Horan Head Residential sprawl and second home development is spreading eastward, reaching even the more remote stretches of Downeast Maine. When Horan Head, a 235-acre peninsula along the wildlife-rich shores of Cobscook Bay, went on the market to settle an estate, The Nature Conservancy negotiated a bargain sale purchase (well below the appraised value) so Read More
Bird Watching
Maine is fortunate to have an array of habitats that are great places to view a variety of birds, including North Woods specialties that folks travel from across Maine and beyond in hopes of finding. Grab your binoculars and favorite bird guide, then head out to view some of Maine's beautiful birds at these locations!
Jacob Buck Pond
With support from the Land for Maine’s Future program and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W) acquired an undeveloped parcel bordering Jacob Buck Pond to provide permanent boat access. The new site, on a Great Pond that had no previous public access, provides a launch Read More
Jamies Pond
In the conservation of Jamies Pond, everyone involved came out ahead. The former landowner, the Hallowell Water District, was able to get needed funds to develop a deep well-water source for its customers. By selling its land for less than the appraised value, the District helped make it affordable to those who sought to protect Read More
Jay to Farmington “Whistle Stop” Trail
For more than a century, trains passed through meadows, wetlands, and dense woods en route between Jay and West Farmington. After train service was discontinued, the rail company that owned this 15-mile corridor generously agreed to sell it for less than its appraised value — enabling the State and local communities to protect this valuable Read More
Jugtown Plains
With the rapid spread of development in southern Maine, it is increasingly hard for woodland owners to keep their lands in production. The Jugtown Plains property, located on prime, sandy soils within 25 miles of Maine’s two largest urban centers, was particularly vulnerable. It straddles three of the fastest-growing towns in Maine, which experienced population Read More
Kennebec Highlands
From the highest points in the Kennebec Highlands, a 6,400-acre expanse of wooded hills and wetlands just north of Augusta, one can see to the White Mountains, Mt. Katahdin, and the Camden Hills. Foreground views encompass the Belgrade Lakes and vast stretches of contiguous forest land – broken only by an occasional blueberry field, marsh, Read More
Kennebec Highlands — Kimball Pond
The 7 Lakes Alliance acquired a 278-acre property around Kimball Pond in Vienna. The property includes Kimball Pond’s headwaters (including areas prone to erosion), a tributary stream, and wetlands area. Kimball Pond is home to a popular fishing spot for brook trout. The Kimball Pond area is also home to sustainably harvested forestland. The goal Read More
Knight’s Pond Preserve
Knight’s Pond is situated less than a mile from both Cumberland and North Yarmouth centers and is suitable for a range of recreational activities, including ice skating, fishing, dog walking, mountain biking, trail running, snowmobiling, hunting, and more. Visitors are permitted to snowshoe and cross-country ski, although the trails are not maintained for these activities Read More
Kennebec River Access
The City of Gardiner acquired land by the mouth of Cobbosseecontee Stream in its historic district that doubles the amount of publicly accessible river frontage in the 10 surrounding towns that border the Kennebec. This 2-acre parcel triples the size of Gardiner’s waterfront park by linking the heavily used boat launch with another State-owned parcel, Read More