Site updated 2/22/10 Note: Winter Horizons 2010 is available click Newsletters on the left
MISSION STATEMENT
To preserve and protect forever such valued natural resources as lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, agricultural lands, woodlands, historic sites, scenic places and wildlife habitat, in the inland municipalities of York County, Maine. (Acton, Alfred, Lebanon, Sanford/Springvale, Shapleigh)
To Learn about our easements go to the "About 3RLT" page
3RLT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next regular Board meeting is March 10 at 6:45 PM Springvale Library.
Our Annual Meeting in February was well attended with special guest speaker Melissa Brandt from York County Soil and Water Conservation District. She spoke about the threat and identification of the Asian Longhorn Beetle.
New Board members were elected: Rick Kaye-Schiess; Dora Spedding; Fred Frodyma; Melissa Brandt
2009 Yields another 145 acres of farm land protected by Three Rivers easements!
December 28 3RLT closed on a donated easement of 75 acre Berry Best Farm in Center Lebanon. This is a lovely ridge farm owned by Chris and John Bozak. They raise pick your own peaches, blueberries, other fruits, vegetables, and hay. www.berrybestfarm.com
December 16 the Land Trust accepted the easement on the 70 acre Noon Family Sheep Farm from the Land For Maine's Future Board and the USDA Farm and Ranch Protection Program which has purchased the development rights on the Noon's Farm.
LAND TRUST RECEIVES LEBANON LAND
On September 22, 2009, Three
Rivers Land Trust was the recipient of a parcel of land located in North Lebanon,
directly behind the Prospect Hill Cemetery on the shoreline of the Salmon Falls
River. 
The gift process dates back to June 11, 2007, when the Land Trust was contacted by the owner Ms Adele Franson. Ms Franson, a resident of Florida, had recently inherited the 12-acre woodlot located off Prospect Hill Road in Lebanon from her mother, Marie Haselton. It had been owned by the Haselton/Tanner/Kendall family for several generations. Since Ms Franson never visits the property any more, she felt she would like to keep it in its unspoiled character. It was at this time she contacted Three Rivers Land Trust to say she would like to donate it if they would agree to protect it and keep it as open space.
When Land Trust members went to visit the property they found a small gem. Because it is located out of the way, it has never attracted much attention and only a few people know it exists. Those who know about it enjoy the walk through the woods for the scenery and to fish. There are no marked trails or evidence of anything except foot traffic. Land Trust members quickly agreed that the Trust should accept the gift.
Three Rivers Land Trust had an acceptance
celebration and opening to show the residents of Lebanon and others this
special gift on December 12, 2009. Watch for another event there this spring/summer.
The Annual Auction was great fun for all! THANK YOU McDougal's and McAdam's for hosting the trust's annual fund raiser at McDougal Orchards! www.macdougalorchards.com
GREAT MUSIC!
BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED WORKS!
VERNAL POOL WALK was well attended Sunday May 17 
The Three Rivers Land Trust conducted a Field Trip to visit and learn about the value of vernal pools. The field trip was held at the residence of William and Pat Hutchins in Shapleigh.
Vernal Pools are an important part of our ecosystem. They provide breeding habitat for Wood Frogs, Spotted Salamanders, Blue Spotted Salamanders and Fairy Shrimp. Vernal Pools are important habitat for many other animals in addition to the four indicator species. They include Spring Peepers, Four-Toed Salamanders plus several types of turtles.
The Field Trip was led by William Bullard of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Bill is also a member of the Alfred Conservation Commission. Thank you Bill!
The presentation on "Options for Farmland Protection" by Stephanie Gilbert the Farmland Protection Specialist for the Maine Department of Food and Rural Resources was co-hosted by the York County Farmers Network (www.ycfn.org). It was well attended by over 50 people. As Stephanie said the best way to protect farmland is for farms to become profitable. Ag statistics are indicating that the dollars and acres of farms in York County are up from 2000!
As
an inland area of the southern most county in Maine we still have
fairly large tracts of land that are undeveloped. A land trust in this
area of rapid
growth has significant potential impact on the recreational potential,
wildlife habitat, farmland protection, open space, and the future rural
character of the land.
3RLT has successfully completed 10 easements that protect over 1,575 acres. Currently there are three more easements in the works for about 300 more acres.
The towns that are included in the trust are: Acton, Alfred, Lebanon, Sanford/Springvale, and Shapleigh. Covering an area of 215.4 square miles, or about 17,856 acres, this area is the last region of York County to establish an organization that is committed to providing assistance to citizens interested in preserving their property and holding and maintaining easements forever.
These towns are historically farm communities with large land holdings still intact. However, without some guidance from an organization such as the Three Rivers Land Trust, these large parcels likely will fall into the hands of developers. Then our valuable resources will be gone forever. The need is to act now. We worked with Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission to develop maps of educated priority target areas in each town. We will also work to assist landowners outside the target areas.
The average growth in the towns participating at this time in the trust has been over 13% during the last decade. All indications show that this number will escalate dramatically in the next decade. We feel that the Three Rivers Land Trust can play an important role in preserving and protecting our valued natural resources.
This organization is entirely run by volunteers, the board of directors is the active force. We have a volunteer lawyer, forester, media people, land stewardship committee, treasurer, president, etc. We meet once a month, the second wed. usually downstairs in the Springvale Library at 6:45 pm and as needed. We are glad to provide information and work with locally interested landowners.
501c(3) status with the IRS: ID# 01-0539771 DLN: 17053024059011
For more information, or to get on the mailing list, please contact us.
TRAILS MAPS ARE AVAILABLE!!! They may be purchased for $3.95 at: Crum's
Cycles; Springvale Hardware; Shaw's Hardware; Sanford Springvale
Chamber of Commerce; Fall's Agway; Norman Hardware; J & S Grocery
& Deli; Springvale Nurseries; Springvale
Library; Jeff Daigle Dentist Office; Acton Trading 
Post;Goodall
Library; Giles Family Farm; Conant Reality; Shapleigh Corner Store;
Boonies; Oak Hill Alpacas; Emery Mills Market; Laudholm Farm, and One Earth Natural Foods. Please Contact us if you are interested in carrying them in your store.
You may also purchase one through the mail for $6.20(includes sales tax and postage) check or money order to: Three Rivers Land Trust Map, P.O. Box 906 Acton, Maine 04101-0906
We are trying to develop our email list. If you would like to receive notices and newsletters from the 3RLT through the web, please submit your email address contact
Thank you for your support in the past...we hope you will remember to renew or join as a new member for 2009! Affordable memberships at $15 for individual, $50 for supporting, and $75 for Business, or other $$. Please make checks payable to Three Rivers Land Trust and mail to PO Box 906, Acton, ME 04001 with your contact information. Thank You!