ScoutWhat majestic creatures!
Mountain lion family photographed in the redwood forest.
#BayArea
#OpenSpace
#LandTrust
#WildlifePhotography
#GoodKitty
https://openspacetrust.org/blog/vishal-subramanyan-mountain-lion-photos
Alternative NewsWe need to buy as much land as possible #Landtrust #WorkerCooperatives #Communals #Agriculture #CommunityProduction
DoomsdaysCWOn the other side of the #SacoRiver is #PleasantPointPark ...
"If you like jumping off cliffs, this is the park for you. This 60-acre town park borders more than a mile of the Saco River.
"The river here must be very deep, because there are many places people have strung up rope swings from riverside cliffs. It looks dangerous but it must be okay since so many kids do it. On a hot summer day, this place is busy! (I have heard from a couple of people that unfortunately this place has become a haven for underage drinking. I didn’t run into many people mid-day during the week, and I have a high tolerance for scruffy trails!
"Both recommended the lovely Indian Cellar Preserve, on the other side of the river.)
"For me, the nicest part of the park was the southern side, where there are several benches and picnic tables by the river, as well as an old cemetery (and no rope swings).
"The interior paths are less used, so are overgrown. But they do allow you to make a loop from one end of the park to the other. Once you leave the quiet side and go to the cliff-y side, the ground becomes well trammeled.
"Although it’s easy to make your way through the #forests here, the paths here are blazed. There are many spots along the river that make good #swimming launch sites.
"Directions: From #Route202 in #BuxtonMaine, turn onto Route 117. Soon after turning, you’ll come across an old entrance to the park (it’s been around a long time), but you are not allowed to park alongside the street here. Continue up the 117 a little bit farther, and turn into Simpson Road. On your right will be a large parking lot."
https://mainebyfoot.com/pleasant-point-park-buxton/
#IndianCellarPreserve #LandTrust #HikingTrails
#SacoRiver #SalmonFalls
#MaineDOT #Maine #SouthernMaine #SalmonFallsBridge #MaineByFoot
On one side of the #SacoRiver in #HollisMaine is #IndianCellarPreserve ...
"This is a lovely 81-acre preserve by the Saco River, with great #WalkingTrails. All together, there are about 3 miles of trails here, as well as some #swimming spots. There is a promontory with a great vista of the Saco River and a little picnic table. This preserve seems to be less trammeled than its neighbor across the river — #PleasantPointPark — and also somewhat popular with #MountainBikers. The perimeter trail, which is about 1.6 miles or so, is very well blazed. The interior trails are less well marked and seemingly less used.
"There is also more information about the site at the #TrustForPublicLand.
"Directions: If you’re coming from #Route202 east, you will turn left after crossing the bridge over the Saco River from Buxton. Take a left onto Old Alfred Road, and the parking lot is immediately on your left. You’ll see a sign for the preserve, and some stone steps."
https://mainebyfoot.com/indian-cellar-preserve-hollis/
#IndianCellarPreserve #LandTrust #HikingTrails
#SacoRiver #SalmonFalls
#MaineDOT #Maine #SouthernMaine #SalmonFallsBridge
So, unfortunately, the town of #BuxtonMaine said "No," to the #PedestrianWalkway and the additional cost, and so did #HollisMaine (at #MDOT's urging). Having a separate pedestrian walkway on this bridge would make it safer for EVERYONE -- and a lot of pedestrians and bicyclists use the bridge, as it is the way to get from one track of preserved land to another, and also the areas where local teens swim! The traffic on #Route202 on either side of the bridge is always going too fast, and there's a lot of large trucks and SUVs. Widening the bridge is not enough! (And yes, speed limits should be strictly enforced in this area, which includes an ice cream stand and a local library)!
I should probably contact #MainersForSmarterTransportation and #BicycleCoalitionOfMaine and let them know what's going on...
Article from 2020, which shows the existing bridge and how much it's used by young people, as it is a popular spot in the summer!
Salmon Falls Bridge to be redesigned to deter jumping
The bridge between Buxton and Hollis has long been popular with youth who leap from it into the Saco River, but a planned upgrade should put a stop to that risky pastime and make it safer for all, the state says.
by Robert Lowell
June 1, 2020
Original story:
https://www.pressherald.com/2020/06/01/salmon-falls-bridge-to-be-redesigned-to-deter-jumping/
Archived version:
Hollis-Buxton, Route 202, Salmon Falls Bridge
On-Demand Formal Public Meeting for replacing the Salmon Falls Bridge on Route 2020 over the Saco River at the Hollis-Buxton town line
"The Scope of Work for this project consists of a full replacement of the Salmon Falls Bridge. The preliminary scope of work that was presented at the preliminary public meeting in 2019 consisted of a deck and superstructure replacement while leaving the substructure (piers and abutments) in place since that component is in fair condition as opposed to the deck and superstructure, which are both in poor condition. After further design review, it was determined that a full replacement is a better and more cost-effective option in the long term, with reduced maintenance costs and an overall longer lifespan. The new bridge will have 5' shoulders, which accomplishes the request as noted at the preliminary meeting of providing for better bicyclist and pedestrian accommodations."
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/483457df232143ba94cdbf9fe8173724
Hollis-Buxton, Route 202, Salmon Falls Bridge
On-Demand Formal Public Meeting for replacing the Salmon Falls Bridge on Route 2020 over the Saco River at the Hollis-Buxton town line
"The Scope of Work for this project consists of a full replacement of the Salmon Falls Bridge. The preliminary scope of work that was presented at the preliminary public meeting in 2019 consisted of a deck and superstructure replacement while leaving the substructure (piers and abutments) in place since that component is in fair condition as opposed to the deck and superstructure, which are both in poor condition. After further design review, it was determined that a full replacement is a better and more cost-effective option in the long term, with reduced maintenance costs and an overall longer lifespan. The new bridge will have 5' shoulders, which accomplishes the request as noted at the preliminary meeting of providing for better bicyclist and pedestrian accommodations."
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/483457df232143ba94cdbf9fe8173724
Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System
Guidelines/Priorities for Sidewalks and Walkways
Introduction
"A 1.5-m- (5-ft-) wide shoulder is acceptable for pedestrians along low-volume roads"
Route 202 is NOT a low-volume road, by any means!
http://www.pedbikesafe.org/PEDSAFE/resources_guidelines_sidwalkswalkways.cfm
#IndianCellarPreserve #LandTrust #HikingTrails #SacoRiver #SalmonFalls #MaineDOT #Maine #SouthernMaine #SalmonFallsBridge
On the ballot in #ScarboroughMaine!
Council Corner: A path to continued #LandConservation in Scarborough
Posted July 18
Karin Shupe, Scarborough Town Councillor
"On July 17 at 5:30 p.m. the Town Council held a workshop to discuss the potential referendum questions for this November’s ballot. One of these questions includes a request to replenish the land bond fund. The land bond fund is a town fund that was created in 2000 for the purpose of purchasing land for conservation. Unlike what a traditional bond referendum looks like, the land bond does not have an immediate impact on taxpayers, as it authorizes future bonding for land conservation.
"Scarborough voters have overwhelmingly supported every land bond referendum that has come forward since the creation of the land bond fund. The town has contributed $7.5 million towards the acquisition of land for conservation in this 24-year span. Scarborough’s commitment to land conservation has helped successfully obtain grants from the federal and state government and attract donors and matching funds from organizations like the #ScarboroughLandTrust, #LandForMainesFuture and the #MaineFarmlandTrust. These partnerships have led to conservation and preservation of land throughout the town, including #PleasantHillPreserve, #WarrenWoods, #FullerFarm, #BroadturnFarm and #SilverBrookPreserve.
"As of today, there is approximately $14,000 remaining in the town’s land bond fund. With a Town Council goal to conserve 30% of Scarborough land by 2030, more funds are needed. There are many public and economic benefits to land conservation that make this goal so important for Scarborough. The No. 1 concern expressed by our community in the recent survey was the rapid pace of growth and expansion. By conserving land, not only are we protecting our natural resources from development and preserving drinking water and water quality in our rivers, streams and marsh, we are also providing open space for our residents and visitors to enjoy.
"Historically, conserving land is cost neutral to a town budget, while residential development adds more to a town’s cost of services and infrastructure beyond the tax revenues it receives. As one of the fastest growing communities in the state, it is even more important for us to act now to protect our natural resources and maintain the open space that has attracted residents to Scarborough.
"The request before the Town Council is for a $6 million replenishment of the land bond, which accounts for the rising cost of land and the town’s 30×30 goal. This recommendation comes from the town’s Parks and Conservation Land Board, which is responsible for evaluating the applications the town receives for land bond funds. The board has developed a detailed acquisition evaluation process for properties, based on factors such as size, preservation of natural resources, location to habitat, public access and creating connectivity.
"Most recently the board recommended, and Town Council approved, the use of $800,000 towards the preservation of an additional 130 acres at Silver Brook Preserve in western Scarborough. This recent Silver Brook Preserve expansion now connects 813 acres of continuous conserved land between Scarborough, #SacoMaine and #BuxtonMaine. With no further funds available in the land bond, the town may miss opportunities like Silver Brook Preserve in the future. The town is also currently in the process of developing an Open Space Conservation Plan. This plan will guide and prioritize land conservation efforts. With no funds in the land bond, we will be unable to act on the land conservation recommendations from this plan.
"Scarborough is a leader in land conservation. No other town in Maine has spent as many local dollars on conserving their natural resources. I will try to continue our leadership in land conservation by encouraging my fellow councilors to support placing this $6 million land bond on the November ballot. To learn more about the land bond I invite residents to attend our upcoming Council Corner Live on Aug. 7 to learn more about the land bond – stay tuned for details."
#WaterIsLife #SaveTheMarshes #SaveTheFarms #Maine #SouthernMaine #LandTrust #LandConservation #BlueCarbon #SaveTheWetlands #SaltMarshes #ScarboroughMarsh #WebOfLife #Wetlands #SaveTheForests #PreserveNature
Council Corner: A path to continued land conservation in Scarborough
On July 17 at 5:30 p.m. the Town Council held a workshop to discuss the potential referendum questions for this November’s ballot. One of these questions includes a request to replenish the land bond fund. The land bond fund is a town fund that was created in 2000 for the purpose of purchasing land for […]
Moani#lahaina #mauiStrong #landTrust #hawaii https://mauinow.com/2024/08/15/lahaina-community-land-trust-secures-first-piece-of-land-to-steward-in-lahaina-hands/
‘From the soil up’: An islandwide network of volunteers nurtures trees for burned Lahaina, Kula | Maui Now
The network has grown to 6,200 trees across 25 grow hubs, with volunteers like the Williams family, who lost their home in the Lahaina fire and are now growing trees to give back to the community.
#Lahaina Community Land Trust
Land protection & land justice
"Keeping Lahaina Lands in Lahaina Hands. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to protect and perpetuate Lahaina, by empowering the Lahaina community to live, engage and prosper while protecting, restoring and caring for its ‘āina and ea."
https://lahainacommunitylandtrust.org/
#NativeHawaiians #LandTrust #LandBack #AffordableHousing #Hawaii #JohnOliver
raresitesCheck out the Late July rare eNews for our latest on the Long Dash Festival, our Trail Party BBQ prize raffle, the #MonarchBlitz, invasive species pulls, volunteer activities and more!
Pascale MTLLynn Jones hopes to preserve "The Marsh" in #Truro #NovaScotia an historic #BlackCommunity
Jones and allies have established the Down the Marsh #LandTrust to address housing affordability and community revival, showcasing grassroots empowerment and resilience in preserving cultural legacies. #Canada #AffordableHousing #BlackMastodon #BlackFedi
