News and Updates
Winter Solstice Lantern Walk 2018
Photos above © Eric Michael Tollefson Friday, Dec. 21, 2018 from 5-6 p.m. Houghton Graves Park, 1714 Harpswell Islands Rd, Orr’s Island Celebrate the winter solstice with a lantern walk and bonfire. Welcome the lengthening days with light, song and community. Walk along a short, easy trail lined with lanterns and luminaria. You are encouraged to […]
Learn MoreGift Ideas from Harpswell Heritage Land Trust
Are you looking for a great gift idea that also benefits your local land trust? This year Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) is selling two books, photo note cards and hats! All profits benefit HHLT’s conservation and education work in Harpswell. Click here to place an order for any of the below items with a […]
Learn MoreJulia McLeod: Getting people to care
One in a series of profiles of people who played a key role in the first 35 years of the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. By Doug Warren There have been numerous watershed events in the first 35 years of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT). Among them: The acceptance of a preservation easement on the historic […]
Learn MoreHoughton Graves Park: An adventure story of multiple kidnappings
One of a series of articles exploring the natural and human history of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s protected land. With each of these articles comes a public event. We encourage you to enjoy the Winter Solstice Lantern Walk on Dec. 21. Click here for details. By Nancy West For a sweet morsel of a park […]
Learn MoreLong Reach Preserve: Rocks and family ties
This is one in a series of articles about the author’s research into Harpswell Heritage Land Trust preserves and trails this year. By Nancy West If you want an invigorating hike through a forest to a pristine water view of another forest preserve, get thee to the Long Reach Preserve. You’ll clamber up and over […]
Learn MoreHarpswell Day Photo Slideshow 2018
Our third Harpswell Day, in collaboration with Harpswell Historical Society, was a great success, with more than 200 participants! There were demonstrations of traditional handcrafts and subsistence skills, tours, food, sheep, music, storytelling, antique cars, reenactors in the one-room schoolhouse and more. Check out photos in the slideshow below. Thank you to all the demonstrators, […]
Learn MorePatty and Allan Graves: A gift from the generations before to the generations to come
One in a series of profiles of people who played a key role in the first 35 years of the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. By Doug Warren Sitting around a table in the family home just up the hill from Houghton Graves Park on Orr’s Island, Allan and Patty Graves want to make one thing […]
Learn MoreIt’s hunting season, don’t forget your blaze orange
Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) is dedicated to providing public access to its preserves for many uses, including hunting. If you like to get outdoors in November, we urge you (and your dogs) to wear blaze orange. In 2018, firearms season for deer runs from October 29 to November 24. Muzzleloader season extends to December […]
Learn More2018 Fall and Winter Events and Programs
All events are free and do not require advance registration unless otherwise indicated. Events are weather dependent. Please check this website for cancellations. For more information, contact Julia McLeod at outreach@hhltmaine.org or 207-837-9613. Short Course on Harpswell’s Habitats and Fisheries Various dates and locations from Sept. 4-Oct. 11. Advance registration is required Harpswell Heritage Land […]
Learn MoreThe People Behind the First 35 years of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust
Since 1983, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) has been working with the community to preserve special places in Harpswell, ensure public shore access, build and maintain trails, provide engaging educational programs and protect scenic views, clean water and wildlife habitat. In 2018 we celebrate our 35th anniversary. One of the ways we are celebrating is […]
Learn MoreTrail Design and Building: Creating Journeys in Nature for Visitors
By Andrea Stevens Perhaps you have enjoyed a hike at our Long Reach Preserve, zig-zagging up and down slopes through the oak-pine forests and crossing the sponge-like peat of the shrub bog in the valley. Or maybe you have followed the timber bridges through the wetland forest at Curtis Farm, eventually reaching the stunning scenery […]
Learn MoreRich Knox: Four-Season Island Stewardship
By Doug Warren Only three wooded acres in size and surrounded by Middle Bay mud flats at low tide, Crow Island might not seem like much to the casual observer. But to Rich Knox, the tiny island has always been “the bees’ knees.” That’s what Rich’s kids called Crow Island when he would take them […]
Learn MoreNature and Wellness
By Monique Coombs, Director of Marine Programs for the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association It should come as no surprise to anyone that I would convey the importance of being outside and in nature with the life of a fisherman. Although, many people do not have the opportunity to work outside every day, or be on […]
Learn MoreMiddle Bay Islands: History, Beauty and a Lesson in Working Together
This is one in a series of articles about the author’s research into Harpswell Heritage Land Trust preserves and trails this year. By Nancy West What is this treasure? There’s a pie riding on it. For the most intriguing idea, I’ll bake you a pie. You should know that a cherry pie that I baked […]
Learn MoreHarpswell Day: A celebration of traditional handcrafts and subsistence skills
Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 from 12-4 p.m. (rain or shine) at the Harpswell Historical Society, 929 Harpswell Neck Rd Join Harpswell Historical Society and Harpswell Heritage Land Trust for a celebration of traditional handcrafts and subsistence skills. This event happens rain or shine at the Harpswell Historical Society Museum, Centennial Hall, the Meeting House, the […]
Learn MorePlaying a Role in Historic Preservation
One of a series of articles exploring the natural and human history of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s protected land. With each of these articles comes a public event. We encourage you to celebrate Harpswell’s rich history at Harpswell Day on Oct. 13 from 12-4 p.m. Click here for details. By Nancy West The beauty of […]
Learn More35 Years of Conservation, 1983-2018
We hope you enjoy this video showing the growth in Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s conservation land over the past 35 years. For more about our 35th anniversary, click here.
Learn MoreKeith Brown: A guy who gets things done
One in a series of profiles of people who played a key role in the first 35 years of the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. By Doug Warren Even at 81, Keith Brown is the kind of guy who likes to get things done. Case in point: As a visitor is about to leave his Hildreth […]
Learn MoreJunior Ranger Activity Book
Become a Harpswell Junior Ranger! This 68-page, full-color book introduces young people to 10 trails, parks and preserves in Harpswell, while exploring elements of nature that make these places special and fascinating. Learn, explore and have fun while becoming a Harpswell Junior Ranger! The Junior Ranger Activity Book was created by Emma Levy. Young people […]
Learn MorePotts Point Preserve: A gem
One of a series of articles exploring the natural and human history of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s protected land. With each of these articles comes a public event. This fall’s Short Course on Harpswell’s Habitats and Fisheries includes a field trip to Potts Point Preserve on Sept. 22. Click here for details. By Nancy West The […]
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