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Robinson Woods Public Access Plan Survey
 The Cape Elizabeth Land Trust requests your feedback on the existing plan for public access to the Robinson Woods Preserve.
The Public Access Plan
went into effect May 1st, 2015, and we're now doing a one-year evaluation. The goal of CELT's Public Access Plan is to promote safe and enjoyable access
to Robinson Woods Preserve while protecting the natural habitat and wildlife. CELT's evaluation factors include preservation of sensitive habitat areas, incidents of dog aggression or biting, dogs on leash when required, biking only when trails are open, no dogs in the water, and the absence of pet waste. Here is the Statement of Purpose from the Robinson Woods Conservation Easement that CELT is legally required to uphold:
This Conservation Easement is intended to protect the natural, scenic and undeveloped character of the Protected Property, and to promote the conservation of its forests, shoreland, and their associated wildlife habitat values. It is also intended to balance the community need for open land available for quiet, daytime, non-motorized public outdoor recreation, nature observation and study, with restrictions that will ensure that the experience of the public on the Protected Property will continue to be one, increasingly rare, of relatively unstructured quiet contemplation and reverence for the natural world.
Please
click here
to access the survey and please share this survey link widely as we seek to gather as many responses as possible. Thank you, in advance, for your feedback!
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Spring is Stewardship Season in Cape Elizabeth
That the sun is shining and spring fever is palpable can only mean one thing: it's stewardship season!
 Engaging in CELT's stewardship activities is fun, rewarding, and great exercise! We hope you'll join us at some of our upcoming stewardship days:
- Saturday, April 30th: Turkey Hill Farm Summer Prep, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Friday, May 9th: CELT Office Spring Clean-up, 2 - 5 p.m.
- Saturday, May 21st: Turkey Hill Farm Summer Prep, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- July (date to be determined): Invasive Species Removal on numerous CELT properties
Please call our office at 767-6054 or
send Katye an email to learn more about these events or to RSVP. Thank you!
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Sprague Land Walk Teaches Us About Cottontails and Trees
The recent Sprague Land Walk, led by Ram Island Farm property managers John Greene and Todd Robbins, was attended
and enjoyed by many. The group learned about the New England Cottontail  (NEC), which has been on the "endangered" species list for the State of Maine since 2007.
The Sprague Corporation has been working with both the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to foster and promote NEC habitat on Ram
to do just that! Pictured here are volunteers helping to construct cottontail habitat with guidance from John Greene. Learn more about
Ram Island's efforts here.
Later, the group explored Ram Island Farm and John and Todd provided tips on how to identify trees in the early spring, before they've sprouted their telltale leaves. It was a fascinating seasonal 'look' at this beautiful and expansive private property.
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Innovative Way to Give: Corporate Matching Gift Programs
Many employers - from large corporations to small businesses - offer matching gift programs for their employees.
A matching gift, also known as a matching fund or matching donation, is a charitable gift made toward a nonprofit by a matching donor (in this case, the employer), under the provision that an original donor (an employee) first makes a gift toward that organization.
A benefit to both an employee and the community, matching gifts are a great way for companies to
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Painting by John Santoro
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direct giving to reflect their employees' priorities and to increase an individual's capacity to donate. Due to the doubling of a gift, matching gifts are prized by nonprofits, including CELT.
CELT is well-accustomed to providing the information requested by corporations to fulfill matching gifts and we relish the opportunity to do so. If you haven't already done so, please check with your employer to see if a matching gift program is available. Interested in starting a program at your company? Come chat with us! We're happy to be a resource. Or, explore the resource library at
doublethedonation.com.
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Naturalist's Corner:
Keep Your Eyes on the Sky During the Month of May
[While our staff naturalist Linden Rayton is on maternity leave, we'll share Erika Carlson Rhile's "Natural Happenings" columns here. Erika is CELT's Education Committee chair and writes "Natural Happenings" for The Cape Courier.
]
May 9: Rare Transit of Mercury Across the Sun. The planet Mercury will move directly between the Earth and the Sun. Viewers with telescopes and approved solar filters will be able to observe the dark disk of the planet Mercury moving across the face of the Sun. This is an extremely rare event. There will be one other transit of mercury in 2019 and then none until 2039. This transit will be visible throughout North America, though the best place to view this event in its entirety will be in the eastern United
 States.
May 14: International Astronomy Day. The theme is "bringing astronomy to the people," and on this day astronomy and stargazing clubs around the world plan special events. I highly recommend the "Sidewalk Astronomy Skywatch" from 6 to 10 p.m. in Portsmouth. Local volunteers set up telescopes downtown and invite you to take a look.
May 21: Full Moon, 'Blue Moon'. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 'Full Flower Moon' because this was the time of year when spring flowers appeared in abundance. Since this is the third of four full moons this season, it's also known as a 'blue moon.' This rare calendar event only happens once every few years, giving rise to the term "once in a blue moon." There are normally only three full moons in each season of the year.
Other Interesting Seasonal Facts:
- 'May Day' is the midway point between the first day of spring and the first day of summer.
- Robins feed earthworms to their babies; they otherwise prefer fruit.
- For the 180-millionth time, black flies arrive. Their fossils have been found dating back to the Jurassic period, where they probably tormented T-Rex!
- Orange slices may attract Baltimore orioles to your feeders.
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Upcoming Events for You and for Your Children
The Gulf of Maine in Changing Times
April 28th, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Global climate change and El Niño are causing unusual weather patterns around the world, but how does that affect the Gulf of Maine? Jeff Runge, a Research Scientist at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and a faculty member in the University of Maine's School of Marine Sciences, will explain the changes occurring in the Gulf of Maine and what they mean for our local economy and environment. Anyone with an interest in the watery world beyond our rocky shores will not want to miss this program! Held at the Thomas Memorial Library; you can
get more details on the website.
Learn more about natural habitats and their unique flora and fauna from Cape naturalist Tony Owens; fee $6. Learn more and register at
www.capecommunityservices.org (program #64-150).
Little Explorers (ages 3-5 with an adult)
Children and caregivers will explore the natural wonders of the Maine woods with CELT Board Member Lisa Gent. We'll take a gentle hike through Robinson Woods where we'll search for birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and plant life. Lots of hands-on exploration and games included!
Fee $10 per family; learn more and register at
www.capecommunityservices.org (program #64-322).
World Fish Migration Day
May 21st,
8 - 10 a.m.
We'll celebrate World Fish Migration Day with a demonstration of our ongoing alewife monitoring project in Alewife Brook and with an informational reception at the CELT office. Please view the
event listing on our website to learn more.
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Children's Wetsuit Collection at CELT - Can You Help?
CELT is currently accepting donations of gently used children's wetsuits in support of the Valpo Surf Project in Chile. The organization works with children in impoverished coastal communities through academic tutoring, environmental stewardship, and - surfing!
Cape Elizabeth alums Emily Leighton and Paul Wennberg are both in Chile, sharing their love for the ocean and mentoring the children. To learn more about the project, check out the article on Page 16 of
the April 22nd edition of
The Cape Courier. For more information, you can also email Paul at
[email protected].
Wetsuits can be dropped off at the CELT office through July. Thank you!
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From Our Executive Director...
Maine Land Trusts Support Water Resources and Community Health
There are 83 land trusts in the state of Maine, and together they hold over two million preserved acres. Approximately half of these properties are owned and the other half are held in easement. Hundreds of people who help to carry out these land trust efforts gathered April 23rd for an inspiring annual
Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN) conference in Topsham. Five representatives from CELT were part of this large group of participants.
The keynote was presented by Kristen Miale of
Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, an organization that partners with Maine farmers to provide good nutritious food for those in need. In Maine and across the country, land trusts are beginning to assist with local food production. The selection of this keynote by the MLTN shows its commitment to work that supports community health.
Respondents to the 2015 Maine Land Trust Census reported that the most important reason for conservation in the state is to protect water resources, water quality and water access. As one presenter at the conference stated, we are not just land trusts, we are also "water trusts."
This conference further demonstrated that while there is a growing awareness within the land trust community that protection of land and water resources is the bedrock of what we do, the promotion of healthy and vital communities is also of great importance.
Cynthia Krum
Executive Director
Cape Elizabeth Land Trust
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