2011 Annual Report - Celebrating 25 Years of Land Conservation

In 2011, the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust (CELT) celebrated 25 years of conserving and stewarding lands cherished by our community. As the CELT staff and board planned the year, we wanted it to be a special one, so we mapped out and achieved some fairly aggressive goals for the benefit of our community.

1. Lands

Securing an option to purchase Robinson Woods II has long been a top land conservation priority for both CELT and the Town of Cape Elizabeth. After several years of working with the landowners of this beautiful property that serves as a vital connector of the Cross-Town Walk, CELT signed an agreement in May to purchase 63.6-acres for $1.1 million. Read more about Robinson Woods II.

2. Governance, Accreditation & Finance

In 2010, CELT received funding from the Maine Excellence Program to pursue accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The accreditation seal recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national standards for excellence, uphold the public trust and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent. During the past year, CELT's Accreditation, Governance and Finance Committees have established a comprehensive work plan that will prepare us to apply for accreditation in 2013.

3. Community Outreach & Membership

To commemorate our 25th anniversary, CELT hosted two social events for members. In November, Maine author Collin Woodard presented an informative and entertaining history of Maine to over 100 participants who packed into The Local Buzz for CELT's annual meeting. Then, in April local author Bill Burke spoke to a group of 75 members at the Inn by the Sea, sharing amusing stories of Ted Turner's land conservation efforts. CELT also reached its goal of adding 100 net new members in 2011, bringing the membership total to 650, a record for the organization.

4. Development

CELT's Development Committee hosted two annual fundraising events, the Paint for Preservation Wet Paint Auction in July and the newly named Tri for Preservation Triathlon in August. Both events were incredibly successful and generated over $75,000 in net income for CELT. As a result of these efforts, strong membership support and a successful challenge grant that celebrated our 25th year, CELT generated operating cash flow in excess of $60,000, our most successful operating year in our 25-year history. The Development Committee also led the fundraising charge for Robinson Woods II, reaching over 65% of the fundraising goal within six months.

5. Education

As part of our ongoing commitment to engage our community in learning more about the natural habitats found on our properties, CELT's Education Committee continues to find new ways to inspire through its school programs and community service walks. Popular programs this year have included a geology tour led by CELT Board member Sheldon Smith, our semi-annual Cross Town Walk, and a new first grade program taking local students to preserved lands at Great Pond. In addition to these programs, the Education Committee continues its hugely popular fourth grade walk program, which offers six hours of interactive learning activities at Robinson Woods, reinforcing in-classroom lessons on nutrient cycles, water cycles, and animal and plant adaptations.

6. Stewardship

Maintaining nearly 600 acres of land on some 26 properties requires a dedicated team of volunteers. This year Robinson Woods was at the center of our property maintenance efforts. Between spring cleanup days and summer trail work, CELT was fortunate to have the entire eighth grade class join us for a weeklong work project in late May. Clearing brush and building bridges provided a welcome classroom break for the students while at the same time providing CELT with some much needed help in taming the growing piles of downed limbs and perpetually wet trail areas. By week's end a significant portion of the wildflower trail at Robinson Woods and the area around the property's largest pond were markedly improved.