2006 Annual Report

2006 Annual ReportMCHT 6776 2006ARCover 6.18.07.indd 1-26/18/07 1:07:39 PM

Maine Coast Heritage Trust conservesand stewards Maine’s coastal lands and islandsfor their renowned scenic beauty,outdoor recreational opportunities,ecological diversity and working landscapes.MCHT promotes the conservation of naturalplaces statewide by working with land trusts,communities and other partners.As a membership organization, MCHT is supportedby individuals committed to protecting Maine’snatural beauty and resources.The Trust invites your support and involvement.Main Office1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 201 • Topsham, ME 04086207-729-7366Somesville OfficeP.O. Box 669 • Mount Desert, ME 04660 • 207-244-5100Columbia Falls OfficeP.O. Box 141 • Columbia Falls, ME 04623 • 207-483-6586Aldermere Farm70 Russell Ave. • Rockport, ME 04856 • 207-236-2739www.mcht.orgA Statewide Land Conservation OrganizationPeg AdamsAssistant to General Counsel andto the Director of StewardshipJane K. ArbuckleDirector of StewardshipDonna H. BissettMaine Land Trust NetworkAssistant / Office ManagerCeleste BlackReceptionistCindy M. BrouwerExecutive Assistant to the PresidentSusan M. ConnollyDirector of Administration & FinanceMartie CroneGIS/Land Protection AssociateBob DeForrestProject ManagerChristina EppersonGIS/Land Protection AssociateChris FichtelProject ManagerKirk GentalenRegional StewardBetsy HamProject ManagerRichard M. KnoxDirector of CommunicationsJonathan M. LabareeDirector of DevelopmentChris LambertInformation Technology AdministratorJames J. Espy, Jr.—PresidentMelissa J. LeeRegional StewardDavid R. MacDonaldDirector of Land ProtectionDaniel F. Mahoney IIIFinance AssociateKarin Marchetti PonteGeneral Counsel & MCHT ClerkDouglas McMullinRegional StewardPatty RenaudMembership ManagerBrian ReillyProject ManagerJeff RomanoPublic Policy CoordinatorMegan D. ShoreMaine Land Trust NetworkCoordinatorHeidi SmallidgeOffice Manager SomesvilleMartha F. Sterling-GoldenMajor Gifts ManagerJohn ToozeDevelopment AssistantTerry TowneRegional StewardCiona UlbrichProject ManagerPatrick B. WatsonProject ManagerWarren WhitneyAssociate Director of DevelopmentA L D E R M E R E FA R M S TA F FOn the cover:MCHT’s Williams Preserve at The Basin,Vinalhaven.© Paul RezendesDwight A. HowardFarm ManagerRonald HowardGeneral ManagerJennifer JardineProgram AssistantSarah A. PostProgram CoordinatorJeff SweetingFarm WorkerKevin WaltersFarm WorkerMCHT 6776 2006ARCover 6.18.07.indd 3-46/18/07 1:07:41 PM

A Statewide Land Conservation Organization2006Annual ReportWARREN WHITNEY

PRESIDENT’S AND CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGEMCHT’s Campaign for the Coast met with greatsuccess, protecting more than 14,000 acres, 125 miles ofshoreline, and 56 entire coastal islands. The Campaignsubstantially increased the amount of conserved land on thecoast, assuring that some of Maine’s most outstanding—andvulnerable—places will remain protected forever. We extendheartfelt thanks to each of the 1,086 individuals, families,foundations, and businesses that supported MCHT’sCampaign. Help from partners, such as the Land for Maine’sFuture Program and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,further extended the impact of private contributions byleveraging three dollars for every dollar spent.GAINING GROUNDrole, strengthening the capacity of the Maine Land TrustNetwork and our ability to support local trusts in theirimportant work.The Campaign has helped MCHT undertake a growingarray of stewardship responsibilities (from monitoringecological conditions and public use to overseeing traditionalcommunity uses like grazing sheep or lobster gear storage).RICH KNOXCOURTESY OF ARTHUR SPIESSMCHT joined with Passamaquoddy tribal representatives to celebrate acollaborative effort that helped sustain a sacred site of the tribe, protect significantancient petroglyphs and preserve a scenic and wildlife-rich whole place.The Campaign for the Coast marked an importantturning point in MCHT’s history. It helped us increase thepace and scale of coastal land protection, while setting asidevital funds for land stewardship and operating endowment.It raised the Trust’s public profile, making more people awareof how conserved lands enrich Maine’s quality of life at somany levels. And it enhanced our conservation leadership2 Maine Coast Heritage TrustThe work of stewardship can be complex on preserves that have a diverse arrayof scenic, recreational, productive and historical values (such as Malaga Islandin Casco Bay, shown here). In 2006, MCHT collaborated with the Universityof Southern Maine on an archeological dig at the Malaga Island Preserve.We are expanding our staff of regional stewards to helpaccommodate varied uses while protecting the naturalintegrity of the lands entrusted to us.The Campaign for the Coast set a new standardfor coastal land conservation in Maine, one that wewill maintain into the future. We pledge to sustain themomentum from the Campaign, working harder than ever asdevelopment pressures along the coast intensify.Your support, as contributors and partners inconservation, moves us closer to the goal that inspiredthe Campaign—“to conserve the best of Maine’s coast forgenerations to come.” We are grateful for your commitmentto the Trust and to Maine.Thomas IrelandChairmanJay EspyPresidentMaine Coast Heritage Trust 3

1Machias40PortlandAugustaBathMuscongus Bay5Penobscot Bay62112-141110Rockland15/161718198/9 7 20423Ellsworth26232422313632/3330293527 34252837GULF OF MAINE39382006 YEAR IN REVIEW SUMMARYProjects Acres Shorefront MilesGifts of conservation easements 11 84 4.0Gifts of land 6 128 0.7Purchases of land 15 867 10.6Purchases of easements 8 1,310 6.9Total 40 2,389 22.2SOUTHERN AND WESTERN MAINE1 KingfieldWith help from Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s RevolvingLoan Fund, the Western Mountains Charitable Foundationpurchased a corridor of nearly six miles along the DeadRiver. Plans are underway to establish a hiking/ski trail(part of a hut-to-hut system between Moosehead Lake andthe Mahoosuc Mountains).2/3 Muscongus BayMCHT now holds conservation easements that willpermanently maintain public access and sustain the wildcharacter of 140-acre Hungry Island and 15-acre Black Island,two properties traditionally enjoyed by travelers on the MaineIsland Trail. MCHT helped negotiate the islands’ transferfrom the Island Institute to Chewonki Foundation, which willuse the islands for educational programs.MCHT now holds conservation easements on Hungry and Black Islands inMuscongus Bay, both of which will remain accessible to the public—thanks tothe commitment of their new owner, the Chewonki Foundation.4 Owls HeadAn easement donated to MCHT enhances theconservation values of 225-acre Monroe Island by limitingfuture development to a single small building envelope setback from the shore. The new restrictions augment a 1973easement held by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheriesand Wildlife.4 Maine Coast Heritage Trust Maine Coast Heritage Trust 5© PAUL REZENDES

MIDCOASTMIDCOAST© PAUL REZENDESMCHT secured protection of two critical parcels in an ongoing effort to protectVinalhaven’s Basin, an embayment of great ecological value.5 NorthportA bequest gift of 60 wooded acres along the LittleRiver protects the future of this important wildlife corridorand scenic buffer. Maine Coast Heritage Trust retained aconservation easement on the land before transferring it toCoastal Mountains Land Trust.6 MatinicusMCHT transferred Two Bush Island (acquired in2005) to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for long-termmanagement. This nationally significant nesting islandsupports eiders, gulls and guillemots.8/9 VinalhavenTwo parcels with more than half a mile of frontage nowhelp buffer the Basin, a significant “whole place” and primehabitat for bald eagles, wading birds and waterfowl. MCHTsecured an easement on 59 acres surrounding Basin HighMountain, and purchased 44 acres by Steep Mountain andthe Basin Preserve—helping extend public access along theBasin’s eastern side.10 CastineThrough a generous gift of 31 wooded acres, MaineCoast Heritage Trust was able to expand its Witherle WoodsPreserve. People in the community had long sought topreserve this important tract, which includes shore frontageon Penobscot Bay.11 PenobscotAn easement gift provides a 650-foot buffer fromdevelopment along the Bagaduce River at the Narrows,where MCHT has concentrated protection efforts fordecades. The Narrows area provides high-value habitatto many species, including rare breeding sites for thehorseshoe crab.7 VinalhavenWith help from Maine Coast Heritage Trust,Vinalhaven Land Trust (VLT) acquired a small propertynear MCHT’s Carrying Place Bridge Preserve in the WinterHarbor “whole place.” VLT will own and manage thisshorefront property, which abuts its new Sullivan Preserve.An easement donated to MCHT along the Bagaduce River Narrows helps toprotect one of four significant breeding sites for horseshoe crabs in Maine.MCHT6 Maine Coast Heritage TrustMaine Coast Heritage Trust 7

MIDCOASTMIDCOAST17/18 Deer IsleGenerous local gifts allowed Maine Coast HeritageTrust to acquire an historic saltwater farm at the gatewayto Deer Isle which served as the island’s ferry landing forroughly 150 years. MCHT retains a conservation easementon the 22-acre Scott’s Landing property, which is nowowned and managed by Island Heritage Trust.19 StoningtonMCHT helped facilitate the strengthening of aneasement on 34 acres bordering Webb Cove. The easement,held by Island Heritage Trust, limits future developmentalong 4,000 feet of shorefront.20 StoningtonRuss Island, one of the most prominent islands in theDeer Isle Thorofare, will remain accessible to the publicfor nature walks and camping. MCHT helped negotiateits transfer from the Island Institute to the ChewonkiFoundation, and now holds a conservation easement thatprotects the island from future development.DOUG MCMULLINCompletion of three projects on Tills Point helped to advance MCHT’songoing effort to protect the scenic and ecological integrity of the BagaduceRiver Narrows12/13/14 PenobscotThrough three transactions, Maine Coast HeritageTrust protected nearly all the shorefront on Tills Point, animportant wooded peninsula by the Bagaduce River Narrows“whole place.” The integrity of this wildlife-rich area wasjeopardized by the unexpected sale and proposed subdivisionof two large parcels on the Point.15/16 Deer IsleMCHT acquired a 3-acre island preserve off Deer Isleat a bargain sale price, along with deed restrictions on theneighboring island (to protect visitors’ experience and viewson and from MCHT’s island preserve). Western Bar Island iscompletely undeveloped and has a well-established osprey nest.8 Maine Coast Heritage TrustHikers, picnickers and campers can continue enjoying the stunning views fromRuss Island off Stonington, thanks to the collective conservation efforts ofMCHT and the Chewonki Foundation.Maine Coast Heritage Trust 9© PAUL REZENDES

ACADIA REGION© PAUL REZENDESAn easement generously granted to MCHT now ensures that 94 percent of Bartlett Island, a large and prominent landmark in Blue Hill Bay, will be kept wild.21 DedhamMaine Coast Heritage Trust helped the New EnglandForestry Foundation secure an easement on 725 acres ofworking forest near Hatcase Pond in Dedham. The easementprevents future development while allowing sustainableforestry practices.22 Swans IslandAn easement donated to Acadia National Parkprotects a scenic stretch of shorefront on Stanley Point,complementing previous conservation efforts by neighboringlandowners. MCHT facilitated the easement transfer.23 Mount DesertThe owner of Bartlett Island in Blue Hill Bay donatedto MCHT a conservation easement that clusters all futureresidences into a limited area near the existing farm, keepingthe vast majority of the 2,100-acre island undeveloped. Thisrecent easement augments one previously donated to theTown of Mt. Desert.10 Maine Coast Heritage Trust24 Mount DesertFolly Island, an undeveloped island at the southern endof Bartlett Narrows, lies along a popular kayaking route. Theisland’s former owners generously donated this property toMCHT, which is transferring a “forever wild” easement onthe island to Acadia National Park.25 TremontA private landowner gave Maine Coast Heritage Trustfive acres of forests and fields bordering Bass Harbor inTremont. This new community preserve offers attractiveharbor views.26 Bar HarborMCHT received a gift of 17 acres of wetlands and awooded knoll that offers public access so people can enjoythe quiet beauty of Pray’s Brook Marsh. The new preserveadjoins land with conservation restrictions held by AcadiaNational Park.Maine Coast Heritage Trust 11

ACADIA REGION27 Southwest HarborAn easement donated to Maine Coast Heritage Trustnow protects 8 acres of woods and 3 acres of freshwaterponds and marshland bordering Western Way. The familythat has held this land since 1937 worked collaboratively topreserve the property’s natural and scenic values.ACADIA REGION32/33 Salisbury CoveThe Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory and aneighboring private landowner each donated a conservationeasement to MCHT, protecting land by the lab’s SalisburyCove campus. These properties bordering Route 3 includewoodlands and a small wetland.34 Mount DesertA bargain sale and generous support from the localcommunity enabled MCHT to acquire 16 acres at the baseof Norumbega Mountain. The newly protected parcel,which includes parts of a popular community trail network,adjoins Acadia National Park and two private propertiesprotected by conservation easements.35 Mount DesertMCHT helped Acadia National Park and the Town ofMount Desert clarify restrictive covenants in the SchoolhouseLedge area. The covenants allow for continued use of a populartrail network from Northeast Harbor village into the Park.BRIAN REILLYMCHT now holds a conservation easement on the longest remaining stretch ofunbroken shoreline along Western Way between Fernald’s Neck and the Parkland at Seawall in Manset.28/29/30 Southwest Harbor/Mount Desert/Bar HarborMaine Coast Heritage Trust helped a private foundationpurchase three properties on Mount Desert Island forfuture transfer to Acadia National Park. Ranging from tidalwetlands on Bass Harbor Marsh to prominent road frontagealong the approach to Bar Harbor, these parcels help roundout the Park’s boundaries.31 Bar HarborMCHT purchased North Twinnie Island through a“bargain sale” (below market value). Protection of this 3-acreisland completes the conservation of an archipelago thatincludes Thomas Island (purchased by MCHT in 2005) andSouth Twinnie Island (conserved by MCHT and now ownedby U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).12 Maine Coast Heritage TrustA conservation donation of 12 acres along Northeast Creek will protect thispristine estuary in the heart of Mount Desert Island.36 Bar HarborThe headwaters of Northeast Creek will benefit fromthe gift in fee of 12 wetland acres to Acadia National Park.Maine Coast Heritage Trust negotiated the transfer of thiswetland, which is a popular setting for canoeing, kayakingand wildlife observation.Maine Coast Heritage Trust 13RICH KNOX

DOWNEAST37 MilbridgeMaine Coast Heritage Trust helped negotiate long-termprotection of 20 acres of an organic farm on the BeaverMeadow Brook salt marsh. An easement held by Great AukLand Trust protects nearly half a mile of shore frontage inthis significant “whole place.”38 MachiasportWith help from the Land for Maine’s Future Program,MCHT acquired a 28-acre tract that encompasses much ofJasper Beach, a popular community landmark. The Trustplans to transfer the property to the Town of Machiasportfollowing approval by town voters.LAND TRUST LEADERSHIPMaine Coast Heritage Trust recently upgraded itsConserved Lands Registry (formerly the ConservationEasement Registry), which allows land trusts andconservation entities throughout Maine to record andupdate their land holding information via a passwordprotectedweb site.With help from MCHT, the Maine Coast ProtectionInitiative (a cooperative effort to strengthen coastal landconservation) provided local and regional organizations withmore than $250,000 in capacity-building grants and $70,000in GIS support grants.Thanks to a generous three-year grant from the Jessie B.Cox Charitable Trust, Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN) willbegin offering member trusts individualized training, consultingand mentoring to help advance permanent land protection.PATRICK WATSONThanks to support from MCHT and the Land for Maine’s Future Program,residents downeast now have guaranteed access to Jasper Beach.39 MachiasportMaine Coast Heritage Trust purchased for thePassamoquoddy Tribe the 5.5-acre “Picture Rocks” site(which contains prehistoric petroglyphs and will besubmitted to the National Register of Historic Places).In turn, the Tribe gave MCHT an easement on 312 acresbordering Moose Snare Cove that ensures this sensitive landin a “whole place” will remain free from development.40 PembrokeGenerous support from a National Coastal Wetlands Granthelped Quoddy Regional Land Trust acquire a critical parcelwith nearly 2 shorefront miles bordering Cobscook Falls. MCHThelped negotiate a “bargain sale” acquisition and an easement ona small inholding within the larger public preserve.LAND HERITAGE AWARDMCHT’s 2006 Land Heritage Award goes to Tin Smith,a farmer and conservationist from Wells. Smith helpedfound Great Works Regional Land Trust (GWRLT) twodecades ago when he realized that “something important wasdisappearing forever” from the Southern Maine countryside.Smith has played a critical role building the skills andprofessionalism of the land trust community in an area withgreat biological diversity and a growth rate four times thestate average. He has mentored many colleagues, servedon the MLTN Steering Committee, and helped launchthe regional partnership that evolved into the successfulMt. Agamenticus to the Sea Initiative. “Tin’s passion forconservation extends through every aspect of his life,”observes Megan Shore, MLTN Coordinator. In nominatingSmith for this year’s award,a colleague wrote “I canthink of no one who hashad a greater impact onour region or who hasbeen more willing toshare his experience withthe broader land trustcommunity than Tin.”RICH KNOX14 Maine Coast Heritage TrustMaine Coast Heritage Trust 15

MCHTSTEWARDSHIPMCHT’s stewardship responsibilities continued to growin 2006 with the acquisition of 13 new easements (totaling2,812 acres) and 14 new properties (totaling 282 acres). TheTrust hired a new regional steward to care for the growingnumber of preserves in the Castine/Deer Isle area.Conservation innovation funding helped the Trustbegin pioneering research on a dozen of its island preserves,working to establish predictive models of how human usemay affect nesting bird populations. Trust staff hope to learnmore about where migratory birds concentrate (i.e., towardthe shore or in the island interior) and where best to routetrails to minimize disturbance to the birds.Members of the Maine Conservation Corps helped MCHT to construct half ofthe 8-mile trail network planned for Marshall Island.With help from the Maine Conservation Corps, MCHTextended its Marshall Island trail network during 2006,completing 4 miles of the planned 8-mile network.Aldermere Farm had a successful year, with a markedincrease in youth programs due to popular demand. Thevolunteer Farm Hands program now runs year-round, withafter-school, summer and home school offerings. Farm staffare offering tours for area schoolchildren, the Aldermere4-H Club is at capacity, and the Farm is hosting a newecology camp in the summer.Aldermere received grants from MBNA (Bank ofAmerica) and the Maine Forest Service to eradicateinvasive plants on the property and educate farm visitorsand neighbors about means of controlling aggressive,non-native plants. The Farm also received a Departmentof Environmental Protection grant to improve the waterquality in Lily Pond.PUBLIC POLICYMaine Coast Heritage Trust supported effortsby the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) to expand federalconservation tax incentives. The new law, which appliesto donations made in 2006 and 2007, raises the deductionfor donating a conservation easement from 30 percent to50 percent of the year’s adjusted gross income (and up to100 percent for qualifying farmers). The law also extendsthe carry-forward period for taking those deductions from5 to 15 years. MCHT will be coordinating efforts withLTA during 2007 to make these changes permanent.The Trust helped fund a major new report entitledCharting Maine’s Future: An Action Plan for PromotingSustainable Prosperity and Quality Places. Sponsored byGrowSmart Maine and written by the BrookingsInstitution, this 144-page report summarizes key patternsin Maine’s economic development and recommendsspecific measures to increase the state’s prosperity(including an increased commitment to land conservation).MCHT partnered with Working WaterfrontCoalition members to secure passage of two importantbills in the state legislature: a new current use taxprogram for commercial fishing properties and a workingwaterfront covenant law that helps relieve developmentpressure on coastal properties important to the state’sfishing industry.MCHT supported two bills to help protect Maine's working waterfronts.RICH KNOX16 Maine Coast Heritage TrustMaine Coast Heritage Trust 17

GIFTS THROUGH TIMEFINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTSHugh McLellan Russell spent his life along the LittleRiver in Northport, as two earlier generations of his familyhad done. He devoted his later years to acquiring adjoininglands so that the area would remain wild. Coyotes, fox andbeaver roam beneath mature pines and healthy stands ofspruce, fir and hemlock.In 1997, Mr. Russell met with Maine Coast HeritageTrust to learn about conservation options. He ultimatelydecided to bequeath his 60 acres to MCHT and in 2006,following his death, the Trust received the land. “Weare honored to share in the permanent protection of thisimportant property,” observes MCHT Development DirectorJonathan Labaree. MCHT retained a conservation easement(ensuring that the land remains undeveloped and accessible)before transferring ownership to Coastal Mountains LandTrust, which will provide long-term stewardship.“In his bequest, Mr. Russell included a small house lotnearby, fronting on Penobscot Bay, that he indicated couldbe sold to help fund stewardship of the larger preserve,”Labaree notes. “This added gift will help cover the initialproject costs, and the land’s ongoing care. Mr. Russell wasvery thoughtful and thorough in considering how best topreserve through time the land he loved.”PROGRAM REVENUES2006 ActualCampaign for the Coast Donations* $ 5,576,555Unrestricted Contributions 1,200,239Restricted Contributions/Grants 1,269,692Investment IncomeUsed for Operations 1,340,592Other Revenue 22,030Totals $ 9,409,108Where do your generouscontributions to MCHT go?LAND PROTECTION 80%STEWARDSHIP 9%PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 7%FUNDRAISING 4%PROGRAM EXPENDITURESLand Protection (80%) $ 4,757,935Stewardship (9%) 546,452Public Education and Outreach (7%) 228,712Fundraising (4%) 408,446Totals $ 5,941,545Restricted ReservesDonor-Restricted for Campaignfor the Coast** $ 3,467,563MCHTThe 60 acres conserved as part of the McLellan Russell bequest help protect thenatural integrity of the Little River and afford hikers an array of scenic hikingtrails close to Belfast.18 Maine Coast Heritage TrustNotes on Financial InformationMaine Coast Heritage Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under section 501(c)(3) of theInternal Revenue Code, a publicly supported organization as defined in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) andnot a private foundation under Section 509(a). Contributions are tax-deductible. I.R.S. #23-7099105.Audited financial statements and opinion letter for 2005 were prepared by Berry, Dunn,McNeil & Parker, CPAs, Bangor, Maine. Copies available upon request.* Under Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP), revenue includes contributions pledgedbut not paid as of year end. This schedule reflects actual contributions received in the year 2006.It does not include outstanding pledges or values of gifts of land.** Total of restricted reserves gifts dedicated for future land acquisition, stewardship,operating endowments and conservation leadership efforts.Maine Coast Heritage Trust 19

BOARD OF DIRECTORSThomas E. IrelandChairSally C. JacobsVice ChairPeter QuesadaVice ChairPeter L. ChandlerTreasurerBurt AdelmanAnne T. BassForrest BerkleyRobert O. BlakeEdmund B. CabotGale L. DavisCarol DonnellyDianna K. EmoryJohn H. J. GuthHorace A. Hildreth, Jr.Alix W. HopkinsDawn E. KiddKurt KlebeEvan D. RichertDoris (Didi) StocklyJohn D. TewheyPaula VolentLinzee WeldCOUNCIL MEMBERSBonnie LounsburyGordon Abbott, Jr.Rachel F. ArmstrongElmer Beal, Jr.Patricia H. BlakeThomas E. BradburyJulia L. BradyJasper C. Cates, Jr.Albert M. Creighton, Jr.Philip DeNormandieCharles W.H. DodgeAnne M. FranchettiFrancis W. HatchElizabeth B. JohnsonJohn M. KauffmannChairCaroline MacomberAntony M. MerckE. Van R. Milbury (Morley)Peter W. RandMary C. ReaJohn R. RobinsonRoxana RobinsonRichard G. RockefellerRichard A. SpencerElizabeth A. StrausGeorge H. TaberRichard J. WarrenHarold E. Woodsum, Jr.William J. ZwartjesFOUNDERSThomas D. Cabot (1897-1995)Margaret M. Rockefeller (1915-1996)Printed on Astrolite PC100 (100% post-consumer recycled stock)Design: Ethos Marketing and Design–Westbrook, Maine