Our Vision

“To proactively conserve land in conservation focus areas and pursue projects that secure other significant ecological and community values.”
Land Protection in Strategic Plan
 
Recently Conserved land
Statewide Focus Area: Kennebec Estuary

4,582 acres of land protected

How to Protect Your Land

  • Donate land to KELT.

  • Inform KELT of your interest to sell land.

  • Utilize conservation easements or other legal agreements for landowners interested in retaining ownership while conserving their land in perpetuity.

  • Support KELT in community campaigns to raise funds to purchase a property of interest.

What We Protect

  • Key wildlife habitat supporting biological diversity.

  • Rivers, wetlands, marshes, bays and other waterways.

  • Working farms.

  • Forests.

  • Public access for outdoor recreation.

  • Aquaculture industry, supporting local economy. 

  • Our regions traditions and history. 

  • Space for outdoor learning and community building. 

  • Healthy air and water.

Landowner Benefits

  • Donation of land may qualify as a tax-deductible charitable gift.

  • Granting a conservation easement may result in property tax savings.

  • Leave a valuable legacy for future generations. 

This information doesn't constitute legal or tax advice, and we recommend that landowners consult with a tax advisor, estate planner, and attorney before proceeding with a charitable gift of land or a conservation easement.

Conservation Options: A Guide for Maine Landowners

Fee Properties

KELT currently stewards 2,592 acres of fee property conservation land. For some landowners, preserving the land they love means they want KELT to own the land - protecting fragile habitat, developing recreation potential, and offering significant public benefit.

KELT Conserved Land Map

Trail Access

  • Beaver Pond Preserve, Westport Island - 45 acres

  • Bonyun Preserve, Westport Island - 118.7 acres

  • Center Point Preserve, Bowdoinham - 31.76 acres

  • Green Point Preserve, West Bath - 45 acres

  • Higgins Mountain Preserve, Georgetown - 41.5 acres

  • Lilly Pond Community Forest, Bath - 532.78 acres

  • Merrymeeting Fields Preserve, Woolwich - 125 acres

  • Morse Pond Preserve, Georgetown - 280.88 acres

  • Thorne Head Preserve, Bath - 88 acres

  • Red Rose Preserve, Bowdoinham - 63 acres

  • Segerstrom Preserve, Westport Island - 159.7 acres

  • Sewall Woods Preserve, Bath - 109.13 acres

  • Weber Kelly Preserve, Georgetown - 108.18 acres

  • Whiskeag Creek Preserve, Bath - 58.5 acres

Water Access

  • Brick Island Preserve, Bowdoinham - 6 acres

  • Iceboro Landing, Richmond - 11 acres

  • Varney Island Preserve, Bath - 9.8 acres

Properties with recreation infrastructure

Easement Properties

Conservation Easement

KELT has conserved 1,990 acres through conservation easements. Land is donated or placed under a conservation easement, a legal agreement that remains with the land, forever. They are among the most meaningful legacies a person or family can leave to future generations. When completed, it is the job of the land trust to make sure that promise is kept. Refer to Conservation Property Map for access information.

Easements with public access:

Agricultural Easement

An agricultural easement is a form of conservation easement. It is designed and developed with farm use as the top priority and remains in effect on the land regardless of ownership. Like a conservation easement, this is a voluntary, legal agreement with the landowner. This keeps the farm in private ownership and as a farm forever. These types of easements support local food in our communities.