Heather Perry Photo
The Estuary is an incredible place!
The Kennebec Estuary contains more than 20% of Maine’s tidal marshes, a significant percentage of Maine’s sandy beach and globally rare pitch pine woodlands. More than two dozen rare plant species inhabit the area’s diverse natural communities. Eight imperiled animal species have been documented in the estuary in addition to some of the state’s best habitat for bald eagles. Click here for the Beginning with Habitat Focus Area Description (PDF download).
KELT has worked with many great partners to permanently protect over 18,000 acres of land in the Kennebec Estuary; and KELT owns 1,600+ acres of land and holds 27 conservation easements on properties in Bath, West Bath, Arrowsic, Woolwich, Georgetown, Westport Island, Bowdoinham and Dresden.
To learn more about our public preserves please click the links in the map below.
Our public properties are available FREE to all; open dawn to dusk.
Groups of 10 or more are requested to contact KELT prior to use.
Please no fires, alcoholic beverages, off-road vehicles, camping or littering.
Allowances for hunting and dogs vary by preserve. Read the individual listings.
Click the buttons below to view which preserves are ideal for these activities:
Photo by Heather Perry. Aerial view of Bonyun Preserve on Westport Island.
Conserved Lands Map
KELT's Conserved Lands Map of the estuary shows all of KELT’s conserved lands (fee and easement; updated in 2017).
Pets on Leash Policy
Have a canine trail buddy? KELT believes that access to Maine's rich natural landscapes is important for people of all ages as well as their families and friends. Our families often include beings of the canine species, our dogs! Eight KELT preserves allow for pet owners to walk their dogs on the trails while the pup is on a leash at all times.
Leashed pets are welcomed at Weber-Kelly Preserve, Thorne Head Preserve, Sewall Woods Preserve, Lilly Pond Community Forest, Green Point Preserve, Whiskeag Creek Preserve on the Whiskeag Trail, and Segerstrom Preserve.
Charlie Darwin enjoys the fresh air and sunshine at KELT's Thorne Head Preserve.
Share what you see on KELT preserves!
Use iNaturalist to document the plants and animals you see while wandering on KELT’s trails. The observations you make will appear below, use the tool to check out what people have already recorded!