Our Partners
Our Partners in Conservation
Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative
Ten organizations began working together on the Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative (MtA2C) in 2002 to conserve the most important forests, fields, wetlands and marshes in a focus area that includes part of Kittery, Eliot, York, Ogunquit, Wells, and South Berwick. The group’s goal is to reach 19,000 acres of conserved natural lands and protected watersheds in the Mt. Agamenticus region. As of late 2024, there were 15,632 acres of protected open space within the focus area. Visit mta2c.org for more information.
Kittery Land Trust
Kittery Land Trust (KLT) is the land trust for Kittery, Maine and runs the 30-acre Nooney Farm to benefit the community through local agriculture, education, and outdoor recreation. KLT is a founding and current member of the Mt. A to Sea Conservation Initiative and protects over 1,000 acres of conservation land across Kittery through both conservation easements and ownership.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is another founding and current participant in the Mt. A to Sea Conservation Initiative. In 1966, USFWS worked with the State of Maine to establish the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge to preserve migratory bird habitat and waterfowl migration routes. The refuge spans 50 miles along the coast of southern Maine. York Land Trust currently partners with USFWS on land protection projects as well as salt marsh restoration work along the York River.
Great Works Regional Land Trust
Great Works Regional Land Trust (GWRLT) is a founding and current member of the Mt. A to Sea Conservation Initiative. GWRLT is the land trust for Eliot, South Berwick, Berwick, North Berwick, Wells, and Ogunquit and has conserved more than 8,000 acres of land across those towns since 1986.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) is another founding and current member of the Mt. A to Sea Conservation Initiative. Maine Coast Heritage Trust offers 165 public preserves with 192,500 acres conserved across the state. The organization is currently working closely with York Land Trust to conduct salt marsh restoration work along the York River. YLT also works closely with MCHT on land projects that fall within mutual focus areas. Recent collaborations protected 73 acres along the upper reaches of the York River.
Maine Farmland Trust
Maine Farmland Trust recently joined the Mt. A to Sea Conservation Initiative. Maine Farmland Trust protects farmland, supports farmers, and advances the future of farming. Their goal is to protect Maine farmland and revitalize Maine’s rural landscape by keeping agricultural lands working and helping farmers and communities thrive. YLT, MCHT, and Maine Farmland Trust collaborated to protect the 86-acre Blaisdell Brothers Family Farm in York in 2023.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy has conserved more than 2.4 million acres in Maine. They are both a founding and current member of the Mt. A to Sea Conservation Initiative and have several public preserves across southern Maine.
York River Wild & Scenic
In December 2022, York River and its major tributaries were designated into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The York River joined 227 other rivers in this national program that was established in 1968 to protect rivers for current and future generations. Designation into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System provides funding, resources, and technical assistance to support local river protection and preservation efforts. The local York River Stewardship Committee was formed after the river was designated and includes appointees from the four York River watershed towns: Eliot, Kittery, South Berwick and York. The Stewardship Committee currently works with York Land Trust and other partners to conduct salt marsh restoration on the York River. Grants awarded from the Stewardship Committee’s grant program have helped YLT with several current land projects.
Wells Reserve at Laudholm
Wells Reserve at Laudholm helped to found and currently participates in the Mt. A to Sea Conservation initiative. Within the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve focuses on education, conservation, and research, while Laudholm Trust focuses on fundraising and community building. The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve serves as the fiscal agent for the York River Stewardship Committee, the local partner for the nationally designated Wild and Scenic York River. The Wells Reserve also works with York Land Trust to monitor and restore salt marshes along the York River.
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) is a founding and current member of the Mt. A to Sea Conservation Initiative. MDIFW preserves, protects, and enhances the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the state. York Land Trust collaborates with MDIFW, Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group, and Conservation Science Global to document golden eagle presence, habitat use, and migratory movements in Maine.
Ag Allies
Ag Allies functions as part of the Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation District to work with Maine landowners and land trusts to increase the nesting success of grassland birds through on-farm incentive payments, technical assistance, outreach and education. Currently, YLT and Ag Allies partner with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to protect and spread awareness about threatened grassland birds, such as bobolinks, both on YLT land and throughout the town of York.
Mount Agamenticus Steering Committee
The mission of the Mount Agamenticus Steering Committee is to protect the region’s water quality and wildlife habitat while managing sustainable recreational opportunities for the general public on over 10,000 contiguous acres. The Steering Committee has developed a Public Access and Trail Plan to implement its mission and strives to maintain safe, responsible, and enjoyable public access to the region’s trail system without compromising the integrity of the area’s ecologically significant habitats. The landowners that make up the Mount Agamenticus Steering Committee include the towns of York and South Berwick, York Water District, Kittery Water District, Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Great Works Regional Land Trust, and York Land Trust.
Our Partners in Education
York Public Library
York Public Library (YPL) facilitates a free monthly nature-based storytime program at York Land Trust for babies, toddlers, and young children. YPL also regularly collaborates with YLT for other programs and events, including the Climate Series each spring and free community events!
York Ready for Climate Action
York Ready for Climate Action (YRCA) collaborates with York Land Trust and York Public Library to plan and execute a Climate Series of free programs each spring. These are a blend of virtual and in-person programs, all focused on climate issues and solutions on the coast of Maine. In 2025, YRCA and YLT also partnered with several other organizations to plan the annual Climate Action Fair.
The Center for Wildlife
The Center for Wildlife (CFW) is a neighboring nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate and strengthen relationships between humans, wildlife and the environment resulting in a healthier, more sustainable community. The Center for Wildlife often partners with York Land Trust to offer public programs centered around wildlife and wildlife conservation. These programs are held both at the YLT office and out on our public preserves. CFW also joins for free community events.
York Parks & Recreation
In 2024, York Parks & Recreation launched a free public paddling series on the York River with plans to continue the series each summer. York Land Trust often provides logistical and educational support on these programs, and the organizations also partner for special YLT members-only paddles up the York River to the Landing Trail at Smelt Brook Preserve. YLT also collaborates on programming with Parks & Recreation’s Center for Active Living and donates fresh produce to them throughout the growing season.
White Pine Programs
White Pine Programs is a nonprofit educational organization that offers nature-based education programs ranging from weekly, full day experiences to outdoor learning at schools to hour-long walks in the woods. White Pine Programs partners with YLT to offer a free monthly bird walk at Highland Farm Preserve on the third Wednesday of each month. The organizations also collaborate on experiential education field trips and other nature-based programs and events.
Agamenticus Ski Club
Agamenticus Ski Club is a non-profit organization located in York. Since 2011, they have provided educational cross-country ski programs to children and teens in grades 1-12 in the greater York Region. Each winter, Agamenticus Ski Club grooms and maintains the ski trails at YLT’s Highland Farm Preserve for use by both the club and the community.
ReVision Energy
ReVision Energy installed the solar panels on York Land Trust’s headquarters building and regularly presents free programming for community members to learn about their solar and other home energy options.