Conserved Properties

250th Park is a small but meaningful ¼-acre green space on Maine Street in downtown Brunswick, across from Fort Andross and near the Androscoggin River. Once the site of a Cumberland Farms, the land was protected by the Land Trust and now serves the community as a public park with paths, benches, and natural areas owned by the Town of Brunswick with a conservation easement held by the Land Trust. This pocket park offers a welcome spot for rest and reflection in the heart of Brunswick’s bustling downtown.

Bunganuc Woods is a 165-acre conserved property that is privately owned along Highland Road in Brunswick. A conservation easement held by the Land Trust protects a mix of farm fields, forests, and wetlands. It has over 4,900 feet of shoreline along Bunganuc Stream, which flows into Maquoit Bay, an ecologically significant area for wildlife and water quality. While not open to the public, the property helps preserve the scenic rural character and vital habitat of this important natural corridor.

Chase Reserve is a 194-acre conservation easement property on Bunganuc Road in Brunswick featuring extensive shoreline and intertidal habitat along the ecologically important Maquoit Bay. As part of Cumberland County’s largest unfragmented coastal forest, it supports diverse wildlife across managed woods, mature pine and hemlock stands, and vernal pools. A mile-long trail offers public access to this privately owned property, allowing visitors to explore the upland areas and connect to neighboring conserved lands, while the bay shoreline remains private. 

Coleman Farm is a 120-acre property on Pennellville Road in Brunswick that protects water quality, provides habitat for migratory shorebirds, and preserves tidal flats along ecologically significant Middle Bay. The farm’s active farmland and woodlands reflect the rural and agricultural heritage of the historic Pennellville area and are protected by a conservation easement. Its scenic landscapes are a cherished sight for those walking or biking along Pennellville Road.

The Coombs Property is a 24-acre conserved property owned by the Land Trust along River Road in Brunswick, featuring fields, wetlands, uplands, and 1,900 feet of frontage on the Androscoggin River. It plays a key role in protecting regional wildlife habitat and fisheries while linking important conservation and recreation areas along the river. Soon to be donated to the Town of Brunswick for low-impact public use, the Land Trust will keep a conservation easement to ensure its long-term protection.

Crystal Spring Farm is a 331-acre fee property owned by the Land Trust just outside downtown Brunswick that showcases the Land Trust’s commitment to conservation, local agriculture, and community engagement. Home to a vibrant Saturday Farmers Market, the Tom Settlemire Community Garden, extensive trails, and rare sandplain grassland habitat, it’s a beloved place where people connect with nature, food, and one another. The Farm also supports renewable energy through a community solar project and protects vital groundwater, wildlife habitat, and Brunswick’s rural heritage.

The Dunbar Property is a 10-acre conservation easement property in the Pennellville Historic District, featuring productive hayfields, wetlands, a small pond, and important wildlife habitat around a historic house. It contributes to the conservation of the natural, historic, and agricultural character of the Pennellville and Middle Bay region. While public access is not allowed, the property is a key part of the scenic views enjoyed by walkers and cyclists along Pennell Way.

Howard Point is a 35-acre forested peninsula situated between the New Meadows River and Thomas Bay, featuring 2,500 feet of rocky shoreline, salt marsh, and mudflats. This area provides important habitat for wading birds and helps protect the scenic shoreline views from popular Thomas Point Beach. While the property is not open to the public, it plays a vital role in conserving local wildlife and natural beauty and is protected by a conservation easement.

The 34-acre Larrabee Farm conservation easement property in Brunswick conserves a mix of former blueberry fields, forest, and a stream-carved ravine near Maquoit Bay. This privately owned property is not open to the public, however, it protects important natural resources within the town’s designated natural resource protection zone. The property also enhances the scenic rural character enjoyed by those traveling along Woodside Road.

Lower Coombs Island is a 23-acre forested island in the New Meadows River, valued for its undeveloped character, rocky shoreline, and scenic views from the mainland. The island is protected by a conservation easement and provides an important habitat for birds like herons, osprey, and eagles, with visitors encouraged to avoid nesting areas during the breeding season. Low-impact recreational access by boat is allowed along the shore, excluding areas near residences on this privately owned island, while intertidal zones support clam and marine worm harvesting.

Maquoit Bay Conservation Land is a 124-acre preserve on Brunswick’s coastline owned by the Town of Brunswick and permanently protected through a conservation easement held by the Land Trust. Conserved in 2007, it nearly doubled the town’s public access to the water and protects critical woodland, salt marsh, and clam flats along the ecologically significant Maquoit Bay. This remarkable conservation success was made possible by generous landowners, community partners, and key funding sources.

Mountfort Farm is a 79-acre conserved easement property along Highland Road in Brunswick that protects historic buildings, active farmland, forests, and valuable wetland habitat. With 2,900 feet of shoreline along Bunganuc Stream, an important tributary to Maquoit Bay, it plays a key role in supporting local water quality and wildlife. While not open to the public, the property helps preserve the scenic agricultural character that defines this part of Brunswick.

Morse Farm is a 145-acre conservation easement property on Highland Road in Brunswick that protects a historic 200-year-old agricultural landscape, forest, and wildlife habitat. It supports sustainable forestry, preserves scenic open space, and helps limit development in rural Brunswick. Though not open to the public, the property plays a vital role in supporting the ecological integrity of a large unfragmented forest and Mill Stream corridor.

Neptune Woods is a 64-acre parcel on Brunswick Landing that was donated to the Land Trust by the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority for recreation and conservation. It features beginner-friendly mountain bike trails designed and built by local volunteers and the Six Rivers chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, who continues to maintain and improve the trail system in collaboration with the Land Trust. This collaborative project fills a regional need for mountain biking trails and offers a welcoming outdoor space for the community. 

Packard Farm is a 33-acre conservation easement property in the Pennellville neighborhood, featuring 511 feet of shorefront on ecologically significant Middle Bay. This protected land plays a vital role in preserving the health and scenic beauty of the bay. While public access is not allowed, the easement allows for future trail access.

Peggy Coffin Pond Preserve is a 2-acre property in Brunswick’s Pennellville Historic District, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Named for a small pond found on the property, protecting this land prevents residential development and strengthens a network of conserved properties that safeguard the area’s natural, historic, and agricultural heritage. While not open to the public, this conservation easement supports scenic rural open space and helps protect the water quality of ecologically important Middle Bay.

Pennell Brothers – Coffin Preserve is a 2–acre property in Brunswick’s historic Pennellville District, a National Register of Historic Places site. Conserving this land prevents residential development and supports a larger network of protected properties that preserve the area’s natural, historic, and agricultural heritage. While not open to the public, this conservation easement supports scenic rural open space and helps protect the water quality of ecologically important Middle Bay.

Pennellville Meadow is a 16-acre conservation easement along Middle Bay that inspired the founding of the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust in 1986 (link to ‘our story’ page). Owned by neighborhood shareholders, this scenic meadow is valued for its open space and natural beauty. While the property itself is not open to public access, the expansive meadow can be appreciated by those walking and biking nearby on local roads.

Simpson Farm is a 36-acre conserved property on River Road in Brunswick that protects meadows, forests, and stream floodplain along Simpson Brook, an important habitat for brook trout. The conservation easement conserves scenic views, former farmland, and valuable wildlife habitat near the Androscoggin River. While not open to the public, it contributes to a critical undeveloped corridor supporting rare and sensitive ecosystems.

Skolfield Preserve is an 8.4-acre Land Trust-owned property with scenic shoreline on Middle Bay Cove, next to vital mud and clam flats that support local ecology and fisheries. The preserve features mature trees and offers excellent birdwatching opportunities amid valuable wildlife habitats. Rich in history, the site is near a traditional indigenous canoe portage and a former shipyard, and it welcomes the public with one mile of walking trails.

The Stoddard Property is a 43-acre conservation easement property on Bunganuc Road that protects vital shoreline, marsh, and upland habitat within the Maquoit Bay watershed, an area of statewide ecological significance. Its mix of salt marsh, wooded gullies, and diverse vegetation helps safeguard water quality and support coastal wildlife. While not open to the public, the property plays a critical role in preserving the health and resilience of Maquoit Bay.

Upper Coombs Island is a 7-acre undeveloped island in the New Meadows River protected by a conservation easement, featuring 1,600 feet of rocky shoreline and dense mixed woods that contribute to the area’s scenic beauty. The island provides vital nesting and feeding habitat for wildlife including eagles, osprey, herons, and seals. It also protects important intertidal zones that support clam and marine worm harvesting, though it is still privately owned, and public access is not allowed.

Woodward Cove is an 18-acre property bought by the Land Trust to provide for public use that offers vital access to some of Brunswick’s most productive mud flats for wormers, clammers, and hand-carry boat users. The property protects 1,500 feet of undeveloped forested shoreline next to a pristine salt marsh, supporting important ecological and scenic values. Visitors can follow the brief water access trail to the salt marsh or enjoy a short walk through old apple trees and mixed forest to the property’s high point looking over into the salt marsh. 

Woodward Point Preserve is a stunning 87-acre waterfront property in Brunswick conserved in collaboration with Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) with over two miles of shoreline along the New Meadows River, featuring meadows, forests, and a freshwater pond. Owned by MCHT and co-managed by the Land Trust, this rare, undeveloped coastal parcel offers diverse recreational opportunities like kayaking, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, and hunting. The preserve also protects critical shorebird habitat and productive clam flats, ensuring both ecological and community benefits for generations to come.

Alora Drive is a 13-acre Land Trust property in Topsham featuring about 1,500 feet of frontage on the Cathance River. It plays a key role in protecting water quality, wildlife habitat, and scenic views within the river corridor and downstream Merrymeeting Bay. The property’s upland areas serve as an important buffer between nearby development and five acres of high-value freshwater marsh along the river.

Androscoggin Woods is a 53-acre preserve in Topsham owned by the Land Trust, featuring nearly two miles of Androscoggin River frontage, wetlands, and rich wildlife habitat. The area supports abundant freshwater mussels and clams that help improve water quality and offers scenic spots for fishing, swimming, and paddling just a short distance from a nearby boat launch. The mile-long trail system winds along the riverbank and through the forest, providing visitors with beautiful views and opportunities to connect with nature.

Bradley Pond Farm Preserve is a 163-acre property with fertile farmland found along the shoreline of Bradley Pond, the headwaters of the Cathance River. A conservation easement protects valuable agricultural soil and 4,000 feet of shoreline, serving as a vital forested buffer that supports the health of the Cathance River and Merrymeeting Bay. Visitors can explore trails through peaceful woods and rolling fields with scenic views above Bradley Pond, while respecting landowner boundaries and staying on marked paths.

Cathance River Nature Preserve is a 230-acre property in Topsham protected by a conservation easement featuring nearly 8,000 feet of shoreline along the ecologically vital Cathance River, which flows into the significant Merrymeeting Bay. The preserve offers a gateway to over six miles of public trails through diverse habitats, including river rapids, tidal marshes, and a unique heath fen, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife observation and outdoor recreation. This preserve, developed in partnership with the community and local organizations, serves as a cornerstone for conservation, education, and recreation along the Cathance River corridor. 

The Cary Property is an 8-acre conservation easement property on Foreside Road in Topsham with shoreline on the Muddy River, adjoining protected land managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. This privately owned property helps buffer valuable wetlands and protects water quality flowing into the ecologically and economically important Merrymeeting Bay. It also supports ongoing agricultural use, supporting the area’s scenic and natural character.

Cow Island is a 58-acre island owned by the Land Trust in the Androscoggin River, accessible by a short canoe ride from near the Topsham library. The island’s floodplain habitats, including large silver maples and river channels, provide important stopover sites for migratory birds. Open to the public, Cow Island offers a peaceful setting for passive recreation amid its dynamic river environments.

Fairwinds Farm is a 19-acre conservation easement property that protects vital riparian and upland habitats along the Cathance River. This property helps safeguard water quality and ecological health for the river and downstream Merrymeeting Bay while preserving scenic views enjoyed by paddlers. The easement also supports ongoing farming of a small upland field, supporting the region’s agricultural heritage.

Head of Tide Farm is a 14-acre conservation easement property protecting over 1,000 feet of scenic riparian shoreline along the Cathance River’s tidal boundary in Topsham. This protected area helps support important natural habitat and supports water quality for the river and downstream Merrymeeting Bay. While public access is not allowed, the easement contributes to a larger network of conserved lands safeguarding the region’s ecological health.

Head of Tide Park, found at the furthest tidal reach of the Cathance River, features a stunning 15-foot waterfall, picnic areas, trails, and two hand-carry boat launches for exploring the river’s tidal section as well as above the waterfall. The park preserves important historical sites, including Maine’s first sawmill and a Feldspar mill, and protects a unique freshwater tidal marsh ecosystem rich in wildlife like eagles, herons, and sturgeons. Protected by a conservation easement, the park offers a gateway to over six miles of trails and diverse paddling, fishing, and hunting opportunities, Head of Tide Park provides both recreation and a glimpse into the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

Hideaway Farm Preserve is a 33-acre preserve found along the freshwater tidal stretch of the Cathance River. This Land Trust owned property protects farmland fields and over 1,000 miles of shoreline and important natural habitat for waterfowl, beavers, and many fish species. An easy and .3 mile trail system winds through mixed forest alongside the river, bringing visitors to a peaceful water overlook area.

Little River Preserve is a 4.7-acre forested property owned by the Land Trust and found on Route 196 at the Topsham-Lisbon boundary, featuring 1,500 feet of undeveloped shoreline along the Little River. It is a natural buffer protecting the river’s health and offers great fishing opportunities. While there are no formal trails, the preserve is open to the public for quiet, low-impact recreation with a short footpath along the riverbank.

Mill Forest is a 29-acre property owned by the Land Trust on the western shore of the Cathance River in Topsham, featuring mixed hardwoods, floodplain streams, and early successional forest. It protects about 900 feet of important river frontage that drains into Merrymeeting Bay, a unique tidal delta and key waterfowl habitat in New England. The forest’s history includes scattered quarries and mid-20th-century logging, adding to its rich ecological and cultural value.

The Muddy River Property is a 12-acre Land Trust owned preserve in Topsham featuring freshwater tidal wetlands and upland habitat along the Muddy River. This vital wetland complex supports diverse wildlife, including birds, waterfowl, and intertidal species, and connects to the ecologically significant Merrymeeting Bay and Kennebec Estuary. Open to the public for passive recreation, the property is accessible only by water and is almost entirely freshwater wetlands, offering a peaceful and rarely visited natural refuge near the head of the Muddy River that is best enjoyed by boat.

The Odell Property is an 11-acre landlocked parcel with 1,600 feet of frontage along the Cathance River, contributing to a vital network of conserved lands that protect water quality in the river and Merrymeeting Bay. This Land Trust owned property is a peaceful natural refuge, preserving important habitat, scenic views, and ecological values visible from the nearby Cathance River Trail.

The Perry Property is a 155-acre property owned by the Land Trust in Topsham that protects a large wetland complex feeding the upper Cathance River. It borders Bradley Pond Farm Preserve and includes 2,200 feet of valuable shoreline along the river. Together with nearby conserved lands, this property plays a crucial role in safeguarding the ecology and water quality of the Cathance River and Merrymeeting Bay.

The Ricker-Scammon Farm conservation easement property protects 113 acres of farmland in Topsham, ensuring its continued agricultural use by preventing residential development. This conservation effort also safeguards important wildlife habitat, frontage along Cathance Stream, and scenic rural views. While not open to the public, those driving by on Meadow Cross Road will see the active agriculture taking place on either side of the road, serving as a critical example of how conservation can not only preserve the land but support the local food system.

The Rogers Property is a 32-acre conservation easement property along the Cathance River with 1,300 feet of undeveloped shoreline, contributing to a vital recreation and conservation corridor from Cathance River Nature Preserve to Head of Tide Park. It features a small network of trails, including the scenic Cathance River Trail that runs along the river. Owned by the Town of Topsham, the property welcomes public access for outdoor enjoyment.

Robert Williams’ Preserve includes 58 acres across three parcels along the Cathance River, buffering about 3,500 feet of shoreline that protects water quality and provides vital wildlife habitat. The preserve supports diverse species, including wading birds and upland animals, with special features like a vernal pool. These lands help safeguard the Cathance River and Merrymeeting Bay and contribute to a larger network of conserved lands safeguarding the region’s ecological health.

The Smart Property is a 3.2-acre Land Trust owned property along the Androscoggin River, just steps from downtown Topsham. It features a part of the Town Landing Trail, a short path through a rare Silver Maple Floodplain Forest with towering trees, flooded ash swamps, and scenic river views. This easy to miss spot is home to diverse bird species and offers the chance to see Atlantic sturgeon leaping during their spring migration. 

Tarbox Preserve is a 123-acre property in Topsham, found between the Cathance and Muddy Rivers and accessible from Middlesex Road. This Land Trust owned preserve features diverse habitats, including upland forests, fields, active vernal pools, wetlands, and more than 4,000 feet of river frontage. This rich natural area supports wildlife and offers quiet exploration and connection with nature.

The Dow Property is a 7-acre wetland property owned by the Land Trust found on Doughty Road in Bowdoin, bordering the West Cathance Stream at its southern edge. As part of the Cathance River headwaters, this property plays a crucial role in protecting water quality downstream, including Merrymeeting Bay. Its wetlands provide important habitat and contribute to the health of the larger watershed.