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A decade ago, municipalities in the Midcoast region developed comprehensive plans for their towns. Two important goals emerged in many of the plans:
To achieve these goals, we recognize that protection of the working landscape - including family farms and small commercial woodlots - is vital to maintaining both rural character and water quality. Since 1995, DLWA, a land trust, has worked with private landowners and local, state and national conservation organizations to protect more than 900 acres of open space in and around the watershed. Chimney Farm Update 2008We usually have several land conservation projects underway, as landowners in the watershed seek to save their “special places from development.” There may be tax advantages to the donor of an easement. Although the town may lose tax revenues, undeveloped land does not increase town expenses for One conservation project, Chimney Farm, is particularly exciting. This lovely 89 acres of land on Nobleboro’s East Neck inspired nature writer Henry Beston and children’s book author Elizabeth Coatsworth, who lived and wrote together here for more than 35 years. Their eloquent chronicles of its pastoral beauty are part of what makes this conservation project so special. Land on the Lake is under heavy pressure to be developed - its preservation is important for maintaining wildlife habitat, retaining scenic value and as a buffer against harmful runoff. In the case of Chimney Farm, however, we are working to conserve more than just land. We are working to conserve a valuable place which inspired an American literary tradition of nature writing that continues to thrive on the farm today. We also want to protect a piece of history – the land and history of the New England farming tradition. Preserving Chimney Farm provides the opportunity to maintain a living tradition, enhanced by the vivid narratives from its historic occupants. Easement donor and former Maine Poet Laureate, Kate Barnes, has negotiated an easement document with DLWA which encourages actual farming on “Chimney Farm.” Working with caretakers Gary Lawless and Beth Leonard, their donkeys Jenny and Emmy Lou and neighbor Henry Oliver, DLWA has done field reclamation work (“brushing”) in 2005 and 2007. Efforts to save Chimney Farm from development began in 1997 and reached a resting point late in 2007 with all but 6½ acres preserved in perpetuity. Easement protection of two parcels of field with views to the lake was purchased for $225,000, thanks to some very dedicated fundraising and over 180 individual cash donations. The remaining 6½ acres with the farmstead buildings, is owned by the Beston/Coatsworth family and remains unprotected. However, DLWA has a right of first refusal should the property come on the market. Sara and Alexander Buck, Sr. bought the Chimney Farm property on the west side of the road. They donated an easement on the field and cemetery (and had a lovely replacement picket fence built for the cemetery); and in December, 2007 donated an easement on the remaining woodland between the road and Deep Cove. Henry Oliver manages the 60+ Acre woodlot as a “working forest.” Interest seems to be coalescing to restore Beston’s writing shack which is rapidly returning to Mother Earth. Donations of funds and/or building materials will be needed to accomplish that rescue. Apple orchard restoration work will commence on March 16 under the tutelage of John Fullford. FMI call Nancy Holmes at 549-3836. In addition to the current conservation projects, two hundred and fifty acres in four parcels are owned outright by DLWA. Included in this acreage are part of a mountaintop, upland forests surrounding mowed fields, a rocky stream, (part of the West Branch) a forested flood plain of Davis Stream at the head of Great Bay, and small eyeglass-shaped Spectacle Island in the South Basin of Damariscotta Lake near the public boat access.
DLWA Owned LandsMost of DLWA-owned land was acquired as a gift from Mary and Joe Fiore who have spent nearly forty extended summer seasons (May to October) enjoying the rural countryside. They have made it possible for DLWA to offer limited public use, through guided walks at all seasons. Cross country skiing or snowshoeing may be offered as well. Call or email us at 207-549-3836 or dlwa@roadrunner.com for details about scheduled events. The best way to explore the lower reaches of Davis Stream is by canoe or kayak. DLWA land along the west bank of the stream was purchased through a "bargain sale". The conservation-minded former owners, Jim and Barbara O'Halloran, could have sold the nine-acre parcel as a house lot at a higher price than DLWA could afford. Park at Damariscotta Lake State Park Memorial Day to Labor Day, and carry in to the lake, near the mouth of the stream. Contact us for a PASSPORT OF HIKE & PADDLE ADVENTURES, describing this two-hour experience and 15 other trips in Lincoln County, Maine. DLWA's riverside acreage will be protected under the terms of a "Conservation Easement" donated to the Damariscotta River Association.
Jones Corner Easement In 1995, Newcastle resident Patricia Geiringer donated a conservation
Maine has 88 land trusts (April 2001) with a combined membership of 60,725. Together they have protected 1,114,747 acres of land (251,587 acres owned and 863,160 acres under conservation easement). The Maine Land Trust Network (www.mltn.org) offers support services for the local groups. At the national level, DLWA is a sponsor member of The Land Trust Alliance (www.lta.org). For an in-depth look at conservation tools available to landowners, such as the "Conservation Easement" and "Bargain Sale", call or email DLWA and ask for "Conservation Options: A Guide for Maine Landowners". DLWA is a sponsor member of Land Trust Alliance and the Maine Land Trust Network. If you have a piece of property you wish to conserve by giving it to DLWA, a Not For Profit 501(c)3 land trust, or if you would consider a "bargain sale" or donation of a "conservation easement", please call 549-3836 or email dlwa@roadrunner.com to arrange a meeting with Land Trust staff. Conservation Options: A Guide for Maine Landowners, will soon be available through Maine Coast Heritage Trust's Web site at http://www.mcht.org. It will provide a comprehensive guide to tools for land protection.
Take a Google Earth TourTake a visual tour of DLWA Conserved Lands using “Google Earth”. To do this, you will need to have a broadband connection to the internet. You will also need to have “Google Earth” installed on your computer. If you do not already have “Google Earth” on your computer, go to http://earth.google.com to download a free copy and install it. Once you have “Goggle Earth” installed on your computer, click here to download a copy of “DLWA Conserved Lands Tour”, which is a small file that initiates your tour. Save this file on your computer either on the desktop or in some file location that you will remember. Once you have the “DLWA Conserved Lands Tour” file downloaded, go to that file and double click on it. I t will open in the “Google Earth” application. Once “Google Earth” has opened, click on “DLWA Conserved Lands Tour” icon to expand it so it displays the two files within that folder. Make sure the box in front of both of those files is checked. You are now ready to take the tour. Simply press the play button and you will be taken on a tour of DLWA properties. Click on the pause button whenever you wish and then click on the name of a location or the icon near it for a pop up description and photos of the property, links to trail maps and more information about the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association. This tour is work in progress. Not all pop up descriptions and images are available at this time. More content is being developed and will be added during the upcoming months. |
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©2003 Damariscotta Lake Watershed
Association |
infrastructure and services, and the scenic and ecological benefits are an asset to the town.