Recognizing that conserved land plays a vital role in protecting our entire watershed, 7 Lakes Alliance is working to conserve 7,000 additional acres by 2030. This will hopefully include conservation-minded landowners who donate both land and conservation easements that will be forever protected. 7 Lakes is also actively seeking grant funding from both public and private funders to support our land program.
Currently, 20% of the Belgrade Lakes region is conserved. In line with widely accepted conservation science, 7 Lakes has established a goal of safeguarding 30% of the region. This is also in support of the National and State of Maine 30 by 30 Conservation Initiative. This goal is supported by many scientific studies demonstrating compelling benefits, such as enhanced water quality, climate resilience, wildlife protection and the opportunity for low-impact recreation that fosters well-being in our community.
Conserved land lets Mother Nature do what she does best: absorb and filter runoff before it reaches our lakes. Conserved land is 10 times more protective of water quality than developed land. 7 Lakes Alliance considers many important criteria in evaluating land for conservation, but water quality protection is the most important consideration. Although shorefront land plays an incredibly important role in protecting our lakes, upland forests and wetlands are also effective in protecting water quality.
Dr. Christopher Monz, President and CEO of 7 Lakes noted that “protecting forested land is the most cost-effective means to preserve our watershed. Alum treatments, like the one 7 Lakes successfully did on East Pond and is planning for North Pond, are part of the solution but need to be a last resort, especially given the very high cost.”
7 Lakes is establishing a $1 million revolving land fund that can be used opportunistically to purchase land that meets the highest and most
compelling land conservation criteria to protect the Belgrade Lakes watershed. The summer appeal will support this effort. Please check the 7 Lakes website and this newspaper to hear about an exciting matching fund opportunity to double the impact of your donation. Please contact Noah Pollock at 207-495-6039 if you would like to discuss the opportunity to donate land or a conservation easement.
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