Projects
Caribou-Bog Penjajawoc Project
Imagine a swath of open space from Bangor to Hudson on the east side
of Pushaw Lake—more than 16,000 acres. Imagine that trails weave
among tall pines, oaks and spruce, near wetlands and uplands where
wildlife is free to roam. The Bangor Land Trust has joined with the
Orono Land Trust to make that dream come true. For the last several
years, local Land Trusts, Municipalities, State government departments,
the University of Maine and others have joined forces to apply for
grants from Land for Maine’s Future Program, Outdoor Heritage
Fund, and others to acquire land and/or easements that will connect
previously conserved lands in this large corridor. This long-term
effort will change the nature of the greater Bangor area providing
unique recreation and natural areas at our front door. Exciting opportunities
like this are rare and the Bangor Land Trust is working diligently
to bring this major project to fruition.
Penjajawoc Marsh-Bangor Mall Commission
Bangor Land Trust holds three positions on the 15-member panel comprised
of representatives from five interest groups: landowners, land trusts,
environmental groups, city officials and commercial developers. It
was established through the recommendation of the Penjajawoc Marsh-Bangor
Mall Area Stakeholders Task Force and has been meeting regularly since
November 2005. The commission’s job is to develop a management
and access plan for the ecologically sensitive Penjajawoc Stream and
Marsh.
Bangor Trails
For several years, residents, business owners, and city planners have
been urging Bangor to develop a public trail system. After months
of planning, Bangor Land Trust and Keep Bangor Beautiful launched
Bangor Trails with a successful kickoff presentation in March 2006.
We have since partnered with the City of Bangor to develop and implement
the Bangor Trails vision. The goal of Bangor Trails is to create a
multiple-use trail system for the City of Bangor and surrounding communities.
We are planning for many uses—running, walking, biking, dog
walking, skiing, and many more—as long as these uses do not
harm the environment or prevent other users from enjoying the trails.
With an established trail system, Bangor area residents and visitors
will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the city and experience
the trail system’s many benefits. There is great potential not
only for recreation, but also for daily commuting, shopping, education,
and exercise.
Focus Species Forestry
As one of a dozen local groups chosen to partner with Maine Audubon
for the Focus Species Forestry project, Bangor Land Trust will be
establishing a forest management plan for Walden-Parke Preserve. The
project establishes management plans that protect wildlife while providing
timber, recreation, clean water or other benefits. A representative
group of wildlife found in sensitive habitats help guide these principles.
These Community Forests will serve as models of ecologically responsible
forestry for other communities and landowners in Maine who wish to
achieve these multiple, compatible goals.
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