Since 1999,  Dana and Kay Gibson have  been piecing together parcels on either side of the St. George River in Searsmont and most recently in Appleton to create a legacy for their community, known as the Gibson Preserve.  The 165-acre woodland preserve provides a wilderness escape among mature pines along this quiet stretch of the St. George River. 

Extensive hiking and winter use trails traverse the property including a section of Georges Highland Path that connects this property to the Appleton Preserve, downstream along the river. The gift of this new section of the Gibson Preserve came through the generosity of Kay Gibson. 

“When the Land Trust notified me that the Appleton parcel owned by Wayne and Lynn Thomas was for sale, I didn’t hesitate to figure out a way to acquire it, as we had viewed it as a keystone property to enter the largest portion of the Gibson Preserve” said Kay Gibson, in a news release.

With frontage and a parking lot on Cedar Lane in Appleton, this new parcel provides  permanent access to the larger track on the southern side of the River. This new piece complements the access on the northern side of the river where the Land Trust has a parking area off Route 173 in Searsmont.  The addition of the Thomas 15-acre parcel honors Dana Gibson who was the visionary behind the Gibson Preserve and also celebrates Kay and Dana Gibsons’ long-term connection with the Land Trust and the Thomas family. 

The story of conservation happens one piece at a time through the generosity of people like the Gibsons, the release said.

The Georges River Land Trust, since 1987, has been working throughout the Georges River watershed  to conserve and protect the natural resources and traditional character of the 225- square mile Georges River watershed region. For more information about the Land Trust and its programs to engage people in the value outdoor spaces, check out the website www.georgesriver.org, or email at info@grlt.org.