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Press Releases
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April 15, 2009 Augusta, Maine – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife today completed its purchase of a 46-acre parcel to be added to the Scarborough Wildlife Management Area.
The property was purchased from the Gervais family of Scarborough. It is located on Manson Libby Road adjacent to Dunstan River and the 3,200-acre Scarborough Marsh Wildlife Management Area.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and several conservation partners thank Dennis Gervais (third from right) for his family's decision to place a 46-acre parcel of land into conservation as part of the Scarborough Marsh Wildlife Management Area. From left are: Scarborough Town Manager Tom Hall, Rich Shinay of Scarborough Land Conservation Trust, IF&W Regional Wildlife Biologist Scott Lindsay, C.D. Armstrong of Friends of Scarborough Marsh, and Richard Dressler, IF&W's representative on the Julie N Natural Resources Trustees. The acquisition, originally spearheaded over several years by the Friends of Scarborough Marsh, will conserve habitat for species impacted by the Julie N oil spill, which occurred in the Fore River in 1996. “Scarborough Marsh is a critical wildlife habitat that is enjoyed by thousands because of its uncompromised beauty,” said Roland “Danny” Martin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “The Julie N oil spill was an unnecessary tragedy that impacted wildlife and their habitat. From that event, however, comes an opportunity to conserve land for the fish and wildlife that live at Scarborough Marsh and the people who visit there. I thank the Gervais family for their commitment to this preservation effort, and the partners who worked together to add acreage to this natural resource.” Acquisition of this parcel is consistent with the management goals of conserving critical upland habitat surrounding Maine’s largest salt marsh, and providing for enhanced public recreational access for hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife observation and bird watching. This parcel also meets the criteria of a high conservation priority under the State Wildlife Action Plan, and is part of one of the original Focus Areas of Statewide Ecological Significance identified in this plan. “It’s been a long journey bringing this project to fruition,” said C.D. Armstrong, a Friend of Scarborough Marsh trustee. “I take my hat off to the Gervais family for having the patience and vision to work with us to conserve their land. The major funding partners are to be saluted for their commitments, as well as the many volunteers and donors who made this project happen. Ultimately, the big winners are our kids and future generations who will have this land to enjoy in perpetuity.” A number of project partners made this effort possible, including the Gervais family of Scarborough, Friends of Scarborough Marsh, the Natural Resource Trustees for the Julie N Oil Spill, the Town of Scarborough, the Land for Maine’s Future Program, the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust, the Davis Conservation Foundation, and Ducks Unlimited. Their participation included: The Land for Maine’s Future program, which is funded by voter-approved bonds. Julie N Oil Spill settlement funds, administered by the Julie N Natural Resource Trustees, which include representatives from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Department of Marine Resources, Maine Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Scarborough Land Conservation Trust and the Friends of Scarborough Marsh, which provided technical and fundraising assistance. SLCT President Jack Anderson said, “We’re pleased to have played a role in the protection of this property and to help ensure that it will be available for public use long into the future.” The Davis Conservation Foundation and Ducks Unlimited, project partners who contributed needed funding assistance. “Being able to draw on funding from the Land for Maine’s Future Program is a critical part of our ability to add important parcels like this one to Wildlife Management Areas statewide,” said Commissioner Martin, who is a member of the Land for Maine’s Future board. “Continued taxpayer support to new land bonds continues to finance this important program.” The Gervais family has maintained the property as a working farm since the 1950s and has continuously volunteered assistance to regional staff from IF&W on Scarborough Marsh maintenance projects. The property will be managed as open space and wildlife habitat by IF&W. Upland fields, Spartina salt marsh, freshwater wetlands and both mature and early successional forests provide a diversity of habitat types for many wildlife species. These include the endangered New England Cottontail, whitetail deer, red fox, many species of waterfowl, shorebirds, birds of prey and grassland birds such as Savannah sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks. The Maine Audubon Society, in cooperation with IF&W, operates a Nature Center across the marsh that draws more than 10,000 visitors annually to learn about the marsh and recreate in it. It is expected that this property will provide additional opportunities for their educational programs. IF&W Regional Wildlife Biologist Scott Lindsay said he believes the efforts by many parties – from individuals and non-profit organizations to local, state and federal agencies and foundations – showed a commitment to wildlife conservation. “It was a true team effort and we at IF&W are very pleased to be able to add this property to the Scarborough Marsh,” Lindsay said. A public event celebrating the protection of this property is being planned for late summer or early fall. This event will provide an opportunity to meet individuals involved in this acquisition and learn about the property and Scarborough Marsh. IF&W requests that the public refrain from using the newly purchased property until further notice. The Gervais family will remain on site for a short period of time before they transition to their new home. For additional information, please contact: Scott Lindsay C.D. Armstrong |
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