Maine A.T. Land Trust Director Tony Barrett, Executive Director Simon Rucker and Trust for Public Land Project Manager Gregg Caporossi made an site visit to the Redington Forest property last week.  As you can see from the photos, the land is covered in vast forests which are crossed with numerous streams.

The roads were in fairly good shape and the bridge crossings were the cause of only minor heart attacks.  Nash Stream varies in size from a rivulet a few feet wide in the north to a major stream – almost a river – in the south.

The southern area of Redington Forest ranges from about 2,000 to 3,000 feet in elevation, providing for sweeping views to the north.

As this was mostly a driving tour, we were not able to access most of the eastern portion of the property along the Appalachian Trail, but we will be heading up there soon enough and will post more photos.

There’s always a backstory when important lands are conserved, and the Orbeton Stream parcel is no exception.  Sometimes that story is straightforward and the path is clear – the story is easy to tell.  Sometimes the route is long and winding and full of ups and downs, but this is usually a more interesting tale.  This project leans towards the latter, but you can read for yourself how these lands came to be protected.  Click below to read a story by Maine A.T. Land Trust President Bill Plouffe and ATC Maine Conservation Resources Manager Claire Polfus about the genesis of the Orbeton Stream project.

Spectacular Terrain – AT Journeys Article Spring 2015

The Maine Appalachian Trail Club, working with Maine A.T. Land Trust and Appalachian Trail Conservancy, will begin constructing a trail up the eastern flank of Saddleback Mountain beginning this summer.  The trail will open up the possibility of a loop hike to Saddleback by using the Fly Rod Crosby Trail and the Appalachian Trail.  We will be posting further updates during the course of the summer.  The forest is very thick until the trail reaches the open ledges on the ridge, so MATC and their hardy crew will have their hands full clearing this trail.

The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust is pleased to announce that we will be partnering with The Trust for Public Land and the United States Navy on the Redington Forest project.  This 10,000-acre forest has outstanding wildlife habitat, landscape-scale connectivity potential and as a working, sustainably-managed forest it will continue to provide jobs for Franklin County.  This area has long been used for hiking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, ATV riding and cross country skiing by individuals from the local area and those who visit the High Peaks region.  These uses will continue under a conservation easement which will be held by Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust and the U.S. Navy.  There will be opportunities for new recreational trails as well.

At this time the land trust is examining the possibility of an ecological reserve component and certain high-elevation areas will be under habitat management for rare species like Bicknell’s thrush.  Development rights on the parcel will be extinguished, ensuring that these lands will remain forested in perpetuity and the Appalachian Trail will be buffered from incompatible uses.  Once the easement is acquired, Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust plans to use the protected property for recreational/youth group outings, stewardship and trail maintenance opportunities, and healthy lifestyle programs.

This project is a major breakthrough for Maine A.T. Land Trust and we’re going to need every bit of support we can get.  In the coming months, we will be posting more photos and maps of this very special property so you can see for yourself why these Appalachian Trail lands need to be protected.

We welcome any ideas for what you would like to see for Redington Forest and encourage you to get in touch with us.  This is a very exciting project and these lands will be open for public use, so it’s important to have your input.

A draft of legislation to enhance the scenic impacts to be measured when a proposed wind energy development applies for permits to construct the facility is now making its way through the Maine legislative process.  LD 911 would require more extensive analysis of the visual impact of wind energy installations, especially on immensely significant scenic areas like the Appalachian Trail.  Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust supports this legislation as a means of protecting Maine’s A.T. lands and you can read our letter to the legislature’s Committee on Environment and Natural Resources below.

LD 911 Letter of Support

Not one, not two but THREE Maine A.T. Land Trust board members received an award at the Maine Appalachian Trail Club’s Spring Meeting in April.  Bill Plouffe and Tony Barrett each received the President’s Award.  Tony received his for his commitment to a wide range of issues impacting the club as well as helping steer committees such as the Wind Power and ATC 2017 Biennial.  Bill was presented with his award (shown above – an old MATC trail sign) for his contribution of legal expertise to MATC.

Board member Bob Cummings received Honorary Membership for being a guiding force for the club, volunteering countless hours and holding leadership positions throughout his decades of service.

Tony was also crowned the meeting’s GORP Champ for his prize-winning trail mix.

Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC), the volunteer club that maintains and manages the Appalachian Trail in Maine, has a great new brochure (click the image above to see the whole thing).  Maine A.T. Land Trust works closely with MATC, whose trailbuilding skills are unmatched in the state.  This summer MATC will be building a new official A.T. side trail on our Saddleback property.  We will be posted maps and updates and even having a few hikes to the location.  Stay tuned…