A BRIEF HISTORY OF BANGOR LAND TRUST
In 2001 a group of concerned citizens founded Bangor Land Trust (BLT) to protect Bangor’s important natural areas for public benefit now and for future generations. We work with landowners, developers, the City of Bangor, and fellow conservation organizations to conserve the heart of Bangor’s wild backyard, the extraordinary Penjajawoc Marsh and associated habitat. Because we incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization, we are better able to fundraise, and to acquire and manage land following the principles of good conservation stewardship. BLT is one of more than 1,700 land trusts across the United States, and is currently preparing to seek accreditation from our national organization, the Land Trust Alliance.
BLT benefits from regional collaboration. Orono Land Trust helped us to organize, and partners with us on the Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Project – a 15-mile, 7,500-acre wildlife and recreational corridor extending from Bangor’s Essex Woods northward beyond Pushaw Lake. The southern end of this corridor includes land with the highest conservation values in Bangor – Essex Woods, Penjajawoc Marsh and its uplands, Walden-Parke Preserve, and Bangor’s City Forest. BLT’s contribution to this regional project is 700 acres of valuable wetland and upland habitat, with over xxx miles of trails open to the public for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, wildlife watching, and other non-motorized uses.
Over 350 individuals, families, and businesses support BLT annually. Our Board of Directors, committees, and other volunteers - together with our part-time staff person - carry out tasks ranging from accounting to trail maintenance, mapping to grant writing. We have received grant support from private foundations, Maine Recreational Trails funds, the Land for Maine’s Future Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (North American Wetlands Conservation Act).
The decisions that Bangor makes today about land use determine the legacy we leave to future generations. These decisions will have a profound influence on the personal, ecological, and economic health of our community. To foster the development and implementation of an ecologically based land use vision, we sponsor monthly events on our preserves, publish a twice-yearly newsletter, partner with local and regional organizations, and represent Bangor’s conservation interests on city committees. BLT is uniquely positioned, both locally and regionally, to bring a crucial conservation perspective to regional planning. It participates in the Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Project, the Bangor Trails Project, and the Marsh/Mall Commission, and contributed to the Central Penobscot Regional Greenprint, the Bangor Comprehensive Planning Commission, and the Stakeholder Group for the Penjajawoc Stream Water Quality Remediation Project.
In 2001 a group of concerned citizens founded Bangor Land Trust (BLT) to protect Bangor’s important natural areas for public benefit now and for future generations. We work with landowners, developers, the City of Bangor, and fellow conservation organizations to conserve the heart of Bangor’s wild backyard, the extraordinary Penjajawoc Marsh and associated habitat. Because we incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization, we are better able to fundraise, and to acquire and manage land following the principles of good conservation stewardship. BLT is one of more than 1,700 land trusts across the United States, and is currently preparing to seek accreditation from our national organization, the Land Trust Alliance.
BLT benefits from regional collaboration. Orono Land Trust helped us to organize, and partners with us on the Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Project – a 15-mile, 7,500-acre wildlife and recreational corridor extending from Bangor’s Essex Woods northward beyond Pushaw Lake. The southern end of this corridor includes land with the highest conservation values in Bangor – Essex Woods, Penjajawoc Marsh and its uplands, Walden-Parke Preserve, and Bangor’s City Forest. BLT’s contribution to this regional project is 700 acres of valuable wetland and upland habitat, with over xxx miles of trails open to the public for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, wildlife watching, and other non-motorized uses.
Over 350 individuals, families, and businesses support BLT annually. Our Board of Directors, committees, and other volunteers - together with our part-time staff person - carry out tasks ranging from accounting to trail maintenance, mapping to grant writing. We have received grant support from private foundations, Maine Recreational Trails funds, the Land for Maine’s Future Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (North American Wetlands Conservation Act).
The decisions that Bangor makes today about land use determine the legacy we leave to future generations. These decisions will have a profound influence on the personal, ecological, and economic health of our community. To foster the development and implementation of an ecologically based land use vision, we sponsor monthly events on our preserves, publish a twice-yearly newsletter, partner with local and regional organizations, and represent Bangor’s conservation interests on city committees. BLT is uniquely positioned, both locally and regionally, to bring a crucial conservation perspective to regional planning. It participates in the Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Project, the Bangor Trails Project, and the Marsh/Mall Commission, and contributed to the Central Penobscot Regional Greenprint, the Bangor Comprehensive Planning Commission, and the Stakeholder Group for the Penjajawoc Stream Water Quality Remediation Project.
BANGOR LAND TRUST MILESTONES – 10 years of conservation achievements:
2001 BLT incorporates
2002 BLT joins with Orono Land Trust to form the Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Lands Project, a regional approach to conservation.
2003 Columbia Street Baptist Church gifts to BLT an undivided 1/3 interest in 10.9 acres on Penjajawoc Marsh.
2004 Fritz and Caroline Oldenburg gift to BLT 13.1 acres of grassland near Penjajawoc Marsh, abutting a similar parcel gifted to Maine Audubon.
2005 The City of Bangor convenes the Penjajawoc Marsh/Bangor Mall Task Force including landowners, the City of Bangor,
developers, and environmental groups. They charge this group with creating a plan to protect the Marsh while allowing appropriate development. BLT has 3 seats on thet 12-member task force, and continues to hold 3 seats on the Penjajawoc Marsh/Bangor Mall Com mission that oversees the implementation of the Task Force’s plan and makes recommendations about spending Bangor’s Tax Increment Financing for conservation around the Marsh. The elected chair of this Commission in 2011 is a BLT Board member, as were the two chairs before him. Fritz and Caroline Oldenburg and Dennis and Jane Shubert gift to BLT 205-acres for Walden-Parke Preserve I. BLT hires part-time staff, and opens an office in downtown Bangor.
2006 BLT partners with the City of Bangor and Keep Bangor Beautiful to launch the Bangor Trails Project and create a city-wide trail system. The project includes a public survey, and a rating of popular proposed trail segments. BLT invites the Trust for Public Land to speak at our Annual Meeting. This leads to the launching of the Central Penobscot Regional Greenprint with the Trust for Public Land, 12 municipalities and five land trusts. BLT’s input is central to the process. BLT purchases two parcels that make up the 80-acre Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve, with grants from the Land for Maine’s Future Fund and the North American Wetland Conservation Act funds.
2007 Our first big fundraising event, the “Frogs, Logs, and Bogs Road Ride.” In spite of chilly, threatening weather over 100 riders participate. Ridership and enthusiasm increase each year.
2008 The Bangor City Council enthusiastically adopts the Bangor Trails Preliminary Report.
2009 Central Penobscot Regional Greenprint published. With help from a Maine Recreational Trails grant, the Maine Conservation Corps, and strong local volunteers, BLT remediates muddy trails on Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve with a bridge spanning the stream, ditching, stonework, and 688 feet of bog bridging.
2010 BLT purchases two parcels to make the 88-acre Central Penjajawoc Preserve, bordering Penjajawoc Marsh off Essex Street, using grants from the Land for Maine’s Future Fund and the North American Wetland Conservation Act funds. Trail access is planned for fall 2012.
2011 Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve Trails are listed on Maine Trail Finder website, part of an integrated regional approach to showcasing one of Bangor’s most significant assets, and contributing to our region’s economic health. Bangor applies for a $595,000 federal grant to complete the final link in a 3.5 mile bicycle/pedestrian trail from Cascade Park on State Street to Essex Street, connecting several residential neighborhoods with Eastern Maine Medical Center, Eastern Maine Community College, the Bangor Mall, and three popular wildlife watching areas.Over 150 cyclists ride in the renamed “Pedal the Penobscot.” This helps fund BLT’s operating costs, and calls attention to Bangor’s healthy outdoor lifestyle and the importance of having a bicycle- friendly city. Terry Delargy brings her many talents to BLT as our new Office Manager. BLT relocates two sections of Walden Parke Preserve’s Blue Trail, and begins additional work to remediate muddy sections. Fritz and Caroline Oldenburg and Dennis and Jane Shubert carry forward their extraordinary conservation vision with the gift of 205 acres to complete Walden-Parke Preserve. BLT receives 105 acres known as the “Quinn lot” from a local developer required by state and federal regulations to conserve a vernal pool.
