Photo credit: Chris CrawfordFall color at Little Duck Pond, part of the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust’s new East Windham Preserve.
The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust has announced that the $50,000 matching challenge from Gorham Savings Bank for the East Windham Conservation Project has been reached. The Land Trust received almost 400 donations for the Project, with 150 of them being first-time gifts. There were numerous gifts from surrounding towns throughout the region, including 12 from Gorham.
The wide-spread support demonstrates the popularity of this project and other conservations efforts in the Greater Portland area. Land Trust Executive Director, Rachelle Curran Apse said, “We are thrilled by the outpouring of community support for this regionally significant conservation/trails project. It will benefit Gorham, Windham, and the surrounding communities for generations to come.” The 750-acre East Windham Project will become part of a 2000-acre corridor connecting it with Lowell Preserve, North Falmouth Community Forest and Blackstrap Hill Preserve.
Gorham Savings bank played a significant role in the fundraising efforts. Curran Apse commented, “We really appreciate that Gorham
Savings Bank took a leadership role, providing a $50,000 matching challenge, which inspired hundreds of people to generously give to the Land Trust to meet the matching challenge.” A comprehensive list of the foundations, businesses, and organizations which supported the project can be found on the project webpage.
The Land Trust is now working with the Town of Windham to complete the Land for Maine’s Future
grant requirements this fall and in order to conserve the land within this calendar year. Once that has been finalized, work will begin on building the trailhead and 10 miles of trails which will connect to 20 existing miles for walking, running, biking, snowshoeing, and wildlife watching. A grand opening is expected in the Fall of 2023. For more information about this project and any of the other Land Trust Trails and Preserves, visit www.prlt.org.