2026 is a special year: York Land Trust is celebrating 40 years of conservation success!
This year, York Land Trust celebrates four decades of hard work conserving York’s wild beauty, one parcel at a time. For 40 years, YLT has preserved significant lands and waterways in the York region while maintaining responsibility, integrity, and respect for the land that we hold and the partnerships we have developed.
Since 1986, YLT has successfully:
- Protected nearly 4,000 acres of forest, fields, wetlands, and waterways
- Brought millions in federal and state funding into York
- Created seven public access preserves with 15+ miles of recreational trails
- Strengthened partnerships with local, state, and federal groups
- Provided connections to nature through 90 free educational programs each year
York Land Trust prioritizes land that has significant ecological, cultural, or historical features; land that is contiguous with other conservation pieces is especially critical to protect, as this helps to create unfragmented wildlife corridors and habitats. Currently, York Land Trust has 13 active land projects, totaling 590 acres in the works.
For our 40th anniversary, we took a look back at five of our most iconic land projects through the years:
2003: Sewall’s Dock at Sewall’s Bridge
This dock was the first ever conservation easement on working waterfront property in the state of Maine. The project took the cooperation between two lobstermen and the York Land Trust with support from the Island Institute and Coastal Enterprises, Inc. It served as a template for future working waterfront protection projects in other parts of the state.
2009: Highland Farm Preserve
Formerly a nine-hole golf course, the Highland Farm Preserve property was purchased in 2009 as part of the Mt. Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative. Stone walls, centuries-old cemeteries, a cairn, and a cellar hole provide a glimpse into the area’s past while hiking trails show off the beauty of a protected ridgeline.
2013: Plaisted Field
In 2013, York Land Trust protected York’s historic “bovine field” off Spur Road, forever preserving the iconic gateway-to-town view of grazing cows. Close to ten acres of field are protected, thanks in large part to York voters, who approved $300,000 for the project in May 2012. A local farmer’s belted cows graze these fields each year to this day.
2016: Near Point Preserve
This important acquisition along the Smelt Brook tributary of the York River created York Land Trust’s forever home. Nestled within Near Point Preserve’s 27 acres of field and forest and now an important community gathering place, the York Land Trust office is solar-powered. It supports many educational programs and a four-bed organic garden.
2017: Fuller Forest Preserve
Fuller Forest Preserve is a sustainably-managed working hardwood forest with four miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Located close to York Village and York Harbor, it provides critical wildlife habitat with 220 acres of mixed hardwood forest, ponds, streams, and forested wetlands. This preserve celebrates the enduring legacy of YLT co-founder Marion Fuller Brown and her family.
York Land Trust is excited to keep up the momentum and see what the next 40 years bring. We couldn’t do the work we do without our dedicated members and volunteers; thank you for your support as we usher in the next chapter of YLT and continue protecting the beautiful place we call home!