BELFAST — Land In Common, The Possibility Alliance, and the Little River Coalition are fundraising to purchase 66 acres and a house that will become a land trust and community educational center on the banks of the Little River in Belfast.

According to a news release, the community land trust would be held by Land in Common (www.landincommon.org), a multi-racial-led land trust whose vision is “a world in which land is shared and cared for in common, where humans and other species flourish in interdependence.” Through joint stewardship with Wabanaki groups and other Black-and Brown-led organizations, the land would support Wabanaki Lifeways and would be maintained according to principles of  ecological restoration, Regenerative Forestry, and Permaculture. The project would include community access to the Little River, outdoor event spaces, and a craft space, as well as providing a place to hold classes, workshops, and youth programs, all offered within the gift economy.

The Little River Land Trust would be the first multi-racial-led land trust and gift-economy-based commons also supporting Wabanaki Lifeways, within city limits, in Belfast’s 250-year colonial history.

Autumn Jade Fitch, who is Pasamaquoddy, is the project leader for Land in Common and will be presenting about the proposed land trust, alongside Ethan Hughes of the Possibility Alliance, on Sunday, April 7, from 2-4 p.m., at the proposed site, 3 Adney Place, off Edgecomb Road in Belfast.

The fundraising goal is $425,000 to purchase the 66 acres and house, and $50,000 for improvements to the property. All donations will be refunded if the goal is not met. April 15 is the deadline to raise the needed funds. 

For more information or to contribute, go to www.littleriver.ju.mp or call Ethan Hughes at 207-338-5719 or email Shawn Gregory at shawncollective@gmail.com.