Great Works Regional Land Trust - Great Works Regional Land Trust
Focus Areas
York Pond Region
The primary goal for the conservation of the York Pond area is the protection of wildlife habitat, followed by water quality then passive recreation.This effort has been supported by diverse entities, from Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy to the Wild Turkey Federation of America and South Berwick Rod & Gun Association.
20 Years Working Together in the York Pond Area
Bauneg Beg Mountain
Bauneg Beg Mountain is the only mountain in southern Maine that does not have a radio tower on it. Encompassing 3 peaks and reaching 866’, it is taller than Mt. Agamenticus and has been used by mariners to navigate the Maine Coast. This area is characterized by rolling forested hills, broad stream valleys and numerous swamps. It is home to one of the rarest orchids in the Eastern United States.Beaver Dam Heath
Beaver Dam Heath is a 1,500+ acre mosaic of wetland and upland forests, one of the few unfragmented wetland complexes remaining in the southern region of Maine. It provides critical habitat to two rare animal species (the Blanding’s turtle and the spotted turtle) and one rare plant species, the Atlantic white cedar. It lies mostly in Berwick, north of Route 9, south of Old Sanford Road, and west of Diamond Hill Road in North Berwick.
| A great sense of isolation exists within the heath since none of the surrounding hills are visible from the interior, and none of the heath is visible from the surrounding hills. - Bill Bryan, Great Works newsletter Winter/Spring 2008 |
 |
Beaver Dam Heath, A HiddenTreasure
Mt. Agamenticus
The Mt. Agamenticus region is the largest unfragmented coastal forestland north of the New Jersey Pine Barrens and south of Acadia National Park. Two forest types, northern softwood and southern hardwood, overlap here to create the richest species diversity and the largest number of plant and animal species in the entire state. The Mt. A region includes portions of three watersheds (York, Great Works and Ogunquit Rivers), contains 40 miles of streams that feed lakes & ponds that in turn provide drinking water to 9 communities.Farmland Protection
Productive agricultural land is a finite and irreplaceable natural resource. Fertile soils are the result of climate, geology and biology and take thousands of years to develop. Farmlands are most often located near rivers, streams and roads, making them ideal location for development. Every year over 4,000 acres of Maine farmland are converted into developed uses and with them we lose the opportunity for local food production and critical habitat for other species.
Across the country, 2 acres of farmland are lost every minute. Here in Maine, 400,000 acres of farmland will be changing hands in the next 10 years, just due to the age of our farming community.
Now is the time to act. According to GrowSmart Maine, if the tillable portion of Maine's currently active farmland is developed at the same rate as it was during the past decade, most of Maine's productive farmland will disappear in the next 45 years.
We invite you to learn more, buy local and getting involved today by making a donation to the Great Works Farmland Fund today.
GWRLT's Farmland Protection Synopsis and FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) link to pdf
GWRLT's Farmland White Paper link to pdf
Watershed Protection
Like farmland, fresh water is a finite and limited resource. Studies show that just 6–10% coverage of a watershed with impermeable surfaces will result in degraded water quality in streams and rivers. The conservation of open space allows soils to filter rainwater. Protection of wetlands provides rich habitat for birds, amphibians and reptiles along with critical storm water catchment and protection from flooding.
Great Works Regional Land Trust, PO Box 151, South Berwick, ME 03908
Office Location: 610 Main St, Ogunquit ME
207-646-3604 email : info@gwrlt.org