Scarborough Land Trust (SLT) announces the purchase of 130 acres of ecologically significant land located along Hanson and Tapley Roads, adjacent to SLT’s Broadturn Farm and Preserve. This new acquisition, adds to SLT’s Silver Brook Preserve, bringing the total preserve to 167 acres. This acquisition also expands a contiguous block of conserved land to 943 acres across this area of Scarborough, Saco, and Buxton—approximately 600 of which are now under SLT’s stewardship.
The newly acquired property features a diverse mosaic of undeveloped forests, grasslands, wetlands, and 3,200 feet of stream frontage along Silver Brook. This important natural corridor connects critical habitats and enhances climate resilience in the region.
“Protecting this land not only safeguards vital habitats and biodiversity but also supports our community’s long-term goals for open space, recreation, and climate resilience,” said SLT Executive Director Andrew Mackie. “It highlights the importance of land conservation to help ensure a sustainable future for the region.”
The wetlands on the property provide crucial ecological functions, including flood and drought mitigation, and support a rich community of amphibians, reptiles, and birds. The upland forests are home to deer, turkey, bear, bobcat, and other wildlife, and offer a key migratory stopover for songbirds.
Silver Brook, which runs through the property, is recognized by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) as habitat for wild Brook Trout and several other native fish species. MDIFW notes, “Brook trout populations are heavily influenced by their environment … they are incredibly resilient in their undisturbed habitats.” This purchase will help ensure the protection of these pristine aquatic environments.
Additional highlights of the property include prime habitat for the endangered New England Cottontail, endangered Little Brown Bat, and the threatened Spotted Turtle.
In line with SLT’s mission to connect people to the land, the property will be opened to the public for low-impact recreational activities such as hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife observation, hunting, and fishing. SLT also plans to develop educational programs that highlight the ecological value of Silver Brook and the surrounding habitats, as well as the role conserved lands play in addressing climate change.
The property was purchased from Roland and Rhoda Libby and has been in their family for many years. They wanted to see it remain as open space forever.
“We are immensely grateful to the Libby family for their vision to protect this land,” added Scott Kunkler, SLT’s Conservation Director. “The property will serve as a living classroom and natural refuge for generations to come.”
The purchase was made possible through the support of many generous community donors, as well as grants from State, Town, and private organizations. Grant funding came from the Town of Scarborough Land Bond, Land for Maine’s Future, Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, Davis Conservation Foundation, Fields Pond Foundation, William Wharton Trust, Bass Pro/ Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Maine Community Foundation Donor Advised Fund, Margaret Burnham Charitable Trust, and the John Sage Foundation. SLT extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who helped make this acquisition a reality.
The purchase will help further the Town in meeting three important goals: advancing the Town’s open Space Plan, protecting an interconnected network of public open space, and conserving 30% of the land in the Town by the year 2030. Advancing these goals has become more important now than ever before, as development pressures in Scarborough continue to grow.
