FREEPORT CONSERVATION TRUST
PO BOX 433, FREEPORT, ME 04032 www.freeportconservationtrust.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: FCT's mission is to protect, preserve and connect open space lands and provide public access to natural areas in Freeport, including forests, farmland, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat and shoreland.

Land protectionOver the last year FCT has been in conversation with many landowners about conservation options for their land. Per our conservation plan, these properties are in every part of town and their protection would further many of our goals, includeing: creating new opportunities for trail access in underserved neighborhoods; protecting wildlife habitat important from a statewide perspective; conserving land that will buffer the impacts of sea level rise; expanding a much-used FCT trail network; and protecting a much-used, but privately-owned trail network. The Cousins River Initiative is a collaboration of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Royal River Conservation Trust and FCT to expand conservation of this relatively undeveloped coastal river and marsh. It is a valuable buffer against sea level rise, important wildlife habitat, and offers an opportunity for low impact public recreation. Over the last 30 years FCT has been amassing Cousins River frontage, and we acquired an additional 30-acre parcel in 2019.

Stewardship and Trail ProjectsOver 60 people worked with FCT in 2019 to build and maintain trails. Highlights include: building new steps, replacing washed out bridges and cutting fallen trees; Bowdoin College students volunteering on their Common Good Day; helping the town Conservation Commission with Florida Lake Trail work; an Earth Day trail workday with L.L. Bean; clearing the new Bear Caves Trail at Field Estuary including building a bridge; four students doing blazing and trail work for their Freeport High School Senior Projects; and buckthorn removal at Tidebrook. FCT trails are benefitting from two Eagle Scout projects: a bridge connecting a trail between Freeport and Brunswick and construction of trailhead kiosks. Pursuing the removal of three dams along Frost Gully Brook is an exciting new project. Two of the dams are owned by FCT. Plans are being put in place and funding pursued to breach the dams. FCT has several partners in this project, including Trout Unlimited. When Frost Gully Brook, which is practically in downtown Freeport, runs free, habitat for native eastern brook trout and other fish will be restored to its natural cold flow. Anglers will have a new, local, fishing destination.

Community Outreach Freeport Conservation Trust offers public walks year round on trails in town as well as additional special outings including a Family Fun Day. FCT put on the 5th annual Freeport Trail Challenge in September and October: 107 adults and 97 youth completed the Trail Challenge by taking a hike at 4 trails around town. Over 1000 Trail Challenge passports were distributed within the community.We also engage with people by participating in public events put on by other organizations including: Various activities with Maine Beer, Feathers Over Freeport at Wolfes Neck Woods State Park, L.L. Beans Birding Festival, and Freeport High Schools Career Day. Other FCT outreach activities include our annual Cabin Fever event: In 2019 it was a showing of the film Tomorrow, about steps to a sustainable future. FCTs Annual Meeting involved a panel of local experts talking about Climate Change in Our Community: Impacts and Response. A page that includes climate change resources was added to the FCTs website. FCTs annual newsletter was distributed town-wide. FCT engages its members and the public via email, Facebook and Instagram. FCT board and staff engage with the Town of Freeport municipal government in various ways.

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