ORONO LAND TRUST NEWSLETTER

Newsletter Editor: Cheryl Daigle   Publisher: Margaret Campbell    Web Version: Virginia Whitaker

SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

We are now accepting applications for the Orono Land Trust Scholarship for Educational Projects, Environmental Studies, and Wilderness Adventure. The scholarship is based upon the premise that principles of conservation and respect for the land grow naturally from an increased understanding of the science of natural ecosystems, and that properly supervised wilderness adventure/survival experiences can create a lifelong respect for and love of our unique wilderness resources in Maine. The scholarship is open to Orono residents of any age, and students and teachers in the Orono public schools regardless of town of residence. OLT expects to award up to $500 annually. Deadline: May 1, 2001.  For more details, call Sharon Tisher at 866-0023.   

DIRIGO PINES MEETING

       Dirigo Pines--Planning Board meeting to discuss the final site plan will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at the Orono Council Chambers. Please come and support the plan for trails in this area. Pete Ludwig, the forester putting up the yellow tape to delineate cutting areas at Dirigo Pines on Kelley Road, has been the chief route of communication about what is going on in that development. Sally Jacobs and he have walked the area three times to determine how to avoid unnecessary cutting of trees, the possibility of redesign of the landscaping to leave some of the larger tree specimens, and where trails should be placed.
Scott Johnson and his wife Jane, the developers of this project, walked with Kathy Carter and Sally a year ago this past fall and were enthusiastic about having trails in the development for the residents and for the public.
       It was agreed that tying their trails into the Orono trail system would be beneficial to the residents and essential to preserving the integrity of the trail system as a whole and access to Kelley road in particular. Working out the details of that overall idea has been left to Sally and Pete. Pete is a conservationist and has worked closely with the project's landscape architect to implement our ideas as best as possible within his job requirement which is to make room for buildings. Trees and buffer strips have been saved and widened. The proposed trail system would have a woodchip surface and snake through the development, connecting the sidewalk to the trail and passing around the pond that is to be built, as well as hooking into the trail system off-site.
      The site plan that has been presented to the Planning Board for review on March 21, does not show these trails. This is of concern to us, and anyone interested should attend the Planning Board meeting to make sure that the vision becomes reality.
                                                                                ~ Sally Jacobs

2001 MAINE LAND CONSERVATION CONFERENCE
Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport

Saturday, May 5 from 8:30 to 5:00.  An additional session will be held Friday, May 4 with our own Alan Hutchinson giving the Keynote address on "the status of conservation in the North Woods." The workshops to be presented will include the subjects of basic conservation methods, stewardship requirements, fund-raising, property taxes on conserved land, and much much more. Some of the best conservation lawyers and project managers will be sharing their expertise. It is a great day! And all for $30. ~ SJ

Caribou Bog Conservation Project Rises Again
While efforts to protect a substantial portion of the Caribou Bog through acquisition were foiled by an unanticipated sale to a new
owner (see October 2000 newsletter), OLT's engagement in this unique "wild land" in our midst continues undaunted. Thanks to the initiative and leadership of OLT member and University of Maine Professor of Biology and Quaternary Studies Ron Davis, and his bright and energetic student, UM Senior Justine Stadler, a fascinating new project is emerging.  Proposed as a cooperative joint venture of the Orono Land Trust, the University, and the City of Bangor, the project envisions construction of a 4,500 foot boardwalk on the Orono Bog, with viewing stations, interpretive signs, brochures, and associated website, for public education, research, nature study and recreation. Orono Bog is the southernmost major raised bog unit of the large, multiple-unit peatland Caribou Bog.

       The boardwalk will for the first time make this unique and beautiful peatland, already designated a National Natural Landmark, accessible to the public. Dr. Davis has been studying and teaching about the Orono Bog and related Maine wetlands for over 20 years, and will provide a great resource for the educational materials and program associated with the project. The current proposal, still under negotiation, will be to access the boardwalk, which will be located on land already owned by the University, from the well-managed trails and parking facilities of the Bangor Forest off of Stillwater Avenue. The Orono Land Trust is excited about the opportunity to partner with our neighboring municipality, developing in our "backyard" a true naturalists' destination. A grant application for $22,625 in federal funds through the National Park's Service's Challenge Cost Share Program, with $24,838 matched in volunteered services and materials from the University, Dr. Davis, and OLT, has already been submitted Fundraising endeavors through grants and private donations are in the planning stage..      

       One of OLT's primary responsibilities in the project will be organizing volunteer forces for the actual construction, projected for 2002. So get your hammers ready!           ~ Sharon Tisher

Sally Jacobs, Grant Getter Extraordinaire
Sally Jacobs has been working overtime to bring in much needed funds for trail and sidewalk development in Orono and bicycle routes throughout eastern Maine. The tremendous energy she gives toward conserving Maine's special natural areas and enhancing the quality of life in our town and state is greatly appreciated!  Sally's reports follow …

TECH PARK SIDEWALKS  

Governor King and Commissioner Melrose announced on February 21 that Orono will receive $71,250 of Federal

Enhancement funds for sidewalks in the Tech Park. We must supply an equal amount in matching funds. The town has already voted to supply $30,000 and the OEDC/Envisionet sidewalk construction is valued as $22,500 of matching. The next step is to get the Tech Park businesses to collectively come up with a total of $18,750. Any help on this will be most welcome.

MAINE TRAILS RECEIVE FUNDING BOOST

     On the larger trail scene there is good news too. The Eastern Trail, which eventually will go from Kittery to Portland, will receive $1.09 million, The Downeast Trail will receive $700,000 for a section in Calais and an additional section in Ellsworth will receive $700,000 also. Pleasant Point Reservation Trail (Sibayik Trail), which can eventually connect with the Downeast Trail received $225,000.  In addition, 300 miles of gravel shoulders will be paved in the next two years on roads that have been designated as part of the state's designated bicycle routes. The Orono funding is contingent on the legislature's approval of the MDOT Budget. The money comes from Federal Transportation Enhancement funds so it is almost a sure bet. 80% of the trails funding will come from the Federal Enhancement Funds but must be matched 20% from state funds provided through the MDOT Bond to be voted on in November.

NEWS FROM THE TRAILS

Come enjoy and learn about Orono's natural areas! Join us this spring, summer and fall for our first full schedule of trail walks. 

 

OLT members will introduce you to our native woods and wildlife and the history of OLT's trail building and land protection efforts.

2001 OLT Trail Walk Schedule

All walks are scheduled for Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m.  For more information, contact the walk leader listed below:

 

April 28	River Trail Walk :  Sharon Tisher  (866-0023)
May 26	Marsh Island Trail Walk:  Peter Millard (866-3503)
June 9	Sklar Park Trail Walk:  Jay Fortier (866-0493)
June 23	Pushaw Lake:  Corinne Pierce, Brian Roach,   Sally Jacobs (866-4520)
July 14	Colburn Area:  Gail White (866-0041)
August 4	Ayers Island:  Terri Hutchinson (866-5542)
August 25	Leed Trail:  Woody Carville (866-4005)
September 15	Brent Halsey Learning Center: Jay Johnson (866-2511)
October 6	Forest Avenue South:  Jay Fortier (866-0493), Gail White (866-4520)

 

 

SUN SHINES FOR WINTER OUTING

 

       Although the forecasts for February 10 were not encouraging, the day dawned with pleasant weather.  When we assembled at Ayers Island, the sun was shining brightly and the temperature was above freezing. Alan and Terri Hutchinson  made and posted trail-head signs, Sally Jacobs and Deta Pearce brought goodies to share, and Nancy Bauer, Margaret Campbell, Kris Sader, Gail and Jim White, Beth White, Margaret Clancey, Keith Sherman, Cheryl Daigle, and Anne and Jay Johnson enjoyed the outing and sharing the welcome refreshments at trail's end.

       Deta led the way around the north loop and those of us in the tail were surprised to meet the leaders returning along the north shore. They had discovered the cause of an outage reported earlier by Joey DiSanto - there was a power line down across the path and one of the double power poles was charred for several feet at the top!

        We retraced our steps and went north on the river side where golden-eye ducks put on a show for us, an eagle was spotted flying overhead, and we enjoyed the views while getting blown around by the stiff winds. On the south side of the island we enjoyed similarly fine scenery of the downstream viewing spot and then returned along the south trail to the parking lot and our lunches.  The consensus was that the trail and the island were enjoyable with lots of potential for the future - we hope many others will take advantage of them!                         - Jay Johnson

 

THANK YOU TO Gail White and friend Lara from Switzerland, Terri and Alan Hutchinson, Nancy Bauer, Paul Schroeder, John Hackney, Jay Johnson, and Ginny Whitaker for their efforts to improve the trail route on January 20, and the Hutchinson's for the pleasant view of Ayers Island and coffee and pastries.

GOULD'S LANDING UPDATE

The long awaited walk at Gould's Landing to survey the trail possibilities on the Maine Department of Transportation Mitigation land had to be postponed twice due to snow storms and interfering meetings. The Pushaw Trail Committee walk with the MDOT landscape architect and the volunteer coordinator is now being rescheduled for sometime between March 19 and 29. Anyone interested in participating please call Sally at 866 4520 or e-mail at sjacobs@maine.edu.

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

FOR SPRING TRAILS DAY PROJECTS

 

Project volunteers are needed for Trails Day on Saturday, April 21st.  If you are interested, you may sign up to work on a specific trail at the Annual Meeting or by calling Gail White at 866-0041. The following projects have been identified at this time:

·      Marking all trails and creating maps; 

·      Clean-up activities for Sklar Park; re-routing a trail around Sky Meadow and building a bridge across Johnny Mac Brook at the far end of Sky Meadow;

·      Bush hog needed for Ayers Island trail;

·      Clean-up activities for the Colburn Area;

·      Clear trails and pond area around the Tech Park.

 

Spring Trails Day to be held on Saturday, April 21st at 9:00 a.m. with a raindate on Sunday, April 22nd at 1:00 p.m.

   

Members, please join one or more of OLT's committees listed below:

 

Lands - The core committee, always on the lookout for new areas, monitors land-use changes.

Sally Jacobs and Sharon Tisher, Co-Chairs

Stewardship and Trails - Backbone of OLT, monitors areas, maintains trails for public use.

Gail White Trails, Co-Chair, Colburn/Cota Steward
Wendall Tremblay, Stewardship Co-Chair

Program and Activities - Plans and conducts events and programs of education and entertainment.

Deta Pearce, Co-Chair

Public Relations - Helps tell the OLT story through newspaper articles and brochures. (This position is open. Interested?)    

Newsletter - Writes, publishes and distributes the newsletter for members; maintains mailing list.  

      Cheryl Daigle, Editor
      Margaret Campbell, Publisher

Membership - Encourages existing and new members to participate in OLT activities.

Jay Johnson Chair

Web site - Constructs and maintains the web site structure, facilities and data.

Sue Owen, Chair  
         Ginny Whitaker, Website Editor

  Land Trust Contributors in Calendar Year 2000

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MIGRATING AMPHIBIANS AND VERNAL POOLS:

Check out the Wetland Connections website at www.penbaymedia.com/wetland/

This site will be linked to the Maine Audubon website in the future, www.maineaudubon.org . Also watch for a link to the new Caribou Bog web page later this Spring.

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Winter Events A Success: Bog Talk and Art Café

Over forty people came to the Orono Public Library in early February to join OLT in learning about the mind-boggling nature of our local peatlands and the wildlife that call them home.  UM Professor Ron Davis and state wildlife biologists Phillip deMaynadier and Tom Hodgman gave a wonderful, educational slide presentation on Maine's peatlands and the special features found locally at Caribou Bog, including salamanders, turtles, dragonflies, and migratory birds that live in wild, boggy places.  Robert Miller led a discussion on what can be done in Orono to help protect the plants and wildlife found in Caribou Bog.  Look for an announcement of a follow-up presentation later this year. A special thank you to the Orono Public Library for co-sponsoring this interesting and informative event.

  On March 3rd, the Orono Arts Café brought out some uniquely talented individuals to entertain and help support OLT's new scholarship program.  Songs, music, poetry, good humor, and some fledgling actors gave way to rousing applause from a cheerful audience - encouraged along by the delectable dessert menu of Chocolate Decadence, Apple Pie, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, and more, all donated by what I imagine must be Orono's finest cooks. The Cat in the Hat trio led by Lynne Rampe was a personal favorite.  Thanks to all who came with the delicious  food, fun entertainment, and/or good cheer, and a special round of applause to the set-up and clean-up crew!            

~ Cheryl Daigle

 

Did You Know?  Frogs and salamanders breathe through their skin, so are particularly vulnerable to chemicals applied to lawns or otherwise introduced into the natural environment.  These creatures may be crossing lawns and roads in your neighborhood to reach vernal pools.