While many people are spending time on the trails in the summer, land trust stewardship takes place 12 months a year. We may not spend as much time outdoors in the harsher months, but the board of directors and volunteers have ongoing projects throughout the year.

We focus on keeping our trails clear for people to use in all season. We offer educational walks and talks. People recreate by hiking, fishing, hunting, snowshoeing, and skiing at our properties. Remember that not all lands are open to the public. Check out the best places to visit HERE.

This takes consistent, year round care from dedicated land trust volunteers. We offer trainings and work days so you too can help out on the trails! Check out our VOLUNTEER PAGE to learn more.

The places that are not open to the public are maintained for other reasons. Here are the primary reasons we conserve land:

There are properties which are reserved for the growing and harvesting of trees or crops. Did you know SVLT owns a very old apple orchard in Saco? Check out the APPLE RIDGE donation. And by the way- we are looking for a volunteer to mange this patch of trees!

Biology and ecology is major reason to conserve land. Some of these habitats can be left alone, becoming forever wild old-growth forests. However, some of the land we conserve wildlife is managed for it.

For example, New England Cottontail is a vulnerable species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). which means it’s population is decreasing rapidly. There are government initiatives to  create habitat in Maine that is suitable for the rabbits. This leads to altering the forest and promoting the growth of shrubs that are preferred but the animal. Learn more about this on the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.

The land trust will adopt some of these maintenance measures to ensure the land is being conserved properly.

Land that is not owned by SVLT but is managed by the trust is protected under conservation easements. These easements require yearly inspection to make sure the owners are properly managing the parcel.

Each property we protect is carefully surveyed and its boundaries are marked- even those we own. This is important so that we can see if there are any infringements at the border. It also allows us to keep track of the property and understand how is changes over time.

Above photo: Volunteer Janice Goodrow adds a boundary medallion to a tree at a property in Biddeford.

Volunteers help us boundary mark, clear trails, monitoring easements, and overall help us steward the land. Thank you volunteers!

Saco Valley Land Trust’s mission is to protect for future generations land of agricultural, silvicultural, recreational or biological significance, and to promote a more general understanding of the value of such conservation efforts.

Boundary markers are posted to identify conserved land.

SVLT conserves over 1,200 acres in the Lower Saco River Valley- Saco, Biddeford, Buxton, and Old Orchard Beach. Some of this land was graciously donated by families or companies that care about local land conservation. Land that is not owned by SVLT is instead protected as conservation easements.

Cranberry Marsh North is an easement off of North Street in Biddeford.

Land owners can grant SVLT a conservation easement which protects a property in perpetuity. In most cases, granters can dictate how much of a property is conserved and how strict the limititaions are.

An 8.7 acre  property in Biddeford known as the Moreau Donation.

Sometimes land comes through donation, and at other times the land trust is able to raise money for an important purchase. Our donating members provide the means to keep our operation running and not miss these opportunities to protect land for the future.

Middle Goosefare is a trail that runs through a 7.5 acre donation from the Brandt Family in 1996.

Donating land and granting conservation easements are a great way to make a local impact. With an easement, you own your land but allow SVLT to help protect it. This means allowing yearly visits so the organization can ensure conservation efforts are aligned with legal documents. You can allow public access and trail building if you wish. A granter determines the specifics of the easement while also playing a role in the management of the parcel.

Not sure if donating land or an easement is the best way for you to support local conservation? Email us with questions or request a meeting – connect@sacovalleylandtrust.org.

You can also make a lasting impact by volunteering, becoming a member, or sustaining business partner. Learn more HERE.

With Indigenous People’s Day this month and Native American Heritage Month on the horizon, we’re taking a look at the native lands of Maine.

The Wabanaki Delegation, People of the Dawnland, or People of the First Light, lived on these lands for millennia.

Wabanaki Map (Legends of America)

More specifically, the Penobscot Nation, (or Penawapskewi, the people of the place of the white rocks), existed throughout the Southern reaches of the Unites States’ 23rd state- Maine.

Penawahpkekeyak (Wabanaki Alliance)

In general, Native Americans of today’s New England managed the land as needed. They used forestry practices, even prescribed burns, to keep land fertile. Agricultural methods were used as well to grow food including the Three Sisters- beans, corn, and squash. This ‘companion planting’ technique was used most often by the Iroquois and the Cherokee nations.

Methods were learned by gentle studying of the land. Some techniques originate over 3,000 years ago.

Three Sisters (USDA)

Many Penobscot were fishermen. Living off of the Penobscot River by spearing and netting salmon or alewives. The river was a source of food, culture, and spirituality. These people belonged to the river- the river did not belong to them.

Native Americans did not take ownership of the earth and instead found this European notion of property to be ridiculous. As Western colonization progressed, indigenous rights vanished.

Over the last several hundred years, Wabanaki have lost their ties to homelands.

Tribal Lands in Maine (Wabanaki Alliance)

Several initiatives have been created to help Wabanaki reconnect to their home. Harvesting sweetgrass by native communities on Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park was opened in 2015, thanks to efforts from the National Park Service.

There are also instances of land trusts or cities returning land to Indigenous Nations. In 2020, Elliotsville Foundation gave the Penobscot Nation over 700 acres to connect existing tribal lands.

Harvesting sweetgrass in Penobscot Nation (Maine Beacon)

Land trusts, cities, and organizations across the country have put together land acknowledgement statements. This is a simple task that achieves only a small goal. Land acknowledgment by itself isn’t enough. Support an Indigenous Organization by donating money, volunteering, or returning land.

Learn more about Tribal Lands and the Wabanaki Alliance, go to: wabanakialliance.com/tribal-lands-in-maine

The summer heat is finally over and the bugs are in fewer numbers. A perfect time to get outside and enjoy a walk!

SVLT conserves over 1,200 acres in the Lower Saco River Valley. We manage wetlands, agricultural lands, riparian zones, and trails. Some of our properties have marked paths open to the public. Learn more about them below!

Apple Ridge

Nothing quite says fall like apple picking! Apple Ridge is a small property located off of William Ave in Saco. While appropriately named for it’s old apple orchard, the trees are not pruned so there is no guarantee as to the quality of apples.

Please to considerate while parking on this cul-de-sac road. Do not block driveways or park on lawns of the neighboring properties.

If you are interested in helping us maintain this orchard, please let us know! We are seeking a volunteer orchard manager. Contact Abby at awilson@sacovalleylandtrust.org

Middle Goosefare

This trail system is managed by Saco Bay Trails. It features a picnic area with tables and benches. One can bring a lunch and enjoy the view of a wetland.

There are two parking areas. The southern trailhead is located by the Eastern Trail John R Andrews pedestrian bridge. Additional parking is found behind the Citgo gas station off of Route 1 in Saco.

Thurston Mill

This property is located in North Saco off of Watson Mill Rd. A small trail leads from the road to the Nonesuch River. A kiosk  exists off of the road which describes the history of the property and features images of original Thurston family members. There is also a monument at the trailhead.

Across the street from this kiosk and monument, you can access another short trail on the Nonesuch property. This trail eventually leads to a loop with a waterfall. Currently (2023), we are replacing the bridge over the Ricker Brook.

Moses Woodman Preserve

This property features 1.5 miles of walking paths. The main trail begins at the gate at the parking area. It continues down to the Saco River where you can sit and take in the view on a bench or read about the Saco River Watershed.

Wildflowers, like this Fringed milkwort pictured above, and berries are all around in the spring and summer at Woodman. Bald eagles and songbirds can be seen throughout the property and especially along the river.

All are welcome

We allow recreating all year around including snowshoeing, cross country skiing, nature study, and hiking. Your dog can tag along but they must be leashed. You can visit these trails for no fee, 365 days of the year.

If you love these trails, consider making a donation or giving back by helping out!

Thurston Mill is an SVLT property in North Saco but it’s so much more than a place to hike. It features a monument and an informational kiosk with photos of original family members.

The kiosk at Thurston Mill, restored by Anatole Brown and Tom Ledue, features photos of male and female Thurstons.

The Thurston Family was one of many that harnessed the power of the Nonesuch River to produce goods.

Generations of Thurstons operated the mill and decades later several members of the family remain in the Saco area.

Thurston family members visited the site during an informational walk at the property in June 2023.

Saco Valley Land Trust celebrated this family by partnering with the Saco Museum and Dyer Library to present the history of Thurston Mill.

This series consisted of a presentation at the Dyer Library where museum educator, Anatole Brown, talked about the Thurston family and brought several artifacts to share.

WATCH THE PRESENTATION HERE

SVLT and the Saco Museum led a group (which consisted of several Thurston family members) on a walk of the property located at Watson Mill Rd in North Saco.

Eighteen people attended the walk to learn about the Thurston legacy.

SVLT proudly preserves land and history. The Thurston family is excited to have this site to return to and enjoys telling stories of what the land used to be like.

If you or your family has a property that you would like to conserve- for wildlife, agriculture, people, or history- contact Saco Valley Land Trust to discuss the future of your land. Email us at connect@sacovalleylandtrust.org.

Happy Pride Month! Celebrate by learning about current and past queer environmentalists.

Pattie Gonia

This drag queen uses her powers for good! Pattie Gonia (aka Wyn Wiley) wears sustainable fashion pieces and produces hilarious videos for social media to spread awareness of the climate crisis. Pattie is also the founder of the non profit The Outdoorist Oath. View Pattie Gonia’s channel HERE.

Rachel Carson

Everyone knows that Carson was a world renowned conservationist and helped spark the environmental movement, but not many realize she was part of the queer community.  She met Dorothy Freeman when she was living on Southport Island in midcoast Maine. While many still debate their relationship, it is apparent that the two shared a rich friendship. You can read more in the book Always, Rachel: The Letters of Rachel Carson and Dorothy Freeman.

Pinar Sinopoulos-Lloyd

Pinar is a queer environmentalist and indigenous advocate. They co-founded Queer Nature, a non profit dedicated to delivering naturalist studies to LGBTQ+, non binary people, and allies. They are also a member of the Diversity Outdoors Coalition, a trans ambassador of Native Women’s Wilderness, and the 2020 recipient of the National Environmental Champion award from the Audubon National Society.

Since 1970, we have been celebrating the planet and environmental successes.

Earth Day was invented to put environmental issues on the front page of the national agenda. The first year, over 20 million people demonstrated support for mother nature. This served as the catalyst for environmental policy and later that year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was created.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Several environmental policies were then enacted including the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, the Water Pollution and Control Act Amendments, the Resource Recovery Act, and many more.

To view the many milestones, from the 1960s to today, visit the EPA’s website! Also check out the EPA trivia game!

Fast forward 53 years and there are many ways to celebrate Earth Day!

Join SVLT and other organizations at the McArthur Library on Earth Day from 10 to 2 for an Earth Day Celebration. We will have games, prizes, crafts,  a clothing swap, information booths, presentations, guided walks, city cleanups, a group bike ride, and more!

Help clean up public lands! Saco Parks and Recreation is hosting a city-wide clean up on Friday, April 21st. You can sign up to help pick up garbage and prepare for spring activities at the local parks.

Biddeford Parks and Rec will also be hosting a public parks clean up. Join them for breakfast and the volunteer event on April 22nd! Register here.

After you participate in a clean up or get inspired by one of the many speakers from the Earth Day Celebration, head over to Portland and catch the Maine Outdoor Film Festival screening of The Original Mother.

Consider donating or volunteering! There is no bigger way to show your support for mother earth than contributing to a local environmental organization. Learn more about giving to SVLT on the How You Can Help tab.