Each year, Coastal Mountains Land Trust recognizes volunteers, community groups, and land donors for their extraordinary service and contributions to the benefit of local land conservation.

Awarded at the annual membership celebration in Belfast this year, Burt Sturrup and Kim Shelley received the Chatfield Land Protection Award, named in honor of Charles and Mary P. Chatfield, for their donation of a conservation easement on their special property on Tilden Pond in Belmont.

“This generous donation permanently conserves a highly scenic, 90-acre property that protects important wildlife habitat at the headwaters of the Ducktrap River,” said CMLT, in a news release.

The Connecting Community & Nature Award, established by the Board in 2018, was presented to the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition (BBWC) for their many years of consistency and effort in sharing the joy of being outdoors with people in the greater Belfast area and increasingly with local schools and children.

Two special people received Zwartjes Volunteer Awards, presented in honor of CMLT’s first Board Chairman, William J. Zwartjes, for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service to the Land Trust:

Phil Gaudet, of Rockport, has participated in different stewardship projects for many years, most recently building and installing weather enclosures for our newly acquired trail counters. 

Wayne Ruesswick, of Camden, was honored for his dedicated volunteer service over the years and his recent work in building the artful kiosk at the new Thorndike Brook trailhead.

“Our work would not be possible nor as successful without the genuine commitment, time, talents, and involvement of these and so many other volunteers,” said CMLT.

Coastal Mountains Land Trust has worked since 1986 to permanently conserve land to benefit the natural and human communities of the western Penobscot Bay. The Land Trust has protected over 12,000 acres, offering 50 miles of trails for public recreation on 37 preserves from Rockport to Prospect.