Why This Property? The large size (for Harpswell) of the Tondreau property means protecting a significant block of wildlife habitat which, when you include the property’s intertidal habitat, support at least 11 bird species the State of Maine has designated to be of “greatest conservation need,” including waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds. The property also… Read more
It’s been a great school year for outdoor learning at Harpswell Community School! Harpswell Heritage Land Trust’s Julia McLeod has brought HCS students out to the woods more than 80 times during this school year for science learning and nature-based play. Her work reached every student at our local public elementary school. Some highlights of… Read more
When HHLT takes on a new preserve or conservation easement, we commit to protecting that land…forever. That word shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s a big commitment for a small, one-town land trust. At HHLT, we believe in forever. We want to ensure that someone will always be around to protect the wildlife and natural areas… Read more
Originally published in the Harpswell Anchor What is access? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, access is “permission, liberty, or ability to enter, approach, or pass to and from a place or to approach or communicate with a person or thing.” Two words jump out of this definition — people and place. Both of these themes featured… Read more
In February, Reed Coles, our executive director for the last 16-plus years, became our part-time Director of Lands and Stewardship, and Julia McLeod stepped up to become our Acting Executive Director. Much excitement all around! Reed, who turned 77 this year, is delighted by the changes – he gets time to focus on laying out… Read more
When Lands & Stewardship Director Reed Coles talks with people interested in exploring conservation of their land, what comes through most strongly is their deep connection with a piece of property. They seek out conservation “because they love the land,” Reed says. This love of the land leads them to strive to ensure that it… Read more
While reflecting back on 2021, we wanted to take this opportunity to share our accomplishments. We are deeply grateful for the volunteers, donors, trustees, and staff who enable our continued success. Here is a list of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust accomplishments in 2021: After a successful and short fundraising campaign, we closed on our new… Read more
Originally published in the Harpswell Anchor Harpswell Heritage Land Trust will embark on a leadership transition Feb. 1, as the second executive director in the history of the organization moves into a half-time role and HHLT’s outreach director takes on the title of acting executive director. Reed Coles, HHLT’s executive director for the last 16-plus… Read more
Today we announce big news about Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. This December, the Board of Trustees accepted the retirement of our long-standing Executive Director, Reed Coles and appointed Outreach Director Julia McLeod as Acting Executive Director, effective as of February 1, 2022. Julia has been with the land trust for almost ten years, starting at… Read more
Harpswell author Ed Robinson has been writing and speaking about the outdoors for years. Ed has now published two volumes in the Nature Notes series and both have been very popular. Each book is a collection of wildlife essays featuring different species found in Maine. Subjects range from loons, skunks, bobcats, and black bears to… Read more