sunset over Sears Island by Buck Bulkley Photography

News

Activities on and about Sears Island

Trail locator signs, steps to the beach, the newly opened Blue Trail, an updated brochure and a soon-to-be-completed informational kiosk are indicators of activity within Friends of Sears Island. Add fundraising and writing grant proposals to finance projects and you have a group busily pursuing long anticipated goals.

FOSI's ongoing project through the spring, summer and fall of 2010 is a Natural Resource Inventory of the 601 acres under the conservation easement. The final product of the inventory will be documentation, digital and print, of the diverse plant and animal communities, with special attention given to sensitive areas.

There will be extensive plant lists accompanied by photos, GPS locations and GIS mapping. This information, along with management recommendations, will guide FOSI in its stewardship role – maintaining the tradition of public access while taking measures to reduce impact on the abundant natural resources – as we consider future trails and other activities.


Jake measuring for circumference and
diameter with specially calibrated tape


Jake, FOSI’s Bob Ramsdell
& Alison count rings on a
core sample taken from a tree

Along the homestead Trail

FOSI is most fortunate to have the team of biologist Alison Dibble (Stewards LLC) and forester Jake Maier (JM Forestry) conducting the inventory, which is made possible in part by a grant from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund.

In October, the Maine Conservation Corps will be making some needed upgrades along the Homestead Trail, as recommended by Trail Consultant Lester Kenway. To control erosion and reduce impact on wet areas the Corps will construct cedar log bog bridges and install waterbars to deflect runoff. This project will be paid for in part by a grant from the Recreational Trails Program, sponsored by Maine's Bureau of Parks and Lands.

FOSI welcomes volunteers to help with “Adopt-a-Trail” monitoring (no money, just a nice walk from time to time), trail grooming, grant writing and fundraising . . . or any other skills and talents you feel would be beneficial.

For more info:

FOSI
PO Box 348
Searsport ME 04974