A Maine landowner has pledged to donate his 50% share of a 5-acre private inholding within the Bigelow Preserve, setting in motion an effort to permanently protect a scenic stretch of Stratton Brook and eliminate a private motorized right-of-way in the preserve. The parcel — a 5-acre lot surrounded on all sides by lands managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands (BPL) — includes over 1,000 feet of frontage on Stratton Brook and sits within one of western Maine’s most celebrated wild landscapes. The Bigelow Preserve encompasses more than 36,000 acres and includes seven summits of the Bigelow Range, with the Appalachian Trail traversing its ridgelines and peaks.

“This acquisition strengthens the long-term protection of the Bigelow Preserve by closing a key inholding and safeguarding a sensitive area near the Appalachian Trail. Just as importantly, this bargain sale reflects the extraordinary generosity of the landowners, whose willingness to give back ensures this landscape remains part of Maine’s shared natural heritage, open and unspoiled for generations to come,” said Rex Turner, Director of Planning & Acquisition, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands – Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.

The remaining 50% interest and associated project costs were paid for with funds from Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Wild East Action Fund and the High Peaks Initiative. “Every acre within the Appalachian Trail landscape plays an important role in safeguarding the beauty and character of the Trail,” said Dan Ryan, the ATC’s Vice President of Conservation and Government Relations. “We’re honored to support the protection of this property in Bigelow Preserve with a grant from Wild East Action Fund.”

“The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust values the partnerships that are committed to protecting the trail in Maine, and the acquisition of this parcel within the Bigelow Preserve is an example of this collaboration in action,” said MATLT’s Board President, David Kallin. “Our work with partners like the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and Appalachian Trail Conservancy will ensure that this remains one of Maine’s most special natural areas and one of the Appalachian Trail’s most treasured sections.”

The parcel carries a legal right-of-way which crosses near the Appalachian Trail at Stratton Brook and currently serves as a public corridor for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling, as well as providing access to the Jones Pond ski trail on National Park Service land. Inholdings of this kind can create user and resource conflicts, and if the parcel were developed with a camp or house, structures would likely be visible from sections of the Appalachian Trail between The Horns and Route 27. This acquisition ensures that the wild, remote nature of this portion of the Bigelow Preserve remains intact.

Located in western Maine about 40 miles north of Farmington, the Bigelow Preserve encompasses over 36,000 acres of public land managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands. The Bigelow Range includes seven summits, with West Peak at 4,150 feet — one of only 10 Maine summits above 4,000 feet. The Appalachian Trail traverses the Preserve along its ridgelines and peaks, including Avery Peak.

The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust (MATLT) is proud to announce our partnership with project leads the Northeast Wilderness Trust and the Trust for Public Land to protect the Moxie Pond parcel — a nearly 1,845-acre property in Somerset County’s Bald Mountain Township that represents one of the most ecologically and scenically significant conservation opportunities along Maine’s Appalachian Trail.

A Landscape That Exemplifies the Maine A.T. Experience

Situated in the Caratunk–Bald Mountain Pond priority focus area, the Moxie Pond parcel lies on the north side of the A.T. corridor between Pleasant Pond Mountain and Moxie Bald Mountain. Nearly 99% of the parcel is visible from the Appalachian Trail, making it one of the most prominent viewshed area along the entire Maine A.T. (among large parcels statewide, Moxie Pond ranks 7th for this metric).

Ecological Significance

The conservation value of this parcel extends well beyond its visual impact. Nearly 98.5% of the property remains undeveloped, and over 92% falls within a identified 34,959-acre ecological core block — part of the greater Caratunk–Bald Mountain Pond landscape. The parcel contains more than 1,077 acres scoring high for climate resilience and is contiguous with approximately 20,000 additional acres of climate-resilient land, making it a vital piece of a much larger refuge for wildlife and native plant communities in a region already feeling the effects of climate change.

Bald Mountain Brook traverses the property before entering Moxie Pond at its southwestern corner, contributing to the parcel’s strong ranking for active river area. These streams are a reflection of the significant elevation gradient from the nearby ridges of Moxie Bald down to the pond’s shore, where water winds down the slopes.

A Rich Cultural and Historical Landscape

The Moxie Pond parcel also carries layers of human history. The shore of Joe’s Hole was once a loading point on the Somerset Railroad, where logs were transferred for rail transport and at least one pre/historic tool-making site documented by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission lies near the shoreline. Today, the western shore of the pond is dotted with recreational camps and the Moxie Pond parcel will be open to the public for outdoor recreation.

Why This Partnership Matters

MATLT’s mission is to permanently protect the lands and waters that make Maine’s Appalachian Trail corridor one of the most treasured stretches of wilderness in the eastern United States. The Moxie Pond parcel is a priority acquisition in the Caratunk–Bald Mountain Pond priority focus area due to sweeping A.T. views, a large ecological core, and  intact forest landscape.

We are thrilled to be working alongside the Northeast Wilderness Trust and the Trust for Public Land – trusted partners whose commitment to lasting wild land conservation aligns closely with our own. Together, we are working to ensure that the forests, waters, and wild character of the Moxie Pond landscape remain protected for hikers, wildlife, and future generations.

The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust is very pleased to welcome new board member (and board treasurer) Jala Caron.

Jala was born and raised in Maine. She is a licensed CPA who currently works in the nonprofit field supporting individuals with intellectual uniqueness. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time experiencing Maine’s many outdoor activities including taking her dog kayaking.

Jala will be an excellent addition to the MATLT board, which oversees all of the organization’s work. The board is entirely comprised of volunteers who dedicate their time and professional skills to the mission of protecting the A.T. landscape in Maine (you can read more about them here). If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us at info@matlt.org.

The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust is very pleased to announce that the organization has been awarded a grant by the Quimby Family Foundation as part of the Movement program. The program is dedicated to creating and supporting opportunities for people to consistently choose, and meaningfully experience, nearby nature and wilderness through movement and activity. Many of the strategies that can achieve the program goals are ones that MATLT deploys in both conservation projects in the A.T. region in Maine, and in programs MATLT runs with partners in the landscape. These include things like:

• Deepening the bonds between people, nature, and one another through immersive wilderness journeys
• Growing outdoor recreation events to discover nearby nature and commune with neighbors
• Reducing barriers (social, physical, logistical) for people to access nearby nature and open space
• Creating, promoting, or restoring parks, gardens, and green spaces
• Addressing community disparities to encourage safe, equitable outdoor access

From the #WEOUTSIDE program to the High Peaks Initiative to the land conservation projects that protect public spaces, MATLT will continue to forge ahead and live by these principles. Thanks to the Quimby Family Foundation and our public supporters and partners for helping making this happen.

The High Peaks Initiative (HPI) is a collaborative of local, regional, and national organizations working in the High Peaks Region to protect these important natural resources, secure public access, and support healthy human and natural communities. The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust serves as co-coordinator of HPI and over the course of the past few years HPI has lead regional efforts to support conservation and recreation initiatives in the High Peaks region. The Appalachian Trail is a key component of the area’s natural resources, serving as a backbone across 4,000-foot mountains and large areas of protected land in which all forms of outdoor recreation take place. This latest publication outlines a collaborative vision for the High Peaks, based on partnerships not only among non-profits and governmental agencies, but with local businesses, clubs, volunteer organizations, and more.

This report is being circulated widely in order to get all hands on deck for the work to support one of the A.T.’s most special regions. Please take a look and share any feed back with us at info@matlt.org!