History of the Purchase

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) owns and manages 3,075 acres of the Scarborough Marsh. The Scarborough marsh was purchased by the MDIFW during the 1970's.

At over 4000 acres, the Scarborough Marsh "system" is the largest salt marsh system in the State of Maine and one of the most productive marine habitats. MDIFW has listed it as an area of marine wildlife habitat that is of National / State significance.

The majority of Scarborough drains to the Scarborough marsh and river which feeds Saco Bay. The drainage area of the watershed is 59.4 square miles. The estuary is formed by the confluence of Jones Creek, the Dunstan River, Mill Brook, the Nonesuch River, and the Libby River. The Libby River subwatershed drains 9000 acres (14 square miles).

When the federal Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (RCNWR) was being created as a coastal refuge for migratory birds, the marsh's value was recognized. It was believed, however, that the rivers, tributaries and associated wetlands of the Scarborough marsh would be protected by the state along with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife purchase of the marsh itself. The RCNWR did not, therefore, include the Scarborough marsh "system" in the RCNWR acquisition boundaries even though its values were similar. Therefore, there are no ongoing federal funds to purchase these important wetlands. Similarly, the MDIFW, while recognizing the importance of protecting all of the parts of the "system", has also not been provided with the funding to purchase them.

By 1988, 30% of the Libby River watershed was developed. As of 1998 that number was 50-60%. The myriad of the salt marsh wetlands associated with the marshes, rivers and streams that flow into the Scarborough marsh, however, have not yet been protected, nor is there a system to protect them.

While Maine law prohibits developments that destroy critical wildlife habitat, critical wildlife habitat identification and official designation are essential for protection. Unfortunately all of the important habitats that need protection have not yet been identified. The Libby River wetlands is a case in point, at one time harboring endangered plants, and it is still indeterminate for fisheries.

Local land trusts are experts at taking one preventive approach to natural resource destruction. Acquisition of wetland resources, riparian zones and associated uplands for wildlife habitat and watershed protection is one of the most effective ways to address natural resource problems before they become problems.

The SLCT realized the importance of this piece of property in 1996 when it went up for sale for development. The coastal wetlands on the other side of the Libby River were already protected by the MDIFW.

Land Protection Success Story

Although the Libby River Farm was not the first parcel of land acquired by the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust, it was the first parcel to be purchased. The purchase, management, and stewardship of the farm was made possible by a major fundraising effort - the first such endeavor, and a possible risk for the Trust. It was a sensational success that raised $500,000, and will benefit the community forever.

Grants were received from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust/Maine Community Foundation ($5,000), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ($25,000), the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund ($60,000), the Berger Foundation ($6,250 SLCT portion), and the Davis Conservation Foundation ($5,000). Individual contributions accounted for 80% of the monies raised.

Our objectives were to acquire the wetland resources of the Libby River subwatershed and to protect wildlife habitat identified and not yet identified but likely to exist: shorebird feeding areas, water quality and wetland dependent fish and shellfish. The entire purchase protects a working farm, wetland resources, and upland and riparian zone wildlife habitat. It expands conservation education and is one step in protecting the entire watershed.

Projects on the Farm

Boy Scout Troop 39 and Americorps volunteers assisted in creating the Lucy Sprague Memorial Trail.

Forest Management Plan

"Cruise Report and Forest Management Plan for Property of Scarborough Land Conservation Trust, Town of Scarborough, County of Cumberland, State of Maine" by Rene D. Noel, Jr. is available on a separate page.

Scarborough Land Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 1237
Scarborough, Maine 04070
how to contact

Land Trust member Stephen Ferguson and Assistant Scout Master Bob Foley gain appreciation of why roadside crews are often seen leaning on shovels. Since most of the work of the trails required hand-tools, there were many opportunities to get to know one another. The SLCT hopes that Boy Scout Troop 39 will again partner up to enhance the accessibility of the Libby River Farm to Scarborough and its visitors.

Many portions of the trail simply follow a pre-existing wildlife corridor created by the many inhabitants - deer, fox, and even moose! Therefore, much of the work done by the Boy Scouts consisted of clearing the understory and widening what was already established.

At the bottom of the trail is a small spit of land between the woods and the pond that is used by a local farmer to cross to the second field. Two small streams must cross under this patch of land to reach the pond. Sedimentation from washout over the road has been slowly filling the pond. Here a group of Boy Scouts and a SLCT trustee work to dig a culvert and remove some of the sedimentation which had leached into the pond.