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

Above photo courtesy of Marx Preserve was taken by KLT volunteer, Brooke Larrabee, who conducted a year long photo project on Marx Preserve. The photo project was completed in May 2019 and
 dedicated 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 

Photo of Madelyn Marx in the late 1950s in front of Strawberry Island, one of KLT’s early acquisitions and a special place for Madelyn.

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.

KLT & Friends of Hope Cemetery & Woods Announce Partnership to Conserve Hope Woods

Hope Woods, October 28th, 2018. Photo by: Brooke Larrabee.

 The Kennebunk Land Trust (KLT)  has entered an exciting new collaboration with two local organizations, the Friends of Hope Woods and the Hope Cemetery Corporation. Hope Woods is located on Barnard Lane, just off of Rt. 1 in Kennebunk. The Cemetery owns 72 acres of undeveloped forest and open meadows situated directly behind the cemetery. KLT is partnering to conserve this land through a conservation easement. The 72 acres is comprised of a 2-mile network of trails and an abundance of wildlife; it provides a natural oasis of open space adjacent to Kennebunk’s bustling downtown area. It is an exceptional recreational area containing a constellation of giant cedars, copper beech trees, a large hemlock grove, and many towering pines.

Today, Hope Cemetery finds itself struggling to maintain the cemetery, placing the future of Hope Woods in question. Through this partnership, we hope to raise funds to create a permanent sanctuary of tranquility and natural beauty in the heart of downtown Kennebunk, where residents and visitors alike can seek peace and rejuvenate on lands linked to our past.

Harvest Festival 2018 marked the launch of the public phase of this campaign. KLT has pledged a gift of $50,000 with an opportunity for up to a $100,000 public match. We hope this gift inspires greater public support to conserve this green space located in the heart of our village! Check our  website’s calendar or follow us on social media to learn of upcoming guided walks of the preserve.

 

 

Report To Community 2018

This year’s Report To Community & Thank You Reception took place on Tuesday, Sept. 18th at the Brick Store Museum Program Center. KLT shared several accomplishments and plans for the future. Staff  and Board Members at KLT were proud to report several new initiatives, projects, and programs as well as the enhancement of annual events.

A few highlights:

  • New programs such as a Par 3 Golf Tournament designed to engage with business leaders in the community.
  • Google Trekker collaboration. Visit our “Properties” section to experience a virtual walk!
  • Continued/lasting stewardship volunteer opportunities.
  • Another successful auction with new features and a fun Kentucky Derby theme.
  • Announcement of KLT’s new partnership to conserve Hope Woods, located behind Hope Cemetery in Kennebunk.
  • The above photo depicts Tim Glidden, President of Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Glidden was this year’s guest speaker. To view the slideshow from Tim’s presentation, please see the link below.

Tim’s Presentation: 9.18.18

 

KLT Par 3 Golf Tournament

The Kennebunk Land Trust Par 3 Golf Tournament at Hillcrest Golf was a success again this year. We had about 50 players. It was a fun afternoon supporting local conservation.

Hole Sponsors:

Avita of Wells

Sanford/Springvale Chamber of Commerce

Griffon Security Technologies

CU Security Solutions

Cole Harrison Insurance

Blue Rock Industries

Sanford Flooring

Town Square Realty Group

Law Office of Jessie L. Krall

JAK Designs

R&E Associates

HMH Vises

Bowl A Rama- Sanford

Rustic Taps

Owen’s Farmhouse

York County Federal Credit Union

Westbrook Creek LLC

Food/Beverage Sponsors:

Kennebunk Subway

Down East Wine

 

Kennebunk Land Trust Collaborates With Google, Offers Virtual Walks

Last Fall, The Kennebunk Land Trust (KLT) engaged in a unique project with Google that allows the public to virtually experience many of the Trust’s preserves. The Land Trust used the Google Street View Trekker, a wearable backpack with a camera system. The Trekker is worn and walked through pedestrian walkways or trails on foot, automatically gathering images as it goes. That imagery is then stitched together to create the 360-degree panoramas you see today in Google Maps. Staff and volunteers walked several of the Kennebunk Land Trust’s most visited preserves, using the camera to record the walks. Anyone from across the globe can now virtually experience these areas as a result of this collaboration with Google. The goal of this project is to enhance access to the natural environment and foster new connections with a broader audience. This virtual trail system will aid in ensuring that these preserves can be enjoyed by all, regardless of age, ability, or distance.

Land Trust sites that were trekked are listed below. Click on the link of each site to begin your own virtual walk. Though not a KLT preserve, Hope Woods was selected because of the Land Trust’s new partnership to protect the woods through a conservation easement. All of the walks were recorded in Autumn to highlight the beautiful Fall foliage.

The Kennebunk Land Trust, founded in 1972, has conserved over 3,400 acres throughout its history, including the Kennebunk Plains. KLT is a membership driven organization and relies on its dedicated members and volunteers to achieve its mission of permanently conserving and stewarding land for both natural and human communities. Visit www.kennebunklandtrust.org or call 207-985-8734 to learn more.

List of Sites:

Hope Woods

Wonder Brook Preserve

Oxbow Preserve

Mousam River Wildlife Sanctuary

Secret Garden Preserve

Butler Preserve

Alewive Woods Preserve

Snow Stroll 2018

Kennebunk Land Trust Snow Stroll 2018 with Boulangerie, A Proper Bakery

On Saturday, February 10th, 2018, community members gathered at the Mousam River Wildlife Preserve for a guided naturalist walk led by KLT’s staff and leaders of the land trust’s stewardship committee.

The Mousam River Wildlife Sanctuary is a 38-acre preserve with over 2,400 feet of frontage along the Mousam River. The trails can be described as easy to moderate in terms of level of difficulty. This special walk was part of  Appalachian Mountain Club’s Great Maine Outdoor Weekend and Kennebunk’s Paint the Town Red month. After the walk, friends strolled over to Boulangerie, a Proper Bakery for a pastry and a hot drink!

KLT hosts bi-monthly naturalist walks that are free and open to the public. Because this was a special walk and small fundraiser, walkers were asked to contribute $10. We would like to thank all those who participated and Boulangerie for partnering with us on this event. If you’d like to learn more about upcoming events please visit the calendar of events section of our website!

 

KLT & K’Bunk New School Students!

  

KLT Stewardship Committee & Students From K’Bunk’s New School Conduct Trail Work!

Shortly before Thanksgiving, members of the Kennebunk Land Trust’s Stewardship Committee spent two days working with students from the New School, located in Kennebunk. Students enjoyed spending time with members from the Stewardship committee and engaging in trail work at the Trust’s Secret Garden Preserve. Students from the New School have volunteered previously with the Land Trust and the Trust was excited to work with students again this year!