Collaboration + Vision = Conservation Win for York  

Situated along the upper reaches of the York River lies a recently conserved 47.5-acre parcel of scenic, unique marshland habitat. The York River winds through this vast stretch of gradually sloped marsh, which is home to a diverse array of sensitive vegetation and wildlife, such as the endangered Saltmarsh Sparrow. The permanent protection of this land showcases the brilliant collaboration among York Land Trust, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve an ecologically significant area that will benefit the community and health of the River for generations to come.  

Protecting this amount of undeveloped marshland is a rare opportunity considering its remarkable ecological value and location abutting a significant area of existing conservation land. “We were fortunate that a conservation-minded seller approached us before placing the property on the market,” said Doreen MacGillis, Land Protection Specialist for York Land Trust. “Despite the significant cost and complexities associated with the acquisition, we were able to work with our partners to complete the project within two years.” 

In an era of rapid development and a changing climate, our forests, marshlands, and waterways are under immense pressure and urgently need protection. The conservation of this land protects rare plants and animals along with their habitat, promotes clean water, and provides critical space for marsh migration with rising sea levels. As communities work toward effective climate change adaptations, conserving strategic parcels of land such as this is an essential tactic to promote climate resilience. Protecting marshland is important for addressing climate change for a myriad of reasons, including carbon sequestration and storage, biodiversity protection, and allowing space for marsh migration as sea levels rise and severe storms and tides become more frequent.  

Protecting this land is a priority on the local, regional, state, and national level. It supports the strategic priorities and focus areas of: 

• Local: York Land Trust – Upper Reaches of the York River 
• Regional: Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative – Focus Area 
• State of Maine: Maine Coast Heritage Trust – York River Whole Place 
• State of Maine: Focus Area of Statewide Significance – Beginning with Habitat 
• National: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Acquisition Boundary of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 
• National: York River’s designation as a Partnership Wild & Scenic River 

York Land Trust is thrilled to have helped protect the biodiversity of this sensitive habitat, strengthen the region’s climate resilience, and preserve the scenic beauty of this part of York. A project of this scale and importance was achieved because of conservation-minded landowners, effective teamwork, generous private philanthropy, and federal funding. We want to extend special gratitude to Maine Coast Heritage Trust for providing key resources and collaborating on this complex undertaking. We hope this project sets precedent for future opportunities and strengthens our community’s support of local conservation for the benefit of all.