WALDOBORO — Georges River Land Trust (GRLT) was recently awarded $420,000 from the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP). This grant will fund an approximate 8-acre restoration project at Alford Brook Preserve in Waldoboro to expand and restore the riparian buffer around the brook, according to GRLT, in a news release.

Alford Brook Preserve, located in northwest Waldoboro off Chapel and Old Augusta roads, was conserved in early 2025 thanks to a donation to the land trust from an anonymous and generous Waldoboro resident. The 72.5-acre preserve contains wetlands along Alford Brook, a tributary that flows into the St. George River, as well as forest, grasslands and blueberry fields. Georges River Land Trust contracts with Beth’s Farm Market, a local fruit and vegetable grower, to mechanically harvest and maintain a large portion of the blueberry fields.

Over the next year, Georges River Land Trust will collaborate with Flycatcher LLC, a small environmental and land-use consulting firm based in Yarmouth, to put together the work plans for this vital restoration work. The land trust envisions local school groups utilizing the preserve to learn about wetland restoration through assisting in the work of replanting and long-term monitoring. This year, GRLT plans to build a parking lot and create a walking trail on the preserve so that the community can access and enjoy the scenic preserve.

“Coming from a natural resource background of helping identify and permit the unavoidable natural resource impacts in our region, I am very excited to be on the other side of the spectrum, utilizing funds to help restore and enhance the natural resources in the St. George River Watershed,” said Natalie Curry, Stewardship Manager for Georges River Land Trust.

This project is made possible by the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP). The MNRCP awards funding to projects that restore, enhance, or preserve wetlands and other important habitats to help offset unavoidable impacts to natural resources across the state. GRLT is grateful for the MNRCP's investment in the health and resilience of the St. George River watershed, according to GRLT.

Georges River Land Trust has been conserving and caring for the St. George River watershed since 1987. The land trust has conserved 5,495 acres of forest, farm, and shoreline, and maintains over 80 miles of public trails in 19 towns from Montville to Cushing. This conservation work is supported by over 1,000 community members. Visit georgesriver.org to join the community and learn more.