Presumpscot Regional Land Trust is working hard to preserve two large, adjacent parcels of land in the Pride’s Corner area of Westbrook. Totaling 175 acres, once it is protected, the Pride Preserve will become the largest forever conserved forestland in Westbrook, Portland, South Portland, and Gorham, making this a vital project for the region.

Already, 85% of the funding for this half-million-dollar conservation project has been pledged by generous supporters, with a balance of $80,000 remaining to make the Pride Preserve a reality.

When the project is completed, trails will be built and the Pride Preserve will be open to the public for outdoor recreation. Its diverse wildlife habitat, clean water, and forests will be protected for people of all ages to experience nature for generations to come.

Rachelle Curran Apse, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust Executive Director, said, “The large size of this forested sanctuary within an urban area provides important habitat for mammals like deer and fox. Minnow Brook, which meanders through the property, contributes clean water to the Presumpscot River and provides valuable habitat for other species such as muskrat, otter, great blue heron, songbirds, wild brook trout, and American eels.” In addition, she said, “Ponds and wetlands on the land provide habitat for species such as spring peepers, spotted salamanders and leopard frogs – amphibians that are declining quickly, due to habitat loss.”

This project is possible because of the generosity of Florence Pride Hawkes and her family who decided to generously donate the forested land she deeply loves to the Land Trust. Florence is a member of the Pride family who settled in Westbrook nearly 300 years ago, lending their name to an area known as Pride’s Corner. Her gift to the community will provide public access to this ecologically and historically important land forever.

The Land Trust is still looking for donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations in order to fulfill the remaining $80,000 project budget to make Pride Preserve a reality in 2020.

PRLT is a community based non-profit serving Gorham, Gray, Standish, Westbrook, and Windham which holds conserved lands with free public access preserves that include trails and water access. They are the water stewards of the Presumpscot River watershed and they coordinate the Sebago to the Sea Trail, a 28-mile bike and hike trail stretching from Standish to Portland.

Donations can be sent to Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, P.O. Box 33, Gorham, Maine 04038 or donate online at www.prlt.org, designating the gift to the Pride Preserve.