South Portland lands and trails were featured in Maine The Way’s latest blog post: Daytrip to South Portland!
South Portland Land Trust Launches Earth Day Events
South Portland Land Trust is happy to announce their Earth Day 2022 plans, which include a day full of events honoring our city, trails, and planet Earth along with online pre-registration for each event.
We’ll kick off Earth Day, April 2022, with a virtual En-ROADS Climate Workshop. Join Sam Allen, a Professor Emeritus of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT and En-ROADS facilitator, to learn about En-ROADS (Energy-Rapid Overview and Decision-Support)—a global model based on the latest climate science used around the world by governments, businesses, universities, and the public. To learn more about this virtual presentation and to pre-register, visit our Events page here.
On Sunday, April 23, the Land Trust will host a Citywide Earth Day Clean Up with check-in sites located throughout the city. On the East side of South Portland, check in at Mill Creek Park and clean up the Greenbelt toward Bug Light. In the Central part of the city, check in at the lot outside of Dock’s Seafood and clean up the Greenbelt in both directions. On the West side of South Portland, check in at the South Branch trailhead and clean up along the trail. Check in begins at 9:00am. Choose a site to check in at, gather your supplies, learn where to leave the litter, and go! To learn more and pre-register for our citywide clean up, visit our Events page here.
At 1:30pm, join the Land Trust for a Trail Maintenance Project at Clark’s Pond Trail! This is a moderate trail maintenance project that involves spreading woodchips, along with other tasks. To learn more and pre-register for our Earth Day Trail Maintenance Project, visit our Events page here.
As a bonus, the Land Trust will host a Trout Book Trail Walk and Education Session on Sunday, April 24th, at 1:00pm. Join the SPLT and Fred Dillon, City of South Portland Stormwater Coordinator, for a walk around the nature preserve while learning about all of the restoration efforts that have taken place in the area over the years. To learn more and pre-register for this walk, visit our Events page here.
If you have questions about the South Portland Land Trust’s Earth Day activities, contact Dana Bettez, Membership & Engagement Manager, at dana@sopolandtrust.org.
To learn more about these events, plus other Earth Month events throughout the city, visit southportlandlandtrust.org/earthmonth2022
South Portland Land Trust Supports Land Bond Ordinance
South Portland Land Trust Supports Land Bond Ordinance
Organization encourages residents to vote YES to support the bond referendum
South Portland Land Trust supports the Land Bond Ordinance (#2-21/22) that will appear on South Portland ballots in November. Election Day is Tuesday, November 2. Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and you can also vote early. Visit the City Clerk for complete details on how to cast your ballot.
What is the Land Bond Ordinance?
The Land Bond Ordinance will make it possible for the City of South Portland to purchase land within city limits for recreational use, the preservation of natural habitats, climate change mitigation, and long-term environmental sustainability. The Land Bond gives the City the ability to proactively protect open space and ensure smart development. The Land Bond helps to ensure that healthy communities are prioritized just as much as new housing and retail space.
Why does South Portland Land Trust support the ordinance?
The mission of South Portland Land Trust is to conserve open space in the City and link neighborhoods with a growing network of trails. The goals of the Land Bond directly align with the organization's goals to conserve open space in South Portland.
Why is it important to pass the Land Bond at this time?
South Portland faces intense development pressure and it’s critical to protect key pieces of land with substantial value to our community - before the opportunity is lost forever. Over the last ten months, the City has already approved over 5 acres of open space for development.*
Most importantly, climate change is a real threat to our community. By keeping coastal or adjacent lands undeveloped, we can mitigate the effects of rising sea levels and flooding. In addition, by protecting certain parcels of forested land, we can lessen the “heat island effect” (which makes built-up neighborhoods significantly hotter than ones that include natural features) - a growing concern as extreme temperatures become more common.
Additional reasons it is important to pass the Land Bond now:
To ensure spaces for outdoor recreation near our homes and schools. The Land Bond will also help the City meet its goal that all South Portland residents live within ½ mile or less from a park or open space by 2035.
To ensure that we can amend land management practices in the City to enhance carbon sequestration and storage
To continue to protect, restore, and expand healthy forests and wetlands; create a thriving, inclusive, low-carbon community for ourselves and generations to come.
How much will the Land Bond cost?
For a person who owns a home valued at $325,000 (the average value in the City currently) the cost of the bond would be under $17 per year over a period of 20 years (according to data as of 09/15/21.) Residents whose homes are valued at less than $325,000 would pay a bit less; those with homes valued at more would pay a bit more. The amount of the proposed bond is $4.5 million.*
*Information obtained from the Open Space Acquisition Committee (OSAC).
South Portland Land Trust Hosts Trail Clean-up for National Public Lands Day
MEDIA BRIEF
For Immediate Release
September 14, 2021
Contact: Michelle Smith
207-838-0511
South Portland Land Trust Hosts Trail Clean-up for National Public Lands Day
Funding from One Tree Planted will support the organization’s efforts on South Branch Trail
South Portland, Maine - South Portland Land Trust (SPLT) will host a trail clean-up at South Branch Trail on Saturday, September 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate National Public Lands Day. The trailhead for South Branch Trail is located on Philbrook Road near the eastern entrance to JCPenney at the Maine Mall. The trail clean-up is made possible thanks to generous support from One Tree Planted, a Vermont-based organization that helps to fund reforestation efforts around the globe.
Trail work will include building new bog bridges, cutting back brush, removing invasive plants, and picking up litter that has accumulated over the summer. Volunteers are welcome to stay for the whole morning or come out for an hour to help. Those interested in helping should email Michelle Smith at michelle@sopolandtrust.org. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and refreshments.
SPLT celebrates National Public Lands Day each year. This annual event is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. For the land trust, it is an important event that raises awareness of the many trails available in South Portland and offers individuals, families, and friends an opportunity to help steward important open spaces in the City. For more information, please visit the Events page at southportlandlandtrust.org.
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About South Portland Land Trust
South Portland Land Trust is a nonprofit organization committed to linking neighborhoods and improving quality of life in South Portland through expanding the city’s trail network, conserving open space, and educating the public on issues related to trails and open space. It holds eighteen properties and easements within the City of South Portland to preserve natural habitats, trail access, and open space for public enjoyment.
Please visit www.southportlandlandtrust.org for more information
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter IDs: @sopolandtrust
South Portland Land Trust Launches Community Business Partner Program
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
September 8, 2021
Contact: Michelle Smith
207-838-0511
South Portland Land Trust Launches Community Business Partner Program
New program enables businesses to actively support the organization’s conservation efforts
South Portland, Maine - South Portland Land Trust (SPLT) announced the launch of its Community Business Partner Program this week. The new initiative aims to increase business support of the land trust’s conservation efforts, including building and maintaining trails, conserving open spaces, and engaging people in projects to mitigate the impacts of climate change in our community.
Benefits for local businesses include recognition on the land trust’s website, in the monthly newsletter, and on social media; free coordination of employee work days; and a number of other benefits. Inaugural businesses who have already joined the program include Evergreen Credit Union, Lighthouse Bikes, The Maine Mall, and Rusty Lantern Markets. Local businesses, regional, and national chain businesses are encouraged to participate.Businesses can sign up at a level of support that works for their budget.
“South Portland is fortunate to have businesses that are very dedicated to our community,” noted Richard Rottkov, SPLT Board President. “The Community Business Partner program offers them a simple and meaningful way to support our critical conservation work right here in the community that they serve.”
Leah Day, owner of Lighthouse Bikes in Knightville, noted that supporting her local land trust is a given: “I can’t think of anything more important than preserving the land around us. A large part of our mission at Lighthouse Bikes is to share the beauty of South Portland’s coast with tourists and locals alike and to inspire them to value and protect it. South Portland Land Trust is doing vitally important work.” Craig Gorris, Senior General Manager of The Maine Mall, concurs. “The Maine Mall is proud to be an inaugural member of the South Portland Land Trust’s Community Business Partner program. The key goals of the Land Trust align with our own sustainability priorities and we’re eager to work with them to help better our community this year and beyond.”
The new program also helps SPLT build its internal capacity. With just one part-time staff member, the organization has its eye on future growth. “For 35 years, we have worked to conserve open space and build and maintain trails in an effort to connect our neighborhoods,” noted Rottkov. “The Community Business Partner program is one way we are asking the community to join us so we can continue this vital work.” As the program continues to grow, SPLT plans to offer additional benefits for participating businesses, including an annual spring gala in the park.
If you are a local business and would like to join the Community Business Partner Program, visit southportlandlandtrust.org or contact Michelle Smith, Program Coordinator at michelle@sopolandtrust.org.
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About South Portland Land Trust
South Portland Land Trust is a nonprofit organization committed to linking neighborhoods and improving quality of life in South Portland through expanding the city’s trail network, conserving open space, and educating the public on issues related to trails and open space. It holds eighteen properties and easements within the City of South Portland to preserve natural habitats, trail access, and open space for public enjoyment.
Please visit www.southportlandlandtrust.org for more information
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter IDs: @sopolandtrust
