My introduction to partnering writing with land trusts in a formal way was ushered in by an unexpected Barred Owl at the Oven’s Mouth Preserve in Edgecomb. As a lifelong writer, an announcement in the Maine Writer’s and Publisher’s Alliance newsletter seeking partnership between poets and land trusts in Maine caught my eye. I made… Read more
“What’s the big deal, Ed?” asked Thad, “It’s just an old swamp.” To be fair, Thad is not as thick-headed as he sounded, and I knew he was baiting me. Rather than snap at him I said quietly, “That ‘swamp’ is a salt marsh and some of the best wildlife habitat in our state.” We… Read more
For the past two years, scores of people have spent hundreds of hours discussing what might sound like a simple question: “What is your vision for Harpswell 10 years from now?” These fellow residents have been thinking about lands, jobs, housing and water resources. They talk about the changing climate and economic trends. It turns… Read more
Lately I have been chasing vagrants. My quest has been specific to birds, including some species that are exceedingly rare for this region. In recent months Maine’s birding community has been flush with opportunities to view creatures that would normally involve long distance travel in building a life list. We should start with a definition… Read more
Approved by the Board of Trustees January 19, 2021 Mission To preserve and protect Harpswell’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and access to the outdoors now and forever through conservation, stewardship, and education. Our Vision for Harpswell Key areas of Harpswell’s natural environment are preserved to sustain a healthy marine and terrestrial environment and maintain scenic… Read more
Harpswell Heritage Land Trust seeks thoughtful, motivated, and dedicated members for its Board of Trustees and committees. The Board of Trustees drives the direction of the Land Trust, engaging in interesting conversations about how HHLT can best make an impact toward advancing conservation, access, and outdoor education in Harpswell. Committees give input to and carry… Read more
(When Land Becomes Part of a Land Trust — Part II) This is a story about a journey. A land’s journey. One with many heroes pursuing a common goal despite tough decisions and challenges. And as with every story, there is a beginning, middle and end. This one begins when an opportunity to conserve… Read more
This short film featuring Harpswell Heritage Land Trust is part of a documentary film about Maine youth in nature. It is being independently produced by Topsham filmmaker Mark Ireland for broadcast (Maine Public) and selected Maine theatrical screenings. Stay tuned for the full feature film released early in 2024! Read more
Someone asked me once if I feared running out of topics for these monthly columns. Hah! There is no chance of that! There is such diversity in the natural world, and so many potential story ideas piled up on the desk that my ashes will be pushing up lupines before the backlog is cleared. The… Read more
One definition for the word dormant is being “temporarily in abeyance yet capable of being activated.” That describes how I feel after a hard day of cutting, splitting and stacking firewood followed by a long snooze. It takes the old noggin a few minutes to get up to speed for polite conversation with my long-suffering spouse…. Read more