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)
501c(3) status with the IRS: ID# 01-0539771 DLN: 17053024059011
3RLT Easements History:
Lebanon: December 2009 75 acre Berry Best Farm closed on an easement. Chris and John Bozak raise peaches, blueberries and other fruits and vegetables on this lovely Pick Your Own Farm in North Lebanon
Springvale: December 2009 70 Acre Noon Family Sheep Farm closed on an easement with Land For Maine's Future and the Federal Ranch Protection Program. This was a sale of development rights. The easement was gifted to the Three Rivers Land Trust to steward and monitor forever.
North Lebanon: September 2009 Adele
Franson of Florida donates 12 acres on the Salmon Falls River to the
Land Trust. The property now called The Salmon Falls Reserve is open to the public, foot traffic only
please, and located just south of and behind the Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Shapleigh: March 2008 Citizens have voted to protect the Shapleigh Town Forest with an easement on over 500 acres. Congratulations!
Shapleigh: December 2007
Ron Prevoir signed an easement on his property "Shapleigh Knoll" on Newfield Rd. See The Winter Horizons.Lebanon: December 2007- Red Wing Farm Beatrice Lord and Marjorie Lord Blood signed easements on their Farm protecting it for the future. See the wonderful "Letter From Red Wing Farm" in the Winter Horizons (Look on link to newsletters).
Shapleigh: December 29th 2006
3RLT signed an easement with Ruth Boothby to preserve her farm of
approximately 115 acres “Grand View Acres” on
Several years ago when working on our strategic plan the land trust invited the public to attend a goal setting meeting. What came right to the foreground at that meeting was how much people treasure scenic, rural views in our towns, views of fields, lakes, and mountains. Fortunately, the landowners of most of these special views also cherish them. Indeed, that is why the views have been passed down from one generation to another.
One of those wonderful places is the view from Owl’s Nest Road, seen best when one is headed north. Almost twenty acres of hay fields lie in the foreground with house and barn at the road’s edge. On days when the sky is deep blue the unmistakable outline of Mount Washington rises in the distance. Thanks to Ruth P. Boothby and her children this very special vista will never be obstructed by buildings, and the agricultural fields will always remain ready for planting.
The farm, which
had belonged to Joseph Hasty, was purchased by Ruth’s grandfather, Albert M.
Mann, in 1885. It was passed down from him to Ruth’s parents. She grew up there.
When she and her husband, E. Harry Boothby, raised a family of their own, they
spent summers there. Eventually Harry retired from administration in the
Massachusetts public school system so the family could become year-round
Shapleigh residents. In fact, he did not retire but continued to teach and fill
in as an administrator in Sanford and Acton for a number of years. He also
became an active community volunteer. His most visible assignment was as Town
Meeting Moderator.
In recent years the fields have been cared for and mowed
by Shapleigh residents, Mike and Elsa Cook. The almost 100 acres of woods have
been carefully and sustainably managed under the direction of Shapleigh
forester, Peter Klachany.
When a land trust accepts a conservation easement
it accepts the responsibility of carrying out the owner’s wishes forever. In
this case Ruth wants to preserve the fields, trees, and view more than the
buildings. Therefore, the easement allows considerable alterations to the
existing structures, but no degradation of the fields and forest.
To carry out its responsibilities, our land trust is always putting aside funds in what we call our Stewardship Fund. These funds are invested to assure they continue to grow in size. We would like to add $2,000 to that Fund to assure future protection of this property. Any and all contributions to that fund are most welcome.
Alfred: May 10, 2005
Three Rivers Land Trust placed a conservation easement on "Shaker Woods" a 35 acre parcel of land in Alfred. The Parcel, which is located on Stone Road has over a thousand feet of frontage on the middle branch of the Mousam River. The land was originally part of a subdivision that is being developed by Washington Associates. The Conservation easement will assure that the 34 acres will remain as open space, forever. The forest will be left in its natural state.The 34 acres of open space is being transferred (gifted) to the town of Alfred. A town-appointed committee will mainrain the stewardship of the property. They will create a walking trail; and a traditional public canoe and kayak access to the river that will be kept open forever. The Three Rivers Land Trust will monitor the property on an annual basis to assure that the terms of the easement are carried out.
This easement is the result of an effort on the part of the Alfred Planning Board, the developer, the land trust, and the Alfred Selectmen to form a partnership to promote cluster development and protect, preserve, and provide the public access to this beautiful undeveloped waterfront.
Shapleigh: November 17, 2005
In March 2005, Shapleigh residents approved two historic land acquisitions for the town. The Shapleigh Town Meeting accepted the gift of a section of rare turtle habitat on Upper Goose Pond, and voted to purchase a sixty-six acre abutting wooded parcel which will become part of the Town Forest, connecting the turtle habitat to the rest of the Town Forest. If you want to walk through this area, pick up a map from the Shapleigh Town Hall.
November 2005: A Blanding's Turtle Preserve in Shapleigh At Last! We thought this easement would be finalized two years earlier. It was wishful thinking. Turtles are notoriously slow moving, but can win the race in the end.
The "Goose Pond Turtle Preserve" easement is now executed. It, assures that thirty acres of woodland with more than 1,000 feet of frontage on Shapleigh's Upper Goose beaver pond will remain a forever-wild preserve. It is to remain forever wild because it is suitable habitat for the elusive and endangered Blanding’s Turtle.
Like every easement story this one has its heroes and heroines. The parcel seemed destined to become one more house lot in a new subdivision located around a peaceful, secluded beaver pond. But the Town’s Conservation Commission had taught the Planning Board to check unfailingly the state generated natural areas maps. These maps told the Planning Board and the landowner that the Blanding’s Turtle had been found there. Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Maine Natural Areas biologists were brought into the discussions. They recommended the 30 acres be set aside. The Planning Board adopted their recommendation; The Three Rivers Land Trust agreed to be the enforcer as the easement holder; and the Town of Shapleigh voted to acquire the lot in March2005. But there was still one formidable roadblock: there was a badly eroded, unapproved ATV trail that not only degraded water entering Mousam Lake, but might have also serve as a death warrant to a meandering turtle. Happily, the developer/owner, Northwoods Land Co. of Maine, through its agent, Craig Higgins, willingly took on the responsibility of closing the ATV trail.
So thanks to Shapleigh Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Northwoods Land Company, Three Rivers Land Trust and the citizens of Shapleigh, the Blandings Turtle Habitat is forever intact.
Acton: August 17, 2004
A
town-appointed committee has accepted the challenge of converting the
Mary Grant property with and easement held by 3RLT into a town park called "Mary Grant Nature Preserve". The committee, working with
several volunteers, has focused its efforts on turning the barn into
usable space. They have held work days and been fundraising. 
The
Town Forester, Steve Bodkin, has helped with a preliminary assessment
of the condition of the woodlot. With Steve's help, the committee has
begun formulating the goals which will guide the formation of a
management plan for the woodlot. Anyone interested in helping should
contact Dick Neal (207-636-3205) or Lorraine Yeaton (207-636-2146) or
make a contribution to "The Town of Acton c/o Mary Grant Fund" PO Box
540, Acton, Me. 04001 The property is located on Sam Page Rd.,
one-quarter mile east from the H Rd. intersection. At the annual town
meeting on June 4, Acton voters approved the 2005 Comprehensive Plan.
With the guidance of Paul Schumacher from SMRPC, the Comprehensive Plan
committee had developed this blueprint for the town’s growth for the
next decade. There are many proposals within the plan for the
conservation of our working farms and forestlands, as well as wildlife
habitat protection and regional protection of our lakes. Throughout the
developement of this plan, the Trust advocated for sustainable growth
based on the conservation of our resources. We are hopeful that the
Trust will continue to support efforts toward the implementation of
these goals.
Lebanon: June, 4, 2003
"The Wilbur Jones Farm"
in Lebanon was the first easement that the Trust finalized in June of
2003. This working farm is owned and managed by the Ridley Farm in
Shapleigh and is comprised of three parcels and almost 600 acres of
fields and forests.
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.