Great Works Regional Land Trust Completes Critical Salmon Falls River Conservation Project, Completing First Phase of Woods to Waters Campaign
On September 10th, Great Works Regional Land Trust (GWRLT) acquired the last remaining parcels of the Salmon Falls River Tidal Waters Project, thus completing phase one of their $3 million Woods to Waters Campaign and protecting over 150 acres across two distinct sites within the Salmon Falls Watershed.
The 79-acre Salmon Falls River Tidal Waters site in South Berwick, Maine includes nine acres of saltmarsh and seven acres of tidal mudflat of high conservation value and helps provide excellent climate resiliency for the community. Standing alongside Vaughan Woods State Park and the Historic New England Property Hamilton House on Oldfields Road, the conservation of this land is a truly exciting accomplishment. Now protected, this land is a valuable addition to the largest unfragmented block of wildlife habitat south of Portland within the state. In addition to the Salmon Falls River Tidal Waters site, the Woods to Waters Campaign also conserved the summit and surrounding 75 acres of Bauneg Beg Mountain in North Berwick just one year ago.
These two projects, combined under the Woods to Waters Campaign, constitute GWRLT’s most ambitious capital campaign to date. Thanks to the shared vision of the community and diligent work of volunteers and GWRT staff, support for these conservation efforts was remarkable. Three municipal votes across North and South Berwick, secured $300,000 from town undesignated funds and quantified majority support from citizens—in excess of 78% favoring these projects in each vote. In turn, this support helped GWRLT secure over $1.5 million from federal, state, and private foundation sources, as well as nearly $1 million in support from landowners across these project sites. With less than $300,000 solicited from individual contributors and other local organizations, GWRLT successfully minimized the financial burden of community stakeholders while delivering two unique ecological, recreational, and cultural resources for all to enjoy.
With the immense pressure of development in the region, it is no surprise that these two sites were considered prime for residential development. But thanks to the shared vision and persistence of the landowners, community members, GWRLT staff, and especially volunteer project managers Tin Smith and Tom Gilmore, this land is now protected in perpetuity.
GWRLT Executive Director Jordan Kelley notes, “On behalf of our Board and our Members, we are so grateful to the hundreds of people who have contributed to this important effort. We are all in this together, and it’s amazing to see what a united community can do. We still have more work to do, and working toward an endowment to support this work is essential.” Both Conservation Areas are expected to open to the public by Fall 2025, featuring miles of accessible hiking trails and parking areas to support sustainable public enjoyment.
“I volunteer because I want to give back to an organization that gives so much to so many. Now that I’m retired, I have the time and enough of the necessary skills to be of service.”
– Rick Smart
