On Tuesday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m., Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) invites the public to a free screening of the film “Community Conservation: Finding the Balance between Nature and Culture” at the Harbor Theatre in Boothbay Harbor. This locally relevant documentary, created by Emmy Award-winning film maker Mark Ireland, features four Maine land trusts over the course of four seasons, and demonstrates their efforts toward conservation for all members of their community.

Community conservation is a concept that is at the heart of our mission and work at BRLT.  We are committed both to preserving land, and to connecting the diverse segments of our community to the land.  This requires a deep engagement with the public and is not a uniform process, but one unique to the needs of our region and its residents (both year-round and seasonal). Community conservation encourages listening to the community and shaping the work of the land trust to reflect and support the needs of the community it strives to serve. 

To that end, BRLT’s strives to meet a broad spectrum of community needs, from providing public access for hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, kayaking and canoeing, to supporting a working waterfront by providing dock access for lobstermen and shore access to clamflats. Our educational programming extends to schools in Boothbay, Edgecomb and Southport and involves collaborations that get kids outside year round. BRLT's new home at Oak Point Farm lends itself well to pursuing the aspirational values of the Community Conservation movement. Our aim for this preserve is to create universally accessible trails that provide outdoor recreation opportunities year-round, and for people of all mobility levels.

Following the screening, representatives from Boothbay Region Land Trust will be on hand for a Q and A, and an opportunity to share more about the types of community conservation happening locally through BRLT.  This event is free and registration is not required. For more information, contact BRLT Environmental Educator Tracey Hall at thall@bbrlt.org or 633-4818.