News

KLT Highlights Preserves With Aerial Videos

 

KLT has protected many beautiful preserves throughout our community.  KLT wanted to capture the beauty of these preserves in all seasons. Dave Sandmire, KLT member, volunteered to do just that–he took videos of several KLT preserves in all seasons. This is a wonderful way to experience the properties in a new way. To check out the videos visit our new Youtube site! Thank you to Dave for spearheading this project.

Interested in supporting conservation and open space within our community? Become a member today!

18 Year Partnership With Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney Establish New Trails At KLT Preserve

Earlier this month, employees from Pratt & Whitney volunteered with the Kennebunk Land Trust (KLT) to establish a new network of trails at the Trust’s Clark Preserve, a 90 acre preserve with over 2,000 ft of frontage along the Kennebunk River.  The preserve lies adjacent to the Eastern Trail. This project was led by KLT’s stewardship committee and was part of United Way’s Day of Caring. KLT is a member powered organization and relies on its members and volunteers to achieve its mission. Interested in becoming a member or volunteer? Contact KLT at kennebunklandtrust@gmail.com

 

Hope Woods Celebration, 2019

Hope For The Future–Saving Hope Woods

Kennebunk, ME June 10, 2019 – On May 19, 2019, the community gathered in the meadow of Hope Woods to celebrate the success of the Hope Woods Conservation Initiative.  Attendees heard from Hope Woods Conservation Co-chairs George C. Harrington and Tom Wellman, Hope Cemetery Presisent Betsy T. Stevens, Honorary Co-chairs Tom and Kate Chappell, Land for Maine’s Future representative Tom Miragliuolo, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust Land Protection Manager Keith Fletcher. A ceremonial ribbon cutting opened the trails to all forever.

 

Refreshments were provided by Destination Catering, with their vintage Airstream Caravan serving ice cream and homemade rhubarb soda instead of the usual cocktails and raw bar. The day’s events concluded with guided walks of Hope Woods with Maine Master Naturalists Gordon Collins, Joan Hull, and Linda Grenfell.

 

“We are pleased and grateful to have met our campaign goal of $1.4 million, which has saved the Woods and provided much-needed funds for the financial stability of Hope Cemetery,” said George C. Harrington. The campaign raised funds to begin work on a universally accessible trail, and we are already beginning. We will continue to seek donations for this and other projects.”

 

“Kennebunk Land Trust is proud to be the conservation easement holder for Hope Woods and we look forward to partnering with the Friends of Hope Cemetery & Woods to enhance public access to open space and protect areas that allow wildlife to thrive,” said KLT Director Sarah Stanley.

 

All are invited to enjoy Hope Woods – open daily from dawn to dusk. Access the trails from the rear of Hope Cemetery on Barnard Lane, Wood Pond Lane, Fletcher Street across from Mechanic Street, or at Woodhaven Drive. A copy of the trail map can be downloaded from the Hope Cemetery & Woods website https://hopecemeterykennebunk.com/woods/ or pick up a copy at Kennebunk Free Library, Kennebunk Parks & Recreation office, or Kennebunk Land Trust office.

Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting in Celebration of Hope Woods Conservation Initiative Success: Front row l-r: Laura Dolce (KKA Chamber of Commerce), Tom Chappell (Honorary Co-Chair), Kate Cheney Chappell (Honorary Co-Chair), George C. Harrington (Campaign Co-Chair), Betsy T. Stevens (Hope Cemetery Corporation), Sarah Stanley (Kennebunk Land Trust), Bonnie Pothier (Sen. King’s office), and Prentiss Kurtz (Sen. Collins’ office). Back row l-r: Tom Miragliuolo (Land for Maine’s Future), Brad Paige (Kennebunk Savings), Tom Wellman (Campaign Co-Chair), and Blake Baldwin (Kennebunk Selectman).

 

Environmental Speaker Series: York County Beekeepers Assoc. Sponsored by A Place To Start

A Sweet Program With The York County Beekeepers Assoc.

About a dozen people joined KLT at A Place To Start on Main Street in Kennebunk for the second Environmental Speaker Series with York County Beekeepers Association. The Beekeepers presented on the importance of pollinators and shared some honey  samples. This program was sponsored by A Place To Start in Kennebunk.

Prior Environmental Speaker Series have included presentations by peer organizations such as Center For Wildlife. Prior Speaker Series sponsors include businesses such as Hampton Inn–Kennebunk/Kennebunkport. Interested in sponsoring a series? Contact us at 207-985-8734.

 

First Environmental Speaker Series Was A Success!

40+ people joined the Kennebunk Land Trust for the organization’s first speaker series of the year. This first program was held on Saturday, May 18th. Center For Wildlife shared a presentation on raptors, reptiles, and mammals of Maine. The Center’s animal ambassadors were present, allowing folks a close up view of some wonderful wildlife. This first program was sponsored by Hampton Inn-Kennebunk/Kennebunkport. Thank you to all who joined us at this program. If you enjoyed this program or would like to participate in other KLT programs, please consider supporting KLT through membership. Membership makes these outreach opportunities possible.

 

Madelyn Marx 1924 – 2019

 

Leaving a Legacy

Marx Preserve

Photo courtesy of KLT volunteer, Brooke Larrabee, who is conducting a year long photo project on Marx Preserve.
We are dedicating this project in memory of Madelyn.

We are sad to share the news of the passing of  KLT founder, Madelyn Marx, 1924-2019.

Madelyn was one of the Founders during the late 1960s of the Kennebunk Conservation Commission and served as its chairwoman. When a major oil refinery complex was proposed in the early 1970s for Sanford, she played a major organizational role in the Friends of Intelligent Land Use which opposed and defeated the project.
In 1998, the Kennebunk Land Trust recognized Madelyn’s pioneering dedication to land conservation by establishing the 14-acre Madelyn Marx Preserve along the Mousam River. In a Coast Star interview at that time, Madelyn credited her conservationist mother for shaping her love of Maine’s coast, open spaces, and forests. She said, “I picked it up from her.”

Please view her full obituary at Bibber Memorial 

Interested in purchasing a Winter Dine Around Card?

Cost of card is $30. All proceeds benefit KLT. The recipient receives a one-time 10% discount off their bill from participating restaurants (unless otherwise indicated on card). Card can be used for up to a party of 2 people. The card is valid January 1st through June 1st 2019, excludes alcohol and holidays.

Card can be purchased at the KLT Office or online using the donate page. Once at the donate page, select the donate button and donate $30 (there is note a specific option for the winter dine around card). We will reach out to confirm your transaction was to purchase a card. Click here  to visit the donate page and purchase a card. Cards can be mailed to the address associated with your purchase. This is not a tax deductible donation.

Questions? Call us at 207-985-8734.

Thank you to our participating restaurants:

On The Marsh

Ports of Italy

Duffy’s Tavern & Grill

Sebago Brewing Company

Lucky Star

50 Local

Old Vines Wine Bar

Squaretoes

Crotux Kitchen & Taphouse

The Blue (unlimited visits)

 

KLT Seeks Part Time Development & Administrative Manager

Kennebunk Land Trust

Development and Administrative Manager

Overview

The Kennebunk Land Trust (KLT) seeks a highly motivated individual who will represent and promote the Trust and its mission in a positive and energetic manner and is committed to working in partnership with the community we serve. This position shares responsibilities with the Director for implementing KLT’s mission and assisting with promoting development. The candidate will be highly organized and have the facility to respond to several requests in a small office environment while addressing varying demands. Computer skills are required and an interest in learning how to utilize our donor management program, Donor Perfect, familiarity with Quickbooks, and record keeping is essential. The candidate will meet deadlines, keep schedules, and maintain effective filing systems. Respect and the ability to honor confidentiality are necessary.

This is a part time position (20-25 hours per week). Occasional evening and weekend work required. Compensation commensurate with experience.

The Kennebunk Land Trust, originally known as the Ramanascho Land Preservation Trust, was founded in 1972 to preserve and protect significant natural spaces in the Kennebunk, Arundel, and Lyman area. As one of southern Maine’s oldest working land trusts, the Trust has preserved over 3,400 acres of forest, fields and waterways, including 1,600 acres of the Kennebunk Plains. Of these preserved lands, more than 300 acres are conservation easements managed for private landowners.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Development

  • Responsibilities for initiating, maintaining, and protecting all development records, including those associated with donations/annual appeal and various financial accounts.
  • Receive and track all contributions and capital gifts, generate thank you correspondence.
  • Record all donations and gifts in Donor Perfect (donor management program).
  • Coordinate annual appeal and membership mailings.
  • Generate development reports when requested by Director/Board of Directors.
  • Work with the Development Committee on events and programs and serve as liason for that committee.
  • Support and collaborate with Director on fundraising activities and programs.
    • Auction- larger events, like the Auction, require specific duties:
      • Maintain accurate records pertaining to items solicited and event advertising
      • Generate correspondence, invoices, and thank you letters
      • Develop proficiency with auction software
      • Coordinate delivery and storage of auction items.

Administrative

  • Record, copy, and deposit all funds
  • Track all finances in Quickbooks
  • Answer phones/greet visitors
  • Schedule and maintain logistics for meetings and events
  • Assume responsibility for maintaining office equipment
  • Keep office supplies and all files organized and accessible.
  • Assist Director with appropriately utilizing volunteers.
  • Maintain record of volunteer activity and time log
  • Coordinate mailing of KLT newsletter, membership letter, and annual appeal letter
  • Update and maintain list of media contacts and deadlines
  • Create and distribute announcements via Constant Contact (email) and social media.
  • Review and compile data gathered during Annual monitor reports of KLT preserves.
  • Work with Director to ensure timeline response to stewardship concerns.

Qualifications

  • The successful candidate must have enthusiasm and experience working with volunteers, community members, and donors.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills.
  • The ability to work independently but also the desire to support a team
  • Flexibility concerning work schedule
  • Good judgement, leadership, professionalism.
  • 3-5 years of office experience.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word
  • Proficiency with Quickbooks and Constant Contact (email).
  • Proficiency with social media.
  • Proficiency with donor management software.
  • Demonstrate organization skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Interested applicants may submit a resume and cover letter to Sarah Stanley, Director of Kennebunk Land Trust, at sstanley@kennebunklandtrust.org

 

 

KLT Appoints New Director

The Kennebunk Land Trust (KLT) is excited to welcome Sarah Stanley as the organization’s new Director. KLT’s current Executive Director, Gordon Collins, is retiring after 2.5 years on staff and previously serving on the Trust’s Board of Directors.

As a native of southern Maine, Sarah has demonstrated a deep commitment to the state through her interest in the environment and conservation. Sarah is a Bates College alumna with a background in Environmental Studies, Politics, and Geology. She is a Registered Recreational Maine Guide, is certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid, and holds a private pilot’s license and seaplane rating.  Sarah previously worked as KLT’s Development & Administrative Manager. While at KLT, Stanley led the organization’s outreach efforts, creating new programs that encouraged partnerships with local businesses as well as connected with larger companies, like Google, to establish new ways to interact with the public and promote community conservation. She also increased KLT’s fundraising efforts through both grants and events. She is excited to establish new relationships with members, strengthen existing relationships, and continue to work toward achieving the Trust’s mission of preserving and stewarding land to benefit both natural and human communities.  Sarah can be reached at the Kennebunk Land Trust, located at 6 Brown Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043 or by calling 207-985-8734.