7 Lakes Alliance Protects 270 Acres on Long Pond
7 Lakes has permanently protected one of the largest remaining undeveloped parcels in Belgrade, which provides significant water quality protection for the Long Pond watershed. The property has no paved roads or buildings, 1.2 miles of streams, and 17 acres of wetlands.
7 Lakes will develop a management plan to restore the land, which had been extensively logged. According to Laura Rose Day, Chief Conservation Officer, 7 Lakes will be actively stewarding this parcel with an eye toward reforestation for climate resilience, wildlife habitat, water protection, and longer-term recreation opportunities. This land will create new opportunities for a trail and nature-based education focused on the ecological and conservation benefits of healthy lakeside forests. The land will also protect the natural beauty of the area and serve as a valuable wildlife habitat.
Rose Day praised the entire Long Pond community, especially the Sandy Cove Association for their leadership and generous support to safeguard this land and to protect water quality in the lake for everyone. Local community leader Rich Sutton says, “This property may not look like much from the Dunn Road, but it includes wetlands and a single catchment area that flows directly into Lower Long Pond. Reforesting it and keeping erosion under control will be great for the lake as well as preserving the surprisingly beautiful views you get up toward the Highlands from some parts of the parcel. It was a very fortunate set of circumstances that brought a lot of concerned neighbors together to secure the property for the future. I’m really glad to have been a part of that group effort with 7 Lakes.”
7 Lakes is working to protect approximately 175 acres of largely undeveloped forest, wetlands and 1,250 feet of undisturbed shoreline on Long Pond in Belgrade Lakes. This land, which has high and unique ecological value is at risk of commercial harvest and development. The property retains a remarkable natural character with trees that a Colby scientist recently identified as being over 200 years old. The project provides an opportunity for nature-based recreation, including a hiking trail and bird watching opportunities. It will help ensure water quality and recreational amenities that support local residents, visitors and businesses alike. 7 Lakes was recently awarded a $288,000 Land for Maine’s Future Grant for a portion of the acquisition cost.
7 Lakes actively seeks opportunities to conserve land throughout the Belgrade Lakes watershed, including donations of land and land conservation easements. The current “Land for the Lakes” $1M appeal has a matching challenge: every donation will be doubled up to a total of $125,000. This appeal will support a revolving land fund to allow 7 Lakes to take advantage of land conservation opportunities that often have tight deadlines and get acquired very quickly.
Conserved land is the most cost-effective way to protect the watershed and provides benefits to our community and economy by offering new recreational opportunities, unspoiled vistas in daylight and an unspoiled night sky as well as significant wildlife protection, particularly in corridors of connected land. Lastly, forested land offers significant climate resiliency in the Belgrade Lakes region as it stores carbon, provides clean air, healthy water and sustains biodiversity. Please contact Noah Pollock at 7 Lakes if you would like to discuss land donation or land easement opportunities.
Download Full Newspaper: High Res | Low Res (Details…)
<— Previous Article • Summaries • Next Article —>
©2024 by Summertime in the Belgrades. All rights reserved.