Stewardship is just as important to a land trust as is the protection of new lands under threat.  If good stewardship practices are not followed, lands are at risk and the efforts at protecting land can all be wasted.  This is true of lands that conservation organizations own (the “fee”) and lands over which a land trust holds a conservation easement.

Maine A.T. Land Trust is fortunate enough to work with landowners like Paul Comtois, who are good stewards in their own right.

Paul wrote an article for our Summer Newsletter about the process of putting his land in conservation, and he has remained an active steward ever since.  He’s even directed land trust staff and board members to other properties along the Appalachian Trail which he thinks might be a good fit for future conservation.  Landowners know their terrain better than anybody, and Paul is proof positive of this rule.