Scarborough Land Trust announced that it has purchased and conserved the Libby Property and added it to the Warren Woods Preserve. This 16.5-acre property along Gorham Road, contains forested wetlands, Nonesuch River frontage, upland woods, and wildlife habitat. SLT has added it to the 161-acre Elaine Stimson Warren Preserve, which it purchased in 2012.
SLT extends its appreciation to landowner Doug and Connie Libby for giving the time needed to complete a fundraising campaign for the land. In addition, Doug and Connie sold the parcel to SLT below market value, donating a portion of the value of the land. Doug Libby and his family have owned the property for generations. Doug’s grandparents in the 1930s and 40s used the land primarily to pasture their dairy cattle. Doug remarked on the importance of this property to his family,
“Connie and I have spent our entire adult lives trying to preserve the environment and wildlife to the best of our ability. We are very pleased to partner with the Scarborough Land Trust to preserve this unique 16.5-acre parcel that contains over a quarter-mile of Nonesuch River frontage and abuts the Warren Woods property.
This acquisition by the Land Trust will not only preserve our land for future generations, it will
also serve the community as a continuing educational resource, connecting people to the natural environment. We are pleased to see that our family land will always remain undeveloped and in its natural state for the benefit of wildlife, the Nonesuch River, and for those who enjoy being outdoors.”
A partnership effort came together to make the conservation purchase possible. The Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program (MNRCP), the Town of Scarborough’s Land Bond, and SLT private fundraising contributed approximately $580,000 to cover the acquisition, project, and stewardship costs. MNRCP, a wetlands mitigation program, was a key supporter. Bryan Emerson, MNRCP Program
Manager for the Nature Conservancy, remarked, “MNRCP was pleased to support the conservation of the Libby Property. Its significant wetlands, Nonesuch River frontage, proximity to other conservation land, and high threat of development if not conserved, enabled it to score well in the evaluation process.” The Town of Scarborough’s Land Bond Fund, which also contributed to the past acquisition of Warren Woods, was a major partner. Scarborough is the only town in Maine to have passed four separate land bonds. Tom Hall, Scarborough Town Manager commented, “The Town’s Land Bond has helped conserve important properties throughout town and we hope to continue doing this so other important natural lands are protected for the benefit of the community.”
Protection of the Libby property conserved over 1,400 feet of frontage on the Nonesuch River, Scarborough’s largest river, which flows into the Scarborough Marsh, Maine’s largest contiguous salt marsh. It provides wildlife and plant habitat for a number of different species. SLT will be working on a management plan for the property and will announce next steps on its website and in its newsletters. Andrew Mackie, SLT’s Executive Director, said “The Libby property was a strategic addition to Warren Woods and checks key boxes for SLT, including public access, watershed protection and wildlife habitat. We thank landowner Doug and Connie Libby for making this project possible with their commitment to conservation. In addition, we thank the MNRCP Program and the Town of Scarborough for stepping up to provide the needed funding. We also want to recognize how much the community supported this land protection effort, including Cabela’s and 50 individuals and foundations who believed in this project.”
The Warren Woods Preserve is centrally located and is near Scarborough’s school system. The hope is that someday school children will be able to access Warren Woods from the school complex by foot and experience the outdoors and related environmental education programs firsthand. In addition to the Libby parcel, SLT purchased two properties totaling approximately 55 acres in December 2021 across the street from Warren Woods on Payne Road. The Warren Woods Preserve, with these three additions now totals 227.5 acres making it the second largest preserve owned by SLT. Rick Shinay, SLT Board President, commented, “We’re pleased to be doing this conservation work in the center of Town and hope that we can add other lands to Warren Woods in the future for the benefit of everyone in Scarborough.”
Founded in 1977, the Scarborough Land Trust is a community based, nonprofit organization focused on conserving natural and agricultural land. SLT oversees the protection and stewardship of 27 properties, totaling more than 1,500 acres. SLT manages eight properties that are open to the public and have trail systems. Additional properties are maintained for wildlife habitat and watershed protection. SLT also conducts a variety of public programing for all ages. Funding for SLT comes mostly from individual donors and corporate sponsors. In addition, local, state, and federal grants are sought for specific projects.
