Highlights from our 30th Year of Conservation
Our 30th year was filled with great memories, proud accomplishments, and a promising outlook ahead. Thank you for being a part of our history in conservation!
Governor Janet Mills speaking at the 30th Anniversary Estuary Shindig. Special thanks to Judy Kahrl for hosting us at her home in Arrowsic.
Colin Woodard and Commissioner Judy Camuso at the 30th Anniversary Estuary Shindig.
“In the beginning, we all knew what we wanted was to protect land. As KELT has evolved, the successes have been visible to anyone who looks. Our programming has expanded in innovative ways to benefit the communities that we serve. We have received two federal grants focused on wetland protection. We have increased land protection by donation and purchase, protecting habitat for many species and increasing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. KELT’s educational programming has engaged people of all ages. As our Accreditation indicates, KELT is a first class land trust. We still have more to do. There is a lot more land in need of protection. In the next 30 years, there will be many challenges to face. KELT will continue to need your support to keep building an organization that can sustain itself far into the future.”
Collaboration is key in lasting conservation! Along the southern shore of Merrymeeting Bay, KELT partnered with the City of Bath’s Community Forestry Committee to protect land to incorporate into the City’s Butler Head Preserve.
KELT Kids Summer Day Camp in August, held at the Holt Research Forest’s outdoor classroom along the shore of Sewall Pond in Arrowsic.
Protecting wild and unique homes for plants and animals - This black spruce/tamarack bog on Westport Island was protected in 2019 and is an unusual habitat type for the Maine coastline.
Volunteer work day at Red Rose Preserve - KELT’s first public preserve in Bowdoinham.
Opportunities to experience the estuary! Here, the Ladies Adventure Club learn to clam at Reid State Park with KELT and Municipal Shellfish Warden, Jon Hentz.
Red Rose Preserve Grand Opening in September. This preserve was created thanks to generous donations of land from two Bowdoinham families, who recognized the importance of providing a public space for people to connect with the outdoors and protecting local habitat.
90 volunteers help count 5,073 fish at the Nequasset Fish Ladder in 2019!
1,167 pounds of food grown at the LOCAL Garden and donated to organizations in our community in 2019! As an educational garden, the LOCAL Garden also welcomed over 500 local students in the spring and fall to plant, harvest, and care for growing plants.
Thanks to volunteers, KELT built our longest trail bridges to date at Red Rose Preserve in Bowdoinham.
Volunteers stepping up to clean up after vandalism in Thorne Head Preserve.
2019 Annual Meeting and Membership Celebration. We were joined by Carolann Ouellette, Director of the new Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, and Nancy Sferra, Director of Stewardship and Ecological Management for The Nature Conservancy.