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Maine A.T. Land Trust
Saddleback/Abraham
Campaign -
Completed in December 2005
Thank you to all who made the
successful protection of the summit of Mt. Abraham and the
southeast slopes of Saddleback Mountain possible. - MATLT Board of
Directors
In 2004 MATLT embarked on a $450,000 fundraising campaign to raise the
money to purchase a 1183 acre parcel
on the southeast slopes of Saddleback Mountain, which MATLT now owns, and
to purchase and monitor the conservation easement on the 1159 acre Mt. Abraham summit and
ridgeline. The Mt. Abraham parcel has been turned over to the State
of Maine as an addition to the existing ecological reserve on the
mountain, created in early 2002 in a partnership with the ATC Land
Trust and the State of Maine.
“We knew these lands were ecological gems and that this was a once
in a lifetime opportunity to acquire them for public benefit.” said
Tom Lewis, president of MATLT. “Our mission is to protect the
Appalachian Trail Lands in Maine for public benefit. We are a
relatively new organization and are grateful that the Norcross
Foundation provided a loan that allowed us to conclude the necessary
negotiations in the short amount of time required that made this
purchase a reality. We have confidence that the public realizes how
important Maine’s special places are and will contribute financially
toward achieving our goal.”
These mountains are two of
the last remaining high-elevation Maine mountains not largely
protected through public or
conservation ownership. Mount
Abraham and the eastern portion of Saddleback Mountain possess
ecological resources of statewide and regional significance and
offer outstanding backcountry recreational opportunities.
The
Mount Abraham ridgeline encompasses an expansive alpine community in
Maine—second in size only to Katahdin—and harbor significant
ecological habitat and diverse species. The lower elevations of
these properties also include old-growth forest and unique habitat.
MATLT's
Mt. Abraham/Saddleback Acquisition Press Release
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