Funding Round/Year:
2021
Project Sponsor:
Western Foothills Land Trust
MNRCP Region:
Southern Maine
Location:
Otisfield
Total Cost of Project:
$164,335
MNRCP Award:
$46,085
Project Type:
Fee Acquisition
Project Description:
The Twin Bridges - Cummings project conserved 59.6 acres of land that includes: approximately 13.3 acres of freshwater scrub-shrub and forested wetlands; approximately 3,014 feet of frontage on the tributary from Little Pond to the Crooked River, which is mapped Wild Brook Trout Habitat; and upland forest including some mature Eastern Hemlock forest. The site is also mapped as potential habitat for Wood Turtle which is a species of Special Concern in Maine. Most of the land is part of an approximately 4,883-acre Undeveloped Habitat Block identified by the Beginning With Habitat Program. The western side of the property abuts conservation land already owned by WFLT. As part of the same transaction, WFLT also acquired an additional 21-acre lot owned by the same landowner located to the north of the site. WFLT also conserved with MNRCP assistance a ~17-acre parcel across the road that is hydrologically connected to this site (see the 2021 Twin Bridges - Robinson project). WFLT will retain and manage the site for its natural resource values and low-impact recreation.