The Scarborough Land Conservation Trust [SLCT] dedicated two parcels of land, held two public forums, coordinated a trail cleanup, acquired a two and one half mile long trail management agreement, and monitored land already held in fee and land on which it holds conservation easements in 1995. Nine acres of land in the center of the Windward development called the Windward Wildlife Sanctuary was dedicated in September. The SLCT hopes this donation will become part of a wildlife corridor lying between the Spruce Swamp and the Nonesuch River. Thirty five acres of prime woodland known as the Albert G. Sewell Woods on the Ash Swamp Road was dedicated in October. The donor, Albert G. Sewell, was present at the dedication. The SLCT is obligated to continue the careful management of the woodland in the manner of Mr. Sewell's stewardship. Two miles of maintained trails for passive recreation and educational opportunities are available to the public year round. The trail entrance is located just beyond the intersection of Ash Swamp and Hearn Roads. At the end of 1995, the SLCT held three parcels in fee, two conservation easements, one management agreement and one cooperative agreement protecting 114 acres of land, of which 59 acres are open to public passive recreational and educational use. The SLCT pays taxes on land it holds in fee.
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. At least once a year the members of the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust are responsible for on site monitoring of parcels held in fee, and parcels over which conservation easements are being held, to assure that the conservation purposes of the SLCT are being met. As the obligations of the SLCT increase, the need for additional monitors also increases.
The SLCT fulfilled its educational responsibility in 1995 through two public forums at the Scarborough Public Library. In January, Wallace W. Fengler, SLCT Clerk and former Maine Outstanding Tree Farmer and Rene Noel, Jr., consulting forester, presented a program on forestry and woodlot management. In April, following the annual meeting, Andrews Tolman, consulting hydrogeologist, Denis Netto of the Scarborough Coastal Pollution Committee and Richard Haehnel, Scarborough shellfish warden and harbormaster, examined Scarborough's water quality from the headwaters to the ocean. There is no charge to attend the forums, and they are followed by refreshments, courtesy of the SLCT. The SLCT continued its practice of "hands-on" conservation by coordinating a cleanup of the "Old Eastern" on June 3, National Trails Day.
The Scarborough Land Conservation Trust completed its 18th year of existence in 1995. The 1995-96 officers were Stephen Shannon, President; Steve Ross, Vice-President; Wallace W. Fengler, Secretary and Coordinator; and Elaine Warren, Treasurer. Quarterly meetings are held preceding the forums, and monthly directors' meetings, also open to the public, are usually held at a member's home.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stephen Shannon, President
Scarborough Land Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 1237
Scarborough, Maine 04070
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