Maine Heritage - Maine Coast Heritage Trust

More documents

Recommendations

Info

© SARA GRAY EASEMENT PRESERVES BAR HARBOR FARM The Stone Barn Farm on Mount Desert Island captured headlines in March when MCHT announced its permanent protection. Following the news, a flurry of grateful phone calls, cards and contributions to MCHT confirmed that this well-known property holds a special place in the hearts and minds of many local residents and visitors. The farm provides 128 acres of unbroken fields, forests and marshlands in an area experiencing rapid change. Since 1993, seven major developments have fragmented the rural Emery District. “The Stone Barn Farm could have been subdivided into 42 house lots,” notes senior project manager Caroline MacDonald Pryor. “Instead it has become the seventh conserved property in the Emery District, bringing the total land protected to more than 400 acres.” “I feel like we’re helping extinguish the fire of housing development that is running rampant in our neighborhood,” says farm owner Harry Owen, who with his wife Cindy has lived at the Stone Barn Farm for 40 years. “If you divide this land up into little housing lots, the character of the area will not survive.” The Owens, a retired school teacher and nurse, hoped to leave the farm to LONG-TIME FARM OWNERS CINDY AND HARRY OWEN ARE RELIEVED TO KNOW THAT THEIR SCENIC PROPERTY WILL NEVER BE SUBDIVIDED. CHRIS HAMILTON THE STONE BARN FARM, A BELOVED LANDMARK ON MOUNT DESERT ISLAND, HAS THREE BUILDINGS NOMINATED FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. their daughter and her family, but soaring real estate prices and steep inheritance taxes threatened their plans. After careful consideration, the Owens chose to retain their land while working with MCHT to extinguish future development rights. “Had they not taken this step to lower their property’s value,” explains Pryor, “their heirs would have had to sell the land just to pay the estate taxes.” “I’ve always felt I was put on earth to protect this land,” Harry Owen reflects. “Finding a way to do this has been on my mind for many years. Maine Coast Heritage Trust became the tool that will keep these fields and woods green long after I am gone.” WITH MORE THAN A MILE OF FRONTAGE ON THE TIDAL ESTUARY NORTHEAST CREEK, THE STONE BARN FARM PROVIDES HABITAT FOR EAGLES, OWLS, OTTER AND OTHER WILDLIFE. ITS SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL VALUE ENABLED MCHT TO COMPETE SUC- CESSFULLY FOR A $50,000 GRANT THROUGH THE NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION COUNCIL TO HELP UNDERWRITE PROJECT COSTS. 5 MAINE HERITAGE SPRING 2001 © SARA GRAY
I first learned about Beech Hill in the mid-70s while visiting a college friend in Rockport. Since I had never been to the community before, my friend obligingly played tour guide. “There are three cornerstones of our community,” he told me: “Beech Hill, Aldermere Farm and Andre the Seal.” One of those community pillars was destined to fall, being mortal. Fortunately, the other two landmarks will remain – embodying what local people love about their home terrain. Many of the places that MCHT works to conserve – properties like Beech Hill, Stone Barn Farm, Robinson Woods and Sayles Fields – provide more than beautiful scenery and valuable open space. They are lands that lie close to the heart of community members – properties that define their sense of home and Two local trusts recently met with success in protecting valued open space – places where local residents have long enjoyed walking, cross-country skiing and time outdoors. The trusts are now engaged in community fundraising to cover the purchase price and provide for long-term stewardship. MCHT is a partner in both projects, and will hold a conservation easement on the two new preserves. SAYLES FIELDS, SOUTH FREEPORT PRESIDENT’S COLUMN by Jay Espy LANDS THAT LIE CLOSE TO THE HEART Freeport Conservation Trust (FCT) JACK KENNEALY COMMUNITY MEMBERS RECOGNIZE THE PRICELESS VALUE OF BEECH HILL IN ROCKPORT. belonging. Loss of these lands would represent an enduring wound to the soul of the community. In our number-crunching world, it’s hard to assess the true value of beloved natural landmarks. Their full worth cannot be measured by appraiser’s reports, tax valuations or real estate comparables. You need only listen to community members, acquired 72 acres of fields and woods that rim the village of South Freeport. The purchase price of $800,000 was raised primarily from individuals in the neighborhood of the Sayles Fields. “People who have long enjoyed the property recognized the need for permanent protection,” says Katrina MCHT WILL HOLD AN EASEMENT ON ROBINSON WOODS, A NEW PRESERVE IN CAPE ELIZABETH. though, to recognize that these lands represent a priceless asset. One Camden native — a realtor by trade — recently described Beech Hill in this way: “It’s a place to simply go up and take a pause and reflect on things. There’s something very spiritual about the place – and I’m not inclined to make that statement about nearly anything.” Van Dusen, FCT President. “Community members value having open space close at hand.” ROBINSON WOODS, CAPE ELIZABETH Through a generous bargain sale, MCHT Director John M. Robinson sold a beloved 80-acre woodland to Cape Elizabeth Land Trust (CELT). The forest sanctuary along Shore Road has an extensive trail network, 300-year old trees and an adjoining parcel that provides ocean access. To help raise funds for the $750,000 purchase price, CELT has received a $250,000 grant from the Town of Cape Elizabeth and is a finalist for Land for Maine’s Future Program funding. 2 MAINE HERITAGE SPRING 2001 © SARA GRAY
Page 1: © SARA GRAY As one first ascends B
Page 5 and 6: © SARA GRAY © SARA GRAY “Beechn

Maine Heritage - Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?