July 17 – 23, 2026Vol. 28, No. 6

Mount Phillip Conservation Area Expanded

by Laurie Raleigh and Noah Pollock

With sweeping views of Great Pond and well-worn trails, Mount Phillip has long been a cherished landmark. Its protection is the result of extraordinary community commitment that began more than two decades ago and has now come full circle. In the early 2000s, as Mead Paper Company divested its holdings, the Belgrade Lakes community stepped forward. With leadership from the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (BRCA), a predecessor to 7 Lakes Alliance, and in partnership with Pine Island Camp, nearly 200 acres on the front side of Mount Phillip were conserved. Today, that story continues, as once again, the community rallied to support its conservation.

7 Lakes Alliance recently acquired an adjacent 133-acre parcel on the mountain’s north side. Leadership support came from a number of dedicated donors, including Jack and Diana Schultz, Pine Island Camp, and Bob Hogan, who made a final leadership gift toward the protection of Mount Phillip before his passing at age 99. 7 Lakes also received funding through the State of Maine’s Land for Maine’s Future Program to help complete the acquisition.

The property contains 76 acres of deer wintering habitat and 3.4 acres of wetlands and was at risk of a commercial timber harvest that could have impacted the water quality of Great Pond. 7 Lakes intends to manage the land as a nature preserve, open for all to enjoy. With striking rock ledges and elevated viewpoints offering expansive vistas, the property will provide new recreational opportunities. Thoughtful stewardship will also expand trail connections and deepen public access to and appreciation of this iconic landscape. At its heart, Mount Phillip’s story is about neighbors stepping up when it matters most to protect the places they love. Conservation is rarely a single moment; it is a commitment sustained across decades and generations — a legacy carried forward by those who care deeply about the future. Thanks to the enduring vision and generosity of this community, Mount Phillip will remain a place of discovery, peace, and reflection for generations to come.

Laurie Raleigh and Noah Pollack are, respectively, the advancement director and and the land conservation director for 7 Lakes Alliance.

Mt. Phillip, as seen from Great Pond. Mt. Phillip is the hump left of center; on the right are Chute Island and Jamaica Point.

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