700-Acre East Windham, Maine Conservation Area Established
Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from the Presumpscut Regional Land Trust web site.
In September 2023, the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust announced the permanent protection of the 700-acre East Windham Conservation Area. The Town of Windham owns the land, and the Land Trust holds a conservation easement. This area is now part of a 2,000-acre conservation corridor, the largest wildlife habitat, clean water, and 30-mile recreational trail corridor in Greater Portland. The corridor includes Lowell Preserve, North Falmouth Community Forest, and Blackstrap Hill Preserve.
The East Windham Conservation Area will, when completed in 2024, include 10 miles of new multi-use trails that connect to 20 miles of existing trails, making it a destination for walking, hiking, mountain biking, trail running, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and bird and wildlife watching.
The Conservation Area protects 38 acres of wetlands, 1,500 feet of Little Duck Pond frontage, and miles of pristine headwater streams that lead to Forest Lake, Highland Lake, and the Presumpscot River. The newly conserved land provides programming opportunities for school and afterschool groups. It also offers an accessible one-mile trail for people of all ages to walk, push a stroller, or bike to Little Duck Pond and a scenic overlook with sweeping views of the White Mountains.
The East Windham Conservation Area will be celebrated with a Grand Opening Event on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023. The public is welcome to join for the opening event but must register in advance due to limited space. Register at www.prlt.org/events. This fall, the land will remain temporarily closed to the public while construction of the parking lot and trails is underway.
The project budget was $3.7 million. Land for Maine’s Future state program awarded the project $1 million; The Town of Windham provided, through popular vote, a $1.8 million conservation bond; a Land and Water Conservation Fund federal grant provided $500,000; and the Land Trust has raised $400,000 in private funds from hundreds of supporters. Read the list of project sponsors here.
Scenic viewpoint on the East Windham Conservation Area land, looking west towards the White Mountains. © Ted Anderson