court, Eben Court and Ginny Conn of public access to special places such as the Grove. &DWK\·VVRQ(EHQLVDVHQLRUDWWKH high school. Although he has volunteered at the Boat Builders Festival and on Damariscove Island, he became more involved with the Land Trust as part of a school-sponsored work/study program. His first job was using his GPS skills to help volunteer Dick Palmer design trail guides for several of RXUSURSHUWLHV6D\V(EHQ´,IHHODVLI ,·PJHWWLQJVRPHUHDOZRUOGH[SHULHQFH Working at a non-profit organization has been different, and seeing how the Land Trust functions has been a bonus. ,·YH OHDUQHG D ORW DERXW%5/7 SURSHU ties in the area î KRZ PDQ\ DQG KRZ DFFHVVLEOHWKH\DUH,W·VJUHDWµ )RU WKHVH WKUHH LW·V FOHDU WKDW YRO unteering for BRLT is a family tradition that has not only enriched their lives, but made a significant contribution to the work of the Land Trust as well. Page 5 We Want You as a Member A pril is BRLT membership month. More than ever, we hope you will consider becoming a member or renewing your membership. BRLT relies almost exclusively on the voluntary generosity of individuals, families and businesses to carry out our mission. Our preserves provide crucial access to open spaces for adults and children in the community, protection, and filtering of clean water and air and life-sustaining places for birds, other wildlife and the local fisheries. Your membership directly supports this mission-driven work. Though hiking on our trails is free for everyone year-round, there is a cost to any business, including a land trust. Our enthusiastic volunteer corps helps keep our operating costs low, as do our accelerated efforts to contain costs wherever possible without compromising the quality of our work. ,I\RX·UHQRWDPHPEHUZHLQYLWH\RXWRMRLQQRZDQGLI\RXDOUHDG\DUHWR UHQHZ\RXUPHPEHUVKLSWKLVPRQWK,W·VDQLQYHVWPHQWWKDWZLOOEHQHILWPDQ\ Help! We Need a Volunteer Coordinator T he Land Trust is searching for a year -round resident or residents to serve as volunteer coordinator. This vital volunteer position could be filled by one person, a couple or even two friends. BRLT relies on volunteers to complete much of its work, keeping operating costs low and benefiting from the talent and creativity of the many residents and visitors who believe in and support our mission. The volunteer coordinator works directly with staff to recruit, welcome and Have You Renewed Your Membership? Helen and Earle Barlow renewed their BRLT membership this year ² KHUH·VZK\ assign volunteers throughout the year. The volunteer can work from home and/or the office. In return, this volunteer will have the unwavering gratitude of the ´,Q PXFK RI WKH ZRUOG LW LVQ·W SRVVLEOH IRU private individuals to own property that borders the sea. The reality is that our population is growing rapidly, and the public might soon have no access to the coast and waterways of the rivers and bays of this area if not for the active intervention of BRLT and the PDQ\PLOHVRIDWWUDFWLYHKLNLQJWUDLOVµ BRLT Board and staff, enjoy many hours of fun, humor and camaraderie, and play a NH\ UROH LQ IXUWKHULQJ %5/7¶V PLVVLRQ RI conservation, stewardship and education. To learn more, please contact Carolyn or Julie at 633-4818 or brlt@bbrlt.org. ´6LASHERSµ%USY AT WORK CUTTING COSTS Y our friends at the Boothbay Region Land Trust try their best to be good stewards of the beautiful woods and spectacular shores or one of your favorite places. We want you to know we also do our best to be good stewards of the funds you and your friends and family generously donate to support our vital conservation efforts. To help us do this difficult task, President Andrew Matthews and the Board of Directors recently appointed a special committee to shepherd Page 6 BRLT funds. Officially, it is called the Cost Containment Team. We call it ´7KH6ODVKµJDQJ The Slashers are focusing on sevHUDO LVVXHV WKDW FRXOG KHOS XV ´VODVKµ our fixed costs. For example, printing the newsletter, brochures and other materials is one of our big ticket items. The committee is investigating ways to lower these costs, including talking to several possible vendors to provide us with more affordable printing services. Another big operating cost is insurance, and the committee is looking at ZD\V WR JHW DV PXFK ´EDQJ IRU RXU EXFNµDQGVWLOOSURYLGHIRURXUQHHGV Like other businesses, we are tied to the outside world through our telephone, fax and Internet connections. Today, it seems phone service is not enough. We have a small staff and they need these tools to do the job we ask WKHP WR GR :H MXVW FDQ·W GR ZLWKRXW our website and e-mail services. The committee is looking to see whether we can save money by bundling these services with one provider. Boothbay Region Land Trust Have You Considered Making a Bequest to BRLT? A PRQJ WKH %RRWKED\ SHQLQVXOD·V JUHDWHVW DVVHWV DUH %5/7·V SUHVHUYHV IURP VKRUW ZDONLQJ WUDLOV WR WKH magnificence of Damariscove Island. Their importance lies less in terms of monetary value, but they add enormously to the quality of our environment î SDUWLFXODUO\ DV D SHUPD nent legacy to the community and to generations to come. %5/7·VDELOLW\WRSURWHFWWKHVHQDWXUDOUHVRXUFHVGHSHQGVLQ part on the support of our endowment. Bequests, as well as donations, have contributed to its growth over the years. Bequests are a pledge to be fulfilled in the future, usually under the terms of a will. They can be in the form of capital, real property, or perhaps the remainder of a retirement account. Bequests can be outright gifts, or can be achieved through various kinds of trusts. Some trusts provide a steady stream of income to one or more charities over several years, with the principal reverting to other beneficiaries. Some trusts do just the opposite, providing income to designated beneficiaries with the principal being paid to one or more charities after a given period of time, or after the death of the income beneficiaries. Outright charitable bequests as well as trusts often provide significant tax benefits to the estate and/or to the beneficiaries. If you are considering a bequest, BRLT has DYDLODEOH D EURFKXUH ´3ODQQHG *LYLQJµ ZKLFK LQFOXGHV some basic information. Anyone contemplating a bequest should also consult his or her financial and legal advisors. :RQ·W \RX FRQVLGHU LQFOXGLQJ %5/7 LQ \RXU HVWDWH planning to help insure the heritage of all who treasure the beauty of our region? /RRN:KDW·V&RPLQJ8SLQ We have a lot of new events and expert hike leaders this year ² KHUHDUHKDSSHQLQJVWKURXJK-XO\:H·OOSXEOLVKPRUHLQWKH summer issue of the newsletter. Note: Damariscove Island events sell out each year so buy your tickets early. For a complete event listing, visit our Calendar of Events link at www.bbrlt.org. April 1 ² Birding 101 with Joe Gray of Maine Audubon at BH Town Hall -10 a.m. April 15 ² Evening with Woodcocks at Zak Preserve with Barbara Gibson & Jean Howe ² 7:15 p.m. April 29 ² Discover the Stonewalls on Schoolhouse Pond Preserve with Wolf Schumann ² 9 a.m. May ² Babes in the Woods - hikes on Preserves, once a week - day and place TBA- 9:30 a.m. May 8 - Spring Birding at Lobster Cove Meadow with Eric Hynes, chief naturalist Maine Audubon ² 7 a.m. May 13 ² %LUGLQJZLWK$XGXERQ·V6HWK%HQ]² preserve TBA - 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. May 16 - Composting & Vermiculture made easy with Nick & Tracey - BRLT office - 10 a.m. June 6 ² Ruperts Ramble from Linekin Preserve to Little River ² 9 a.m. June 11 ² Spring Wildflowers, Wild Plants & More with Lauren Stockwell ² Schoolhouse Pond ² 9 a.m. June 19 ² Hike Linekin Preserve with Larry Brown & Walt Kreppein & shelties, Finny & Jay Jay ² 10:00 a.m. June 27 ² Hike the Burley Loop at Linekin Preserve with Linda Burley² 9 a.m. July 1 ² Lobster Bake on Damariscove Island ² Balmy Days - 5 to 9 p.m. - rain date, July 2 ² Fundraiser to benefit BRLT - limited tickets $125 per person. July 11 ² Kayaking with Seth Barker of DMR and Nick on the Damariscotta River, 12 p.m. Shipbuilders Park, East Boothbay July 17 ² Night Hike with Nick & Tracey ² family fun! - Babb Preserve at Hendricks Head ² 8 p.m. July 25 ² Kayaking with Deborah & Arthur Pierce around and about the Sheepscot River ² from Knickercane launch ramp - 1 p.m. July TBA ² Mushroom hunt with Reinhard and Wolf Schumann ² time and place TBA TBA ² Memorial Grove dedication. Porter Preserve. Boothbay Region Land Trust Page 7 TIME TO PARTY B RLT relies upon many volunteers each year who donate their time and energy to help care for our preserves. Work parties are one way we care for our land and a great way for volunteers to get involved with stewardship. There is always routine trail maintenance that needs to be completed. Tasks such as trimming trails and painting EOD]HV ZLOO EH IXOILOOHG DW ³WUDLO FUHZ´ events. These gatherings are meant to be family friendly and less strenuous. More laborious projects will be done at VSHFLILHG ³ZRUN SDUWLHV´ ZKLFK PLJKW include building trails and bridges or cutting and stacking brush. These events are a great way to get outside, have fun, and meet new people. Keep checking the Stewardship link at www.bbrlt.org for the updated work party schedule. Interested in becoming an active stewardship volunteer? Please contact Nick at 207-633-4818 or nullo@bbrlt.org. BRLT...BRIEFLY 0RUH%5/7´$GRSWHUVµ %5/7·V $GRSW-a-Preserve program JLYHV %RRWKED\·V EXVLQHVVHV DQG RUJDQL]D tions the opportunity to play an active role in caring for our preserves. This year Hands of Thyme adopted Singing Meadows (and is caring for the Zak parking area), Knickerbocker Group DGRSWHG =DN 3UHVHUYH DQG 6KHUPDQ·V Book & Stationery is caring for Ovens Mouth. These organizations join previous adopters Bath Savings Institution and Hannaford. As adopters, organizations contribute YLWDO VXSSRUW WR %5/7·V (QGRZPHQW Funds, volunteer to clear trails at annual stewardship work parties, and adopt the preserve for a minimum of two years. In recognition of each adoption, BRLT posts the name of the adopter at the preserve kiosk and the business, organizes stewardship work parties, and publicizes the adoption in newspapers and the BRLT newsletter. Page 8 BOOTHBAY REGION LAND TRUST PO Box 183 Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04538-0183 Tel.: 207-633-4818 Please delete my name from the mailing list Nonprofit Org. US Postage Paid Permit #3 East Boothbay, ME 04544 The Boothbay Region Land Trust seeks to preserve the special beauty and natural resources of the region while providing appropriate public access and recreational opportunities. BRLT provides and promotes education about wildlife, ecology, conservation and local history. Scholarship Applicants Wanted BRLT is now seeking applications for Barge-McKee Education Fund scholarships for 2009. Applicants can be from Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport or Edgecomb. There is no age limit and the scholarship funds can be used to attend colleges, schools, camps and conferences involved in the scientific study of the environment. Scholarships have ranged from $100 to $1,000, and have been granted to dozens of students for studies across this country and abroad. The scholarships are awarded annually, and can go to one or more students deSHQGLQJ RQ HDFK \HDU·V DSSOLFDWLRQV Interested applicants who demonstrate need are asked to send a letter to BRLT explaining the program they wish to attend, their planned course of study, what they hope to learn and how the program is related to the environment. The deadline is May 1. Letters should be sent to the Education Committee, Boothbay Region Land Trust, P.O. Box 183, Boothbay HarERU 0( 7KH /DQG 7UXVW·V %DUJH- McKee Education Fund is named in memory of Lois Barge, a BRLT founder, and Ruth McKee, a longtime board member who had a particular interest in education. Voluntary Payments to Towns BRLT has made voluntary payments totaling $3,872 to the towns of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb for the tax year 2008. This is the 13th consecutive year that BRLT has elected to PDNHWKLV´JHVWXUHRIDSSUHFLDWLRQµIRUWKH WRZQV· UROHV LQSUHVHUYLQJ%RRWKED\·VQDWX ral beauty and character. As a non-profit organization, BRLT is not required to pay property taxes. Property tax exempt status is granted by the Maine State Legislature to non-profits that provide specific public benefit. The DPRXQWV RI WKH %5/7·V DQQXDO SD\PHQWV are based on the recommendations of the 6WDWHRI0DLQH·V)DUPODQGDQG2SHQ6SDFH Law for individual property owners, and is the same amount that individuals would pay in taxes if their land were held as Open Space and Forever Wild and open to the public. Boothbay Region Land Trust
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