The Harpswell Heritage Land Trust has received a $250,000 grant toward its purchase of the Tondreau property on Great Island.
The campaign is one of 20 new projects across the state that will receive funding from the Land for Maine’s Future program through a competitive grant process. In 2021, Gov. Janet Mills signed a state budget that added $40 million to the program. The 20 projects, approved by the Land for Maine’s Future Board in May, total $5.06 million.
“This large property includes valuable wildlife habitat and undeveloped shoreline. Conserving it protects the clean water of Quahog Bay, preserves habitat and will provide public access to a beautiful piece of land,” HHLT acting Executive Director Julia McLeod said. “We are grateful for the support from LMF, as well as for the owners’ dedication to seeing their land conserved.”
The Land Trust started raising funds for the 57-acre property last September and hopes to finish by the end of 2022. The acquisition will create the Anna M. Tondreau Preserve, HHLT’s 19th preserve with public access in Harpswell. Once it acquires the land, HHLT plans to build a loop trail and a parking lot on Harpswell Islands Road across the street from Harpswell Community School.
The Land Trust is raising money for the Tondreau property as part of its Forever Campaign, which also aims to grow HHLT’s endowment in order to protect and manage its conserved land in perpetuity. Learn more or donate at hhltmaine.org.
