WALDOBORO — One hundred and seven acres of woodland and fields on Depot Street were recently donated to the Medomak Valley Land Trust. Ted and Delia Mohlie donated the property to permanently conserve it for future generations.

The property has been owned by the Mohlie's for almost 30 years. They have tended the property with love and maintained a network of hiking trails. A snowmobile trail also traverses the property. These trails, as well as another new trail around the boundary, are now open to the public.

A trail opening ceremony will be held in the spring.

"We have been so fortunate to be able to enjoy the woods and fields of our Depot Street property. The smell of balsam fir, the view of clouds across the sky, the sounds of Bobolinks, the joy of watching wildlife through the seasons, and the feel of the breeze, these have been treats for us. We want others to be able to enjoy them, too" said the Mohlies, in a news release. "Access to open space is important. It is positive and restorative. We are donating land to MVLT because they are excellent stewards of open space for public access. They care about saving local places for folks to spend time outside.

They take the long range view and have a flexible approach to designing easements or gifts. They are the gold standard for being user-friendly to landowners. Plainly put, perpetuity is a long time.

They get that, and they are the ones we want as shepherds for our gift of land for now and for the future" they continued.

With their donation, the Mohlies join a growing group of people committed to conserving special places for future generations.

"MVLT is extremely grateful for Ted and Delia's generosity and foresight in protecting this important place. We are proud and excited to add the preserve to the properties owned and maintained by the land trust, and are anxious to have the public experience the new trail system" said Charlie Witherell, the MVLT Board President.

Medomak Valley Land Trust has been working for more than 20 years to promote and preserve the natural, recreational, and scenic character and traditional land uses of the Medomak River watershed.

For more information about this or other preserves, or conservation options and services to landowners, contact the land trust's Waldoboro office at 832-5570 or mvlt@midcoast.com, or visit medomakvalley.org.