Land trust opens with canoe trip

By Mike Saunders
Special to the Pioneer Times
    The Woody Wheaton Land Trust recently opened its conservation centre in Forest City with a canoe trip for the media on Spednic Lake to view the large tracts of land and islands the land trust has been instrumental in preserving in the area. Highlights of the trip included stops at Mud Lake Falls, the pristine forest with 250-year-old trees along the banks of Mud Lake Stream and a stop on Woody Wheaton Island for a hot lunch prepared by the guides over an open fire. The flavor of coffee boiled over an open wood fire  was most appreciated by everyone.
Contributed photo
MAPPING IT OUT — From left, David Moore of Houlton, Judith Saunders, a land trust director, Jeannie Cunliffe of Houlton, Art Wheaton a guide and director of the land trust and Ute Harvey, a guest discuss the area preserved by the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust.
    Since 1994, the Woody Wheaton Land Trust has preserved over 4,100 acres of land, nearly 100 miles of lakeshore and four islands. The most recent acquisition is Greenland Island in East Grand Lake near the town of Danforth. The island has 3,000 feet of lakeshore frontage and has wonderful recreation and scenic values including primitive picnicking and camping sites.
    Threatened by corporate land divestment and increasing development pressure, these successes have secured precious wilderness tracts of land for this and future generations to enjoy. Much has also been achieved to reduce forest fragmentation and protect the traditional sporting economy. Following more than four years of effort, the Woody Wheaton land Trust celebrated the grand opening of its new conservation centre on Aug. 23, in Forest City.
    According to Paul First, former executive director, the centre gives permanence to the land trust’s commitment to preserving the natural heritage of the Chiputneticook chain of lakes and helping to connect conservation and community. The centre provides office and meeting facilities for the land trust, serves as a base for educational outreach and is available for use by other community groups in Maine and neighboring New Brunswick.
    With nearly 70 supporters from Maine and New Brunswick in attendance at the opening, the Woodie Wheaton land Trust Centre was dedicated in memory of local area fishing guide and lodge owner, Woodie Wheaton. His 93-year-old widow, Mrs. Ruth Wheaton, cut the grand-opening ribbon. Land Trust president Elbridge Cleaves observed that “we see conservation opportunities coming that are huge, one-time, and cannot be postponed out of convenience. The mission of this new building is directly linked to these future successes”. Brothers Dale and Arthur Wheaton expressed appreciation for their mother Ruth’s contribution of the land on which the centre is built.”
    This summer, the land trust hosted a five-part speaker series at the centre. The programs provided an opportunity for the local people to convene and learn about aspects of their shared heritage as well as conservation and community efforts elsewhere.