During 1997, the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust [SLCT] raised funds to retire the Libby River Farm mortgage, planned a major membership drive, set a plan to manage properties held in fee, as well as planned for future preservation and conservation efforts.
One disappointment was the practical loss during 1997 of the use of the Old Eastern Trail, as a result of the 500 year flood in the fall of 1996. The wash outs were eventually filled in by the Town, but at the end of the year the Black Point Road entrance was under reconstruction for drainage and sewer work. The reopening of the trail is eagerly awaited by its many users. A management plan for the Sewell Woods sanctuary by professional forester Joel Tripp was accepted, and SLCT members, with hands on help from the Kiwanis Club, began its implementation in the fall.
Libby River Farm Management Begins
Several options for managing the forested area of the Libby River Farm were presented by professional forester Rene Noel, Jr.: passive recreational and educational use, encouragement of diverse wildlife, and timber management. Active management will begin in 1998 with work by Americorps volunteers to mark the bounds of the Libby River Farm, begin extending the network of trails, and pruning trees. A Berger Foundation grant will provide for a Camp Ketcha conservation education center adjacent to the Libby River Farm as well as access for Camp Ketcha's educational activities.
At the end of 1997, the SLCT held five parcels in fee, two conservation easements, one management agreement and one cooperative agreement protecting 224 acres of land, of which approximately 135 acres are open to public passive recreational and educational use. The SLCT pays taxes on land it holds in fee.
The maintenance of open space areas is a specific goal of the SLCT. This goal is met both by acceptance of land in fee, and by the acceptance of conservation easements from land owners who wish to limit the future use of their property to purposes which meet the conservation purposes of the SLCT. At least once a year the members of the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust monitor the parcels held in fee, and parcels over which conservation easements are held, to assure that the conservation purposes of the SLCT are being met. The SLCT is actively seeking additional monitors.
The SLCT fulfilled its educational responsibility in 1997 through three public forums at the Scarborough Public Library. In January, Judy Camuso, a staff naturalist with the Maine Audubon Society, presented a program on winter bird feeding. In April, following the Annual Meeting and election of officers and trustees, Forrest Dillon of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and David Rosen of LandVest, a real estate development company based in Boston but active in Maine, discussed practical and financial issues from the land owners' perspective when considering conservation alternatives for their land. In lieu of a summer forum, the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust celebrated its 20th year of existence in 1997 with a 20th Anniversary celebration party at the Prouts Neck County Club. In October, Dr. Nathan Hamilton, the chair of the USM Department of Geography and Anthropology, presented a study of his excavations along the Scarborough coastline. There is no charge to attend the forums, and they are followed by refreshments, courtesy of the SLCT.
The 1997-98 officers were Stephen Shannon, President; Steve Ross, Vice-President; Wallace W. Fengler, Secretary and Coordinator; and Shirley Withee, Treasurer, succeeding Elaine Warren, who retired after many years of service. Quarterly meetings are held preceding the forums, and monthly directors' meetings, also open to the public, are usually held at a member's home.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stephen Shannon, President
Scarborough Land Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 1237
Scarborough, Maine 04070-1237