Kezar River Reserve
The 120 acre Kezar River Reserve in Lovell was donated to the GLLT by the Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy to manage for sustainable forestry, wildlife habitat, unique natural features, and public access.
The property includes 3,808 feet of frontage on the eastern shore of the Mill Pond and 2,944 feet of its western shore. The 0.6 mile Bev’s Loop trail takes visitors through a diverse forest and into and out of a deep v-shaped ravine. The ravine—and four others on the property—is a geological feature known as “headwall erosion” that is uncommon in the eastern US, The reserve’s unique geology was influenced by the last ice age and the forest is growing on a large glacial lake bed of deep sands and silts. The 0.25 mile Storybook Trail features a children’s book with its pages displayed on storyboards along that trail, and is updated with the change of each season. The 0.20 mile Slide Trail offers an easy walk to a small “slide” waterfall, then loops back to the parking area.
The Property
The property was purchased in the early 1970’s by Bear Paw Timber Corp. as timberland for hardwood and softwood timber products. In 1999 the property was donated to The Nature Conservancy to serve as a working forest, actively demonstrating sustainable forestry practices. In 2003, The Maine Chapter of the Nature Conservancy donated the property to the GLLT to be managed for sustainable forestry, wildlife habitat, unique natural features and public access. The forest or portions of it have been thinned four times since 1980, with the most recent thinning by the GLLT in 2005.
Features
The 120 acre reserve is divided by the Mill Pond where waterfowl is abundant and beaver and otters frequent its shores. The diverse forest of mixed ages. Wildlife habitats support deer, moose, fox, black bear, owls, hawks, wood peckers, songbirds and a large variety of native plant species. The colorful “chicken of the woods” and other interesting mushrooms are common.
Activity Guidelines
The Reserve is open to public use for these activities:
Hunting and fishing in accordance with Maine Law
Hiking and picnicking
Cross-country skiing
Snowshoeing
Launch Canoe/Kayak (please carry in and out from designated area to avoid eroding the access)
These activities are not allowed:
Fires
Motorized vehicles
Cutting/removal of vegetation
Camping
Please use the land responsibly, leaving it just as you found it so that others may enjoy it as well. Carry out all waste, control pets by voice or leash and leave nature (soil, vegetation, and animals) undisturbed.
Contact Us
Greater Lovell Land Trust
P.O. Box 225
Lovell, ME 04051
We are a private, non-profit organization of local volunteers and fellow conservationists from across the U.S. and beyond, protecting our region’s lands and waters in the interest of the public. We welcome new members and contributions such as help with land purchases, property easements, gifts, or volunteers for current projects. Please join us.
Species observed to date
Please forward any new observations to Dennis Smith, GLLT Database Administrator.