Since 1989, Blue Hill Heritage Trust has worked to preserve agricultural land on the Blue Hill peninsula. As part of this effort, the Trust sought to acquire an agricultural easement on Bowden Farm, an attractive 208-acre mix of woods and fields along Route 15. The Land for Maine’s Future program and the USDA Farm and Ranch Land Read More
Hancock County
Egypt Bay
As part of a Land for Maine’s Future project, nearly a mile of shorefront along Egypt/Taunton Bays as well as the title to two small islands, aptly known as the Little Islands, was transferred to the State of Maine. The shoreline tract has historically been used by Bald Eagles for nesting, and lies in the Read More
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
Marshall Island
With generous support from the Land for Maine’s Future program and private donors, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) acquired all of Marshall Island, which was the largest remaining undeveloped and unprotected island on the nation’s Eastern Seaboard. Marshall is located in Jericho Bay, between Mount Desert Island and Isle au Haut. With 981 acres of Read More
Mill Pond Park
Like many island communities in Maine, Swans Island has experienced a steady loss in public shore access in recent years. New development and changes in ownership have closed off lands by which community members once reached the water. When an opportunity arose to secure a waterfront park site, town residents acted quickly to acquire the Read More
Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land
Location: In and around Township 10 SD, 12 miles east of Ellsworth, Hancock County Description: The Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land unit includes mountains, pristine lakes, and remote ponds all spread out over 14,000 acres in eastern Maine. There are sites for camping along the pond’s beaches, and great options for those who enjoy paddling. Read More
Duck Lake Public Reserved Land
Location: Just south of Lakeville, northern Hancock County Description: The Duck Lake unit is comprised of more than 27,000 acres, just to the east of Grand Lake Stream. The unit contains Duck Lake and Gassahias Lake, which offer fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and snowmobiling opportunities. An Ecological Reserve has been established on the eastern portion of the unit Read More
Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park
Chosen By: Joyce Gracie, Senior Philanthropy Assistant Location: Cape Rosier, Brooksville, Hancock County Description: Cape Rosier borders Penobscot Bay, and the park is open all year at no charge. It offers a scenic road which is great for bike riding. Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park offers picnic areas, places for fishing, ponds, and beaches. It’s pretty secluded, Read More
Penobscot Mountain—Sargent Mountain hike, with swim at Sargent Pond
Chosen By: Pete Didisheim, Senior Director of Advocacy Location: Acadia National Park, Hancock County Description: To hike the Penobscot Mountain—Sargent Mountain loop, go to the Jordan Pond House and walk behind the building, to the left, to find the trailhead marker. The trail winds through woods, over streams, crosses the famous carriage roads, and includes Read More
