Fannah, our young guide, quietly maneuvered the safari vehicle through the brush and African sage, coming to a stop 25 feet from our target. The towering acacia tree overhead was skeletal, a victim of debarking by rapacious elephants, with dead limbs littering the ground. A mound of white sand amidst the debris marked the den’s… Read more
Harpswell has an abundance of preserves and trails, some created after purchase or donation of the land, others the result of an easement on the rights for development of the land. But how might a property embark on this journey so well described by Mary Connolly in her series “When Land Becomes Part of a… Read more
Don’t forget your blaze orange! Recreational hunting is a respected tradition in Maine. Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) is dedicated to providing public access to its preserves for many uses, including hunting, when appropriate. If you like to get outdoors during hunting season, we urge you (and your dogs) to wear blaze orange. In 2024, firearms… Read more
As I stepped out of the house with a bag of birdseed in hand, I was focused on filling the “squirrel proof” feeder and getting back to work. Focus is a good thing unless you are so single-minded that you blunder into a situation where slow is better than fast, like popping out to the… Read more
We had so much fun at Nature Day Camp this year! For the first time ever, we welcomed over 200 children to explore, learn and play in Harpswell. Read more
Just as I began my back cast, out of the corner of my eye I caught movement along the shoreline. Letting my rod dip back toward the water I waited to see what creature was poking around in the understory among the large boulders. Suddenly out popped a head with a curious look on its… Read more
Not long before her last day as executive director of the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT), Julia McLeod sat in her office and smiled warmly when asked what accomplishments pleased her most during her nearly 12-year tour with the organization. “There are really two answers,” said McLeod, who joined the land trust as a part-time… Read more
Why do we do It. Ask anyone participating in the hiking challenge why they do it and you will probably hear a wide range of responses. We do it to prove to ourselves that we have endurance. To make ourselves and others proud of our accomplishments. To test our navigation skills. To exercise and enjoy… Read more
Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s mission statement calls for preservation and protection of “Harpswell’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and access to the outdoors now and forever through conservation, stewardship, and education.” Conservation and education are straightforward, but what does stewardship entail? The Judeo-Christian traditional approach to the land is based on Genesis 1:26, where it’s written… Read more
Did you know that Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) provides free outdoor science lessons and nature-based play to all Harpswell Community School students? Kindergarten Science We explored weather and what animals need to survive. The lessons at school culminated with a fun field trip to Houghton Graves Park. First Grade Science We delved into animal… Read more