to be enjoyed by the people and wildlife of Whitefield

Tue, 09/08/2020 - 19:12

The Whitefield Salmon Preserve now includes 1.7 miles of protected riverfront on the Sheepscot, which support Atlantic salmon habitat, filter water, and store carbon to slow climate change. (Photo by Tim Libby)

WHITEFIELD — At the end of August, Midcoast Conservancy purchased a high priority 27.7-acre addition to its Whitefield Salmon Preserve from Ellis Percy and JoAnn Tribby.

“We’re very glad to partner with Midcoast Conservancy to protect this land so that both the people and wildlife of Whitefield will be able to continue to enjoy this beautiful place,” said Percy, in a news release. “That means a great deal to us.”

Part of the property was already in a conservation easement held by Midcoast Conservancy that included much of the 1.7-mile Sheepscot West Branch trail, created and maintained in partnership by the Whitefield Trails Committee.

“We are so glad that Midcoast Conservancy was able to forever protect the entire property containing this lovely trail loop, open to the public for hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing,” said David Elliott, of Whitefield Trails Committee.

Anna Fiedler, Midcoast Conservancy director of Land Conservation, said, “This preserve now totals 83 acres and, together with the Look preserve and Haines Preserve just across the Sheepscot River in Whitefield, creates 206 acres of protected land in the neighborhood.”

The property contains intact mixed hardwood forest which provides critical flood control and store carbon.

Shri Verrill, Midcoast Conservancy Senior Watershed Restoration Manager, said “This stretch of the river provides critical habitat for Atlantic Salmon spawning and rearing. I’m thrilled that Midcoast Conservancy was able to increase the undeveloped buffer along the river by expanding Whitefield Salmon Preserve, so that we now protect over 2.5 miles of frontage on this stretch of the west branch of the Sheepscot River in Whitefield.”

The original Whitefield Salmon Preserve was purchased with funds from eight different foundations, including National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, as well as private donors. The preserve addition was made possible by generous funding from private donors.

Midcoast Conservancy’s mission is to protect and promote healthy lands, waters, and communities through conservation, outdoor adventure, and learning. For more information, go to midcoastconservancy.org or call (207) 389-5150.