Land Trust Receives Funding for Hazard Tree and Soil Scarification Program at David Rancourt River P

October 9, 2012

The Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) has been awarded funding from the Natural

Resources Conservation Service/USDA to implement a hazard tree and soil

scarification program on its 14.3-acre David Rancourt River Preserve along the

Androscoggin River in Lewiston starting in early October 2012.

 

The David Rancourt River Preserve consists of undeveloped forestland along the

Androscoggin River, just below Deer Rips Dam and accessible from Tall Pines

Drive, including a steep scenic overlook and two beautiful sand beaches. It will

serve as a northern park for the long-awaited Lewiston Riverside Greenway Trail that

will stretch from Sunnyside Park to Tall Pines Drive.

 

One of the most iconic features on the property is the presence of tall Eastern White

Pine trees which line the river. Ecologically, the trees are a favorite perching tree of

bald eagles and aesthetically, are very scenic. Currently, the understory of the

Preserve contains a scarcity of white pine, therefore to ensure that white pine remains

a major component of the preserve in the future, ALT will use the NRCS funding to

remove approximately forty hazard trees from the property and then mechanically

disturb small portions of the soil to encourage white pine regeneration.

 

During the implementation of this program, ALT will need to temporarily close the

preserve to public use for approximately 3 days. Signage will be posted at the

trailhead off Tall Pine Drive prior to the beginning of the work.

 

The David Rancourt River Preserve was conserved by the Androscoggin Land Trust

through funding from the Land for Maine’s Future Water Access Program and is now

owned and stewarded by the Androscoggin Land Trust. In 2007, the property was

renamed after David Rancourt, an Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department Deputy, who

tragically lost his life nearby in the Androscoggin River in November of 2006 while

serving his community. David often came to this location along the Androscoggin

River to educate others about the river and water safety. Three granite benches and

an informational kiosk were placed on the Preserve to memorialize his life and

service.

 

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 4,850 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.