Trust reaches goal to conserve 200 acres on Great Pond Mountain

The Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust has reached its goal of raising $750,000 for the “To the Summit” campaign to purchase 200 acres of property on Great Pond Mountain in Orland, according to a recent press release.

Great Pond Mountain

Great Pond Mountain

The “To the Summit” campaign went public in June, and by the end of 2013 the conservation trust had secured enough gifts and pledges to purchase the parcel.

A generous matching grant from The Ram Island Conservation Fund of Maine Community Foundation was instrumental in the campaign’s success. More than 250 donors, including individuals, families, foundations, businesses and organizations, made generous contributions.

Great Pond Mountain has long served as a premiere hiking destination in the Blue Hill area.

The newly conserved 200 acres on the mountain adds three key properties to Great Pond Mountain Wildlands: the mountain trailhead, the Hay Ledges and the mountain summit.

Also included in the campaign are funds for future acquisition of ecologically or recreationally significant properties in Bucksport, Orland, Dedham and Verona Island; management of the Wildlands and smaller holdings and conservation easements throughout northwest Hancock County; and increasing Great Pond Mountain Land Trust’s future capacity by adding to its endowment and bringing the organization’s office into the 21st century.

This campaign ensures that future generations will have access to Great Pond Mountain – free of cell towers or wind turbines – for outdoor recreation and educational activities, according to the press release.

Campaign contributers have helped to join the two parts of the Wildlands at the top of the mountain, and according to honorary campaign chair David Gross, “…the dream to conserve this place so special to all of us has been fulfilled.”

If you’re interested in hiking Great Pond Mountain, click here for information and a video.

Aislinn Sarnacki

About Aislinn Sarnacki

Aislinn is a Bangor Daily News reporter for the Outdoors pages, focusing on outdoor recreation and Maine wildlife. Visit her main blog at actoutwithaislinn.bangordailynews.com.