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Paint for Preservation 'Wet Paint Auction' Sets New Records
CELT would like to express its gratitude to our very gracious host, Van Stewart, who allowed all of us to share in the magic of Garrison
Field for our annual Wet Paint Auction July 12th. We are also
deeply appreciative of our supportive sponsors, artists, volunteers and guests.
The high summer temperatures presented a challenge for the painters during the day, but it did not slow down evening bidding; Paint for Preservation 2015 garnered the highest art sales in eight years of this event!
While each of the 30 artists were crowd pleasers, our "People's Choice" award winner, for the second year in a row, was Colin Page (pictured here, painting at Kettle Cove). You can view all of the
artwork as well as event photos on our Facebook page.
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Janet Sutherland at Alewive's Brook Farm.
Photo by Martha Agan. |
Summer Membership Drive
Helps Support Local Farms
The CELT Membership Drive has one month left! We are looking for 100 additional membership gifts to reach our goal of 300 new, returning or renewing, by the end of the summer.
By donating today, you will receive a $10 gift certificate to be used at one of Cape ELizabeth's farm stands! Help us reach our goal - donate today!
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| Our 3oth Anniversary Celebration is August 29th 
Mark your calendars - the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust is celebrating 30 years of Saving Cape's Great Places this summer! On Saturday, August 29th, from 4 - 7:30 p.m. at Turkey Hill Farm, CELT will be hosting a community celebration; all are welcome, and admission is free. There will be great local foods, live bluegrass, children's activities, a pie contest, ice cream and more.
For further information, please visit our website. RSVP at, [email protected] or by calling 767-6054. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
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| CELT Property Profile: Elizabeth Farms
Located in far western Cape Elizabeth, bordering the upper reaches of the Spurwink River on the Scarborough border, CELT has protected 28.5 acres of fields collectively known as 'Elizabeth Farms.' (See map here.) A conservation easement on this parcel was donated to CELT in 1987 during the build out of the property. The parcel is managed mainly for it important wildlife habitat values, although public access is permitted and someday a trail system may be developed.
Properties like our Elizabeth Farms easement are part 
of a cohesive network of protected lands that, collectively, maintain water quality, important habitat, and scenic views. As with many of our properties, the protection of these acres will only become more important in the future.
Immediately adjacent to the parcel is another 19 acre property owned by the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, at the junction of the Scarborough, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth town lines. Large contiguous parcels in this area play a vital role in the present and future health of our natural environment.
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| A Smack* of Jellies Invade Maine Waters It's summer in Maine, and we have another wave of jellies invading our waters. Marine biologists are predicting higher numbers of these fascinating creatures worldwide: "The Jelly Oceans Hypothesis" predicts a shift to more gelatinous species vs. more fish. Maine is home to three types of jellies (scientists have given up the misnomer 'jellyfish'): Moon  jellies, Lion's Manes, and Comb jellies. Scientists think the warmer waters in the Gulf of Maine may be to blame, but whatever the reason, there are a lot of moon jellyfish again this year. Moon jellies are easily distinguished by their clear bodies with four horseshoe shaped reproductive structures seen inside. The gonads can be white or pinkish in color, depending on what the jelly eats. Their favorite prey is plankton, mostly caught on their mucous-coated body, and then licked off by their mouth-arms. Moon jellyfish belong to the phylum Cnidaria, meaning "stinging cells." Moon jellies do sting, but it's very mild-so much so, you may not even feel it. Also common in Maine are the red jellies known as, 'Lion's Mane.' Another Cnidarian, the Lion's Mane's sting feels like a bee's sting, but lasts longer. The Lion's Mane is actually the largest jellyfish in the world; they can grow to up to three feet across and larger - with tentacles extending hundreds of feet. Small herring and butterfish are the favorite foods of the red jelly, and sea turtles eat both of the above two jellies. Comb jellies belong to phylum Ctenophora. They don't sting at all, but are voracious predators of fish eggs and larvae (particularly those of cod and haddock). Henry Bryant Bigelow, one of the founders of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, wrote about the Gulf of Maine and said, "wherever these ctenophores swarm, they sweep the water so clean...that hardly any smaller creatures can coexist with them." - Erika Carlson Rhile, CELT Education Committee Chair *A large group of jellies is known as a 'smack.' |
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From our Executive Director...
Paint for Preservation Highlights Cape's Cherished Lands
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Margaret Gerding on the Spurwink River.
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While watching paint dry is often considered the epitome of mundane activities, those out and about on Sunday July 12th certainly learned firsthand that watching paint dry can indeed be quite inspiring.
Each year as the 30 artists chosen to participate in our Wet Paint Auction spread out across Cape Elizabeth, we are reminded of what a truly beautiful and timeless landscape serves as a backdrop to our daily lives. The paintings created by these wonderful artists remind us as well that many of the scenes depicted have barely changed in the past 200 years. The promise, and challenge, of our work is to preserve Cape Elizabeth's most iconic and important properties so that these places that define the natural character will always, and forever, be a part of our town's landscape. Our Photo Contest is another great way for you to help celebrate our local living landscape. We encourage you to submit your favorite images - who knows you may even win one of our top prizes. Thank you for helping CELT celebrate our work in so many ways.
All our best,
Chris Franklin
Executive Director
Willa Antczak
Membership & Development Manager
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