SLT purchased and conserved another 63 acres along the Nonesuch River in Scarborough! The property includes forests, grasslands, wetlands, vernal pools, and over 3,170 ft. of frontage along the River.
The Nonesuch River winds through a remarkable landscape — one that connects forest, wetland, and marsh in a living network that sustains some of Maine’s most treasured wildlife. The river feeds Scarborough Marsh, Maine’s largest saltwater marsh and a Statewide Focus Area of Ecological Significance, making the protection of land along its banks a conservation priority of the highest order.
Recognized as part of both an Aquatic Core Network— designations reserved for large, diverse river systems in exceptional condition with ample unaltered water— the primary conservation goal for such systems is simple: protect what’s already there. These waterways represent rare freshwater resilience and irreplaceable biodiversity value.
That biodiversity is on full display here. The Nonesuch supports wild Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and American Eel, among other species. The Wood Turtle (a Maine Species of Concern), the Spotted Turtle (Maine threatened), and the Wood Thrush (a Maine Species of Concern) all depend on habitats this property provides.
“Conserving this property is about more than protecting a single parcel. It’s about honoring our responsibility to the land, the water, and the wildlife that depend on them,” said SLT Executive Director Andrew Mackie. “When we protect places like this, we invest in the ecological and community health of Scarborough for decades to come.”
In a region facing growing pressures from both development and climate change, protecting land along the Nonesuch isn’t just good environmental stewardship — it’s essential.
Landowners Mark and Donna McIntyre were committed to conserving the property. “We have always felt this piece of land was special and wanted to make it available to the people and animals in the future. As Scarborough continues to grow, something has to be left in its natural state and the land trust will allow for this.”
SLT will provide recreational opportunities for the residents of Scarborough to enjoy the newly acquired lands.
The purchase was made possible through the Town of Scarborough Land Bond, Land for Maine’s Future, the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, the William Wharton Trust, Fields Pond Foundation, Margaret Burnham Charitable Trust, and generous contributions from individuals and businesses.
