Date: May 5, 2014
Contact: Misha Mytar, 207-244-5100
Contact: David MacDonald, 207-288-3340
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT), a statewide land conservation organization, and Friends of Acadia (FOA), a non-profit organization supporting Acadia National Park, today announced that they have transferred their 37-acre parcel at Lower Hadlock Pond to Acadia National Park. The parcel includes 1,600 feet of frontage on the pond and a network of trails that has been used for quiet recreation for more than 100 years.
Since 2005, FOA and MCHT have been working in partnership to raise money and acquire privately held lands inside Acadia's boundaries as they become available from willing sellers. "Congress intended that these private lands inside park boundaries be part of Acadia National Park," said Sheridan Steele, Acadia National Park Superintendent. "We're fortunate that partners such as MCHT and FOA, and individual donors, are willing to help the National Park Service acquire these inholdings and ensure they are permanently preserved as part of our collective American heritage that millions of visitors come to enjoy each year."
MCHT and FOA worked in partnership since 2009 to acquire the land around Lower Hadlock Pond and assure a permanent conservation outcome. "It is extremely gratifying to be a part of a project that adds to Acadia's legacy of conservation—especially for such a beloved community resource as Lower Hadlock Pond," says MCHT president Tim Glidden. Conservation of the land has ensured continued public access to the pond and surrounding trails as well as protection of the water supply for the community of Northeast Harbor. The partners originally purchased the land from the Mount Desert Water District. The proceeds allowed the Water District to make capital improvements in water delivery infrastructure and ensure a clean public water supply for years to come.
David MacDonald, president of Friends of Acadia remarked, "Friends of Acadia had many local supporters for whom Lower Hadlock Pond is a very special place. We're grateful that their generosity helped FOA and MCHT purchase the property and donate it to the park. We're also very appreciative for the assistance of the Maine congressional delegation in supporting the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which provides critically important federal funding for land acquisition in Acadia." LWCF funds were used at various stages of the project to conserve portions of the property. Contributions from community members and private foundations helped MCHT and FOA secure the remainder of the property and donate it to the park.
About Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Maine Coast Heritage Trust is the local land trust for Mount Desert Island. The Trust is a statewide land conservation organization committed to protecting the character of Maine. Since 1970, Maine Coast Heritage Trust has helped conserve more than 141,000 acres in Maine, from the Isles of Shoals to Cobscook Bay, including more than 300 entire coastal islands. For more information, visit www.mcht.org.
About Friends of Acadia
Friends of Acadia is an independent nonprofit organization, founded in 1986. Its mission is to preserve the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and cultural distinctiveness of Acadia National Park and the surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations. Since 1986, FOA has granted $20 million for park and community conservation. The organization has 3,725 members, and makes possible the employment of more than 130 workers directly serving Acadia National Park. For more information, visit www.friendsofacadia.org.
