Harpswell Heritage Land Trust Now In 22nd Year

HARPSWELL: The Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Harpswell’s only local, non-profit land conservation organization, enters its 23rd year of operation in 2005.

First organized in 1983 as a supporting organization to the Harpswell Historical Society, the land trust got its start with the historic Tarr-Hackett house located on Harpswell Neck next to the old town meeting house. With the protection of that unique property ensured through historic preservation and conservation easements, the property was sold and the proceeds became a revolving fund to help the newly formed Harpswell Heritage Trust on its way.

The small board of new trustees for the Land Trust warmed to their mission. Local land conservation, still in its infancy in the United States, began to take on a more important role as America’s unique landscapes began to change with increased development during the 1980’s. In Harpswell HHT rolled up its sleeves and got to work. In 1985 and 1986 the Mackerel Cove field and Town Lot were put under conservation protection. Also in 1986 Whaleboat Island, already partially protected by the State of Maine, was fully protected with a second conservation easement. In 1988 a gift of 42 acres on Birch Island in Middle Bay became the land trust’s first ‘owned’ conservation property. By 1990, with the preservation of the historic Kellogg-Dunning House, the Harpswell Heritage Trust was well on its way. To the benefit of the town and citizens of Harpswell, over 1100 acres of islands, fields, woods and historic house sites have been protected to date. With a name change to Harpswell Heritage Land Trust in the 1990’s the transition from a small subsidiary non-profit in 1983 to one of Maine’s best land trusts in 2005 has been accomplished.

So what does the Land Trust actually do? The primary function of the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust is the permanent protection of ecologically and culturally significant land through either conservation easements or actual ownership.

And what is a conservation easement? A conservation easement is similar in its fundamental legal underpinnings to any easement which encumbers private or public property. It is a legal instrument whereby a landowner gives up selected rights to their land to a qualified entity (e.g., a land trust or government agency) which “holds” those rights, usually in perpetuity. The rights to develop the property, to exclude public use, commercially harvest timber, extract minerals, or practice certain types of agriculture are often those that are given away by the owner. By placing a conservation easement on their land a property owner limits, or relinquishes altogether, some of their rights in favor of a broader public interest. The receiving entity, the land trust, works with the landowner to tailor the conservation easement in a way which best protects the land’s natural and cultural values while meeting the landowner’s land use goals. This is often a delicate dance taking months or years of work, and requires a great deal of trust and cooperation between the land owner and the Land Trust.

Once a conservation easement has been placed on the land it then becomes the responsibility of the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust to ascertain, on a regular basis, that the easement is being upheld. HHLT monitors all of the conservation easements that it holds on an annual basis. Monitoring ensures that the landowner, the surrounding landowners, and the public are not using the land in a way that contradicts the covenants that govern how the land is to be used. With easements that do not involve any development (development meaning anything such as a cottage or house, subdivision, farmstead, trail system, agriculture, mariculture, silviculture or other human structures and uses) the monitoring is a relatively easy process. Where development is part of the conservation easement the monitoring is more complex and attention to detail more rigorous. HHLT has easements of both types. Enforcement of an easement is a cooperative effort between the landowner and the Trust.

And what does all of this do for the citizens and visitors of Harpswell? As our population increases and development follows close behind, we are losing that special “sense of place” that makes Harpswell the wonderful place to live that it is. For some it is the sense of familiarity, of knowing that home looks and acts like home. For others it is a rural and coastal quality that many move here to enjoy. Familiar landmarks, landscapes and wildlife anchor our sense of place. The Land Trust’s mission is to preserve and protect those spaces for current and future generations to enjoy. The preservation of natural spaces, farmlands, islands and access to shorelines ensures that we’ll continue to have a healthy environment which our children and grandchildren can enjoy long into the future.

The Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s 23rd year finds us working on new land conservation projects, identifying important spaces still in need of protection, running the 8th annual Nature Day Camp for kids ages 7 – 11, and planning new programs to educate and entertain Harpswell’s citizens about the wonders and benefits of living in this unique town. With an annual budget of $65,000 supported by the generous donations of nearly 650 members, there’s a lot to do. The sole staff member, supported by a hardworking board of 13 trustees, oversees the day to day details of running what is essentially a complex small business. From processing membership checks, polishing the details on a land protection document and creating trail systems, there is a wide variety of activities that keep the Land Trust busy.

How can you enjoy what the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust has to offer? The Land Trust has a number of properties open to the public. From the long loop trail at the Long Reach Preserve to the pebbly beach at Stover’s Point, there are seven different locations to hike, swim, picnic and enjoy nature at its best here in Harpswell. Soon to be open, the newest trail at the Skolfield Shores Preserve will add over a mile of new hiking opportunities in Harpswell, and access to the shore as well. For more information about the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust and how to become a member, stop and see us at our booth at the Harpswell Festival, or call HHLT at 833-5566.