The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust has met its goal of raising the nearly $2 million needed for three conservation projects to move forward this Fall. Two of the projects are in Gorham and one is on the Gorham side of Westbrook, along the Presumpscot River. In total, 104 acres of forestland will be preserved, and miles of new trails will be built in 2024. All three projects will rely on community involvement from volunteers. Visit www.prlt.org to see how you can help. Grand openings are planned for Fall of 2024.

Sixty acres of the newly preserved lands are in Gorham, split between two conservation projects: Trout Run and Deer Woods. Both landowners expressed a deep desire for their beautiful lands to remain wild so that vital wildlife habitat for hundreds of species will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

The land for Trout Run, located just past the Rt. 25 Roundabout heading toward Standish, was generously donated by Julie Abbott and will feature a 2 mile out and back trail along the banks of Little River which is a wild brook trout habitat. The Deer Woods Conservation Project, near the farm pond along Day Road, encompasses 30 acres donated by Kathleen Ashley. This land is part of the largest remaining undeveloped forested block (about 300 acres) east of downtown Gorham and has been deer wintering habitat for decades. Trails will be built here as well.

The Land Trust received nearly 200 gifts for the three Conservation Projects and would like to thank the individuals, families, Land Trust members and business partners who made a generous investment in the future by supporting these projects. Land Trust Executive Director, Rachael Curran Apse said, “Expanding conservation in Gorham is only possible due to the hundreds of ongoing Land Trust members who live in Gorham and surrounding towns. Thank you to everyone involved who helped to ensure there is open space for future generations.”

Visit www.prlt.org for updates on the projects throughout the year.