Report of the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust To the Town Manager, Town Council and Citzens of Scarborough:

The Scarborough Land Conservation Trust completed negotiations to preserve nine acres of wetlands as a wildlife corridor through a subdivision, and began negotiations to preserve 30 acres of woodland. The SLCT is organized for the promotion and advancement of conservation, education, science and related charitable and benevolent purposes. Parcels accepted by the SLCT in fee promote for the benefit of the general public the preservation of natural resources in the town of Scarborough. These resources include land and water resources with attendant plant and animal life, and special scenic, agricultural, natural and historic sites. Although land conservation trusts are not required to pay real estate taxes on lands owned in fee, under the terms of its bylaws the SLCT pays taxes on all lands which it accepts for preservation.

The maintenance of open space areas is a specific goal of the SLCT. This goal is met both by acceptance of land in fee, and by the acceptance of conservation easements from land owners who wish to limit the future use of their property to purposes which meet the conservation purposes of the SLCT.

In 1993 the SLCT addressed its educational purpose by holding four public forums. In January, Bill Silliker, Saco photographer, presented a study of the Saco Heath, and Kyle Stockwell of the Maine Chapter of the Nature Conservancy spoke of the Nature Conservancy's acquisitions in Southern Maine, the newest of which is the Saco Heath. In May, following the annual meeting, the focus was on trails. Alex Hopkins presented slides and a discussion about the Portland Trails 30 mile network, and our own Jeremy Wintersteen explained the practices of the Maine Island Trail Association. The July Forum featured noted Scarborough author, educator and naturalist John O. Snow who presented his slide show on Secrets of Ponds and Lakes. In November, Scott Ramsey, Maine Bureau of Parks and Recreation state coordinator of snowmobile trails, discussed considerations in maintaining a multi-use trail such as the Old Eastern, and Bob Fraser, president of Gorham Trails, told about the ambitious program our neighbors to the Northwest have undertaken, and their hopes to tie in their network with neighboring towns. All forums were held in the meeting room of the Scarborough Public Library and attendance ranged from 25 to 40 persons. Refreshments were provided following each forum. The SLCT forums are free of charge, however, donations are accepted.

Steve Shannon and Shirley Withee represented SLCT at a public hearing in April on the proposal to use Stuart Brook to transport tannery wastes from the Saco holding site. The SLCT also participated in National Trails Day, with a promotion along the Old Eastern. A modest grant was presented to a Scarborough conservationist for the furtherance of his conservation activities. The officers of SLCT are interested in talking with anyone who would volunteer to be a conservation monitor.

The SLCT has been in existence for fifteen years, and was formerly called the Owascoag Land Conservation Trust, after the Indian name for the area. Always on the lookout to forward the objectives of its purposes, the members of the land trust welcome comments from and discussion with anyone who has an interest in or potential contribution to land conservation. The officers for 1993-94 are Steve Shannon, President, Steve Ross, Vice President, Wallace Fengler, Secretary and Coordinator, and Elaine Warren, Treasurer. Quarterly meetings are held at the Scarborough Public Library, followed by the forums, and monthly directors' meetings, also open to the public, are usually held at the homes of members.

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