It was a very busy year for Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) in 2017. We now have an incredible new property under our management, an organizational location change and, of course, have been working diligently to pay for it all. We are pleased to report significant progress is being made.

Volunteers and staff have been hard at work these past months raising funds needed to cover the $1.4 million purchase price of Oak Point Farm, as well as funds for property expenses, facility improvements, and endowment. Not only have we had many generous donors already step forward to support this cause, but we have had a tremendous response from granting agencies.

So far, we have been awarded a total of $265,000 in grants from the following foundations: A.R. & Marylouise Tandy Foundation ($50,000), Chester & Muriel Dawes Charitable Foundation ($150,000), Davis Conservation Foundation ($25,000), Elizabeth Ann Leach Charitable Trust ($15,000), Fields Pond Foundation ($20,000), and Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust ($5,000). We are so grateful to each one of these agencies. The grants received thus far are supporting a range of expenses, including acquisition costs, property improvements for enhanced public access, and facility modifications in support of our educational programming at Oak Point Farm.

We are also most grateful for a recent pledge by First National Bank of $25,000 towards this project. Local business support reaffirms the community importance of Oak Point Farm. Not only does this preserve provide for BRLT’s administrative and educational needs as we look toward the future, but it also serves as a spectacular new destination for local residents and visitors alike, offering year-round outdoor recreation and exploration.

This fundraising effort is ongoing and we will continue to provide updates along the way. Please contact Boothbay Region Land Trust’s Development Director, Skye Wood, at vwood@bbrlt.org or (207) 633-4818 if you would like to learn more about how you can get involved.