Kezar River South Project
Seven Miles of Riverfront and Nearly 3,000 Acres Conserved in Western Maine
January 29, 2025, Lovell, ME – The Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) has expanded its Kezar River focus area with the conservation of an additional 1,411 acres, bringing the total conserved area to over 2,700 contiguous acres in Lovell and Sweden, Maine. This latest acquisition, made possible by the purchase of land from a local family deeply connected to the region’s forests, builds on the 1,315 acres GLLT conserved along the Kezar River in 2022 and 2023. Together, these protected lands conserve seven miles of the Kezar River, a mostly forested corridor that also features steep riverside bluffs, hilltop vistas, beaver ponds, and nearly 100 acres of wetlands, creating vital, unbroken wildlife habitat.
This conservation achievement marks the largest land purchase in GLLT’s history. A $1,035,000 grant from the Land for Maine’s Future Program in the early stages of fundraising was instrumental in realizing this project. Established in 1987, the program is Maine’s primary funding mechanism for conserving lands with ecological and recreational value.
Additional key support came from a $200,000 contribution by the Open Space Institute’s Appalachian Landscapes Protection Fund (ALPF), which helped transform this vision into reality. “OSI is thrilled to support this project, which beautifully integrates biodiversity protection with sustainable forest management and thoughtful community access for recreation,” said Sarah Wells, OSI’s Conservation Strategies New England Project Manager. The ALPF is made possible with a lead grant from the Doris Duke Foundation and with significant support from the Lyndhurst Foundation, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Riverview Foundation, Tucker Foundation, Lookout Foundation, Footprint Foundation, Anonymous Foundation (2), as well as other foundations and individuals who understand the critical role that land protection plays in addressing the threats of climate change.
Further funding came from The Nature Conservancy in Maine, the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, the Maine Community Foundation, private foundations, and, most notably, generous contributions from community members. “Raising these funds took time, and we are deeply grateful to the landowners who patiently supported us as we secured the necessary resources to purchase their remarkable property,” noted Erika Rowland, GLLT’s executive director.
The newly conserved properties provide crucial wildlife connectivity and link key conservation focus areas, including the Upper Saco River/Kezar Pond region and Caribou and Speckled Mountains within the White Mountain National Forest. The Kezar River’s waters, which eventually flow into the Saco River and out to the ocean, remind us of how interconnected Maine’s ecosystems are and the importance of protecting these landscapes.
The conserved properties also provide connectivity of recreational importance. By acquiring these lands, GLLT has protected essential segments of local snowmobile and ATV trail networks. These trails, maintained in partnership with local clubs, will continue to provide year-round recreation. “We’re excited to collaborate with GLLT and other stakeholders to shape a shared vision for the Kezar River lands,” said Linda Mercer, president of the Pulpit Rock Trail Blazahs ATV club. “Our goal is to ensure that these lands offer outdoor opportunities for people of all ages and abilities in Western Maine for generations to come.”
The new conservation property will be open to the public for a variety of outdoor activities. Starting in 2025, GLLT will begin developing trailhead parking areas, hiking trails, and other access infrastructure to enhance public enjoyment. For more information about this property and other conserved lands, visit gllt.org. You’re also invited to join us for a snowshoe sneak peek on Saturday, March 8, at 1 PM, to explore this exciting new addition.