History (cont'd)

In 1996 the real estate market got hot and in the four months from January to April, 200 subdivision lots were approved. In 1996 the Trust acquired the Mill Creek parcel abutting the Falmouth Nature Preserve when it was transferred from the Nature Conservancy to the Trust.

In 1997 Falmouth voters approved a land acquisition bond of $1 million dollars. In addition the Trust acquired land in connection with the Sunny Field Development off Falmouth Road.

In 1998 the Trust acquired property from the Smith Family on Falmouth Road and an easement from the developers of Presumpscot River Place for land along the Presumpscot River.

In 1999 the Trust acquired additional property along the Presumpscot River through a conservation easement donated by the Mahoney family. Additional property was acquired from the developers of the Twin Pond Subdivision, and through the purchase of the Otte parcel on Falmouth Foreside.

In 2000 the Trust acquired land from the McCrann family adjacent to the original parcel donated in 1981.

In 2001 the Trust began its campaign to purchase more than 250 acres of land off Blackstrap Road for $1 million. The speakers at its annual meeting for 2001 included Sally Stockwell from Maine Audubon.

In 2002 the Trust achieved its goal of raising $1 million with significant contributions from the Land for Maine’s Future Fund ($200,000) and the Town of Falmouth (approximately $400,000). Additional land adjacent to the Blackstrap Hill Preserve was donated by the Donald family as a conservation easement, and by the Shafto family.

In 2003 the Trust acquired additional land adjacent to the Blackstrap Hill Preserve from the Carr family, and an easement from the heirs of Marjorie McAdam for land that included frontage along the Presumpscot River. The Trust also assisted with the first effort by a neighborhood, the Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Association, to purchase what open space remained in the neighborhood in order to conserve it.

In 2004 the Blackstrap Hill Preserve was opened with a ceremony featuring Tim Glidden, Executive Director of the Land for Maine’s Future and Representative Gerry Davis and Town Counselor Richard Olson.

From its creation in 1980 until the end of 2008, The Falmouth Land Trust has acquired a total of 892 acres of land in fee or easement for the purpose of conservation, preservation, and protection of open space in Falmouth.

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