October 2021
In our ongoing efforts to conserve open space in York, we strive to reach and serve the entire expanse of our town. Recognizing that we had very few conserved lands east of Route One in Cape Neddick, we held a series of listening sessions with residents of that area to learn about the land they most cherish around their homes, the views they most appreciate, and the plants and wildlife they most care about protecting. We then strategized as an organization to see how we might accomplish protecting more lands in that region.
The result was the formulation of a Focus Area of 1,150-acres situated within a largely undeveloped block of forested land in Cape Neddick between Pine Hill Road and Shore Road. This area is in close proximity to the coast and hosts a diversity of wildlife, including wading birds and waterfowl and a handful of rare species such as Needham’s Skimmer (dragonfly) and Citrine Forktail (damselfly). Wetlands in the region behave as powerful natural sponges that prevent flooding and erosion during heavy storms, while also supporting vernal pools that provide habitat for sensitive amphibian and aquatic species. A network of trails exists in the area that local residents enjoy year-round, with rocky ledges that offer views of the ocean.
We established this Focus Area, in part, out of concerns about mounting development pressures in this region and related threats to local wildlife habitat. It was this development pressure that motivated landowner David Weare to contact York Land Trust in 2018 to discuss the possibility of selling his land for conservation, so that the trove of plants and animals that live there may continue to have access to large swathes of unfragmented habitat.
We’re now thrilled to report that we have purchased 132 acres of David’s land located east of Pine Hill Road in the new Focus Area. “We were fortunate to secure dedicated funds to support this project and are grateful for the generosity that made it possible,” says Doreen MacGillis, YLT Executive Director.
This land has been in the Weare family for hundreds of years, with their earliest presence dating back to the 1600s. Over the centuries, members of the family farmed and pastured the land. Today, David enjoys exploring the property by foot on trails around his home, and takes comfort in knowing that it will remain undeveloped for the benefit of plants and animals in perpetuity. “I’m glad to be able to continue to hear the owls hooting after sunset,” David says.
There are now five parcels of land protected in our Cape Neddick Focus Area; we currently have a 6th parcel under contract that will bring our total conserved acreage in this region to 261 acres. We’re delighted with this progress, and plan to continue reaching out to land owners to expand on what we have protected so far. We hope to eventually secure land with road frontage so that we may establish a parking area and public access to trails. In the meantime, we look forward to keeping you updated on our progress in protecting land in this region.