Islesboro Islands Trust

ISLESBORO ISLAND TRUST IS A NONPROFIT LAND TRUST SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF ISLESBORO IN MAINE'S PENOBSCOT BAY. FOUNDED IN 1985 AS ISLESBORO'S "ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIENCE", THE MISSION IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF RESIDENTS' LIVES THROUGH THE PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE, EDUCATE ALL RESIDENTS AS TO THE VALUE OF THE ISLAND'S NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS, AND ACT AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF ISLESBORO AND THE SURROUNDING PENOBSCOT BAY REGION.

ISLESBORO ISLANDS TRUST (IIT) CONSIDERED AND EXPLORED CONSERVATION OPTIONS ON AN APPROXIMATELY 22-ACRE PROPERTY DONATED TO IIT IN 2021 AND THEN SOLD THE PROPERTY SUBJECT TO CONSERVATION RESTRICTIONS.IIT HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH TWO PROPERTY OWNERS ABOUT CONSERVATION ON THEIR LAND, INCLUDING DRAFTING BASELINE DOCUMENTS AND EASEMENTS.IIT CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES AT OTHER TRUST PRESERVES, PROVIDING APPROXIMATELY 14 MILES OF TRAILS FOUR FEET WIDE AND BRUSH-FREE TO REDUCE CONCERNS ABOUT TICKS CARRYING LYME DISEASE JUMPING ONTO WALKERS. IIT ALSO PROVIDES AND MAINTAINS ACCESS TO THE SHORE AT SOME OF THE PRESERVES.

IIT HOSTED ITS HARVEST FESTIVAL - A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL FOOD, FEATURING ISLESBORO-SPECIFIC GROWERS AND PRODUCERS, DEMONSTRATIONS, TALKS AND CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS AT IIT'S BLUEBERRY HILL PRESERVE. WE BEGAN A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AT IIT'S LEARNING GARDEN, PROVIDING PROGRAMMING FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS. IIT PROVIDED 20 NATURE TALKS & EVENTS BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR; OFFERED SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-12 AT IIT PRESERVES AND TWO OFF-ISLAND FIELD TRIPS FOR KIDS AGES 6-12; AND COORDINATED WITH THE ALICE L. PENDLETON LIBRARY FOR THE SEVENTH YEAR OF STORYWALK AT IIT'S MILL DAM PROPERTY.IIT CONTINUED TO PROVIDE ENGAGING AND SUBSTANTIVE PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES TO THE ISLESBORO COMMUNITY AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. WE MAINTAINED AN IN-PERSON RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ISLESBORO PRESCHOOL AND ISLESBORO CENTRAL SCHOOL THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER.IIT CONTINUED TO PROVIDE ENGAGING AND SUBSTANTIVE PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES TO THE ISLESBORO COMMUNITY AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. WE ALSO MAINTAINED AN IN-PERSON RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ISLESBORO PRESCHOOL AND ISLESBORO CENTRAL SCHOOL THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER.

IIT CONTINUED TO MONITOR NORDIC AQUAFARMS AND THE ASSOCIATED WATER QUALITY CONCERNS; WE CONTINUED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STATEWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES COALITION, WHICH WAS COORDINATED AND MANAGED BY THE MAINE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE. WE ADVOCATED FOR LOCATING A PROPOSED PENOBSCOT BAY OFFSHORE WIND PORT AT ALREADY-INDUSTRIALIZED MACK POINT AND OPPOSED LOCATING SUCH A FACILITY AT SEARS ISLAND IF ANY SUCH FACILITY IS BUILT IN THE REGION.