Land Trust Receives Funding for Wildlife Management at Hooper Pond Conservation Area

November 28, 2011

Land Trust Receives Funding for Wildlife Management at Hooper Pond Conservation Area

The Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) has been awarded Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service/USDA to conduct wildlife management activities on its 195-acre Hooper Pond Conservation Area in Greene.

Hooper Pond was conserved by the Androscoggin Land Trust in 2004 through funding including the Land for Maine's Future Program, when the Maine Natural Areas Program identified the area to be of statewide ecological significance through their land trust awareness program.  Hooper Pond is one of the few remaining ponds in the area with public access, but without homes and camps covering its shores.  Its wetlands and watershed are home to wildlife, breeding birds, and unusual plants; its waters have provided fishing, canoeing, ice-skating and a quiet getaway for generations.   The property is open to hunting and we work actively with the Greene Dragon Snowmobile Club to provide access to the pond through the conserved land.  

Beginning in November, ALT will manage approximately 18 acres over two years (2011 & 2012) as early successional wildlife habitat (see attached map).   In 2011 12 acres of existing woodland in 3 acre blocks will be cut to remove most of the overstory trees.  In 2012 an additional 6 acres would be cut in a similar manner. This early successional habitat is important to species such as American woodcock, ruffed grouse, certain songbirds, rabbits and other mammal species, which require this habitat type for their annual needs.

The Androscoggin Land Trust protects important natural areas, traditional landscapes, and outdoor experiences within the Androscoggin River watershed by promoting stewardship and supporting a network of public and privately held conservation land. We currently conserve over 4,750 acres of land, including over ten miles of riverfront along the Androscoggin River.

For more information contact:  Michael Auger, Director of Land Protection & Stewardship, Androscoggin Land Trust 207-782-2302.