In late December, after over a year of planning and fundraising, The Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) announced that it has permanently protected the 55-acre Weston Woods Preserve on Little Cobbossee Lake in East Winthrop. Conserving this land, which is adjacent to the Trust’s 90-acre Little Cobbossee Oatway Preserve, advances KLT’s mission of protecting important ecosystems and providing open space for our region’s communities.
The acquisition was made possible with a generous donation from Bob and Jim Weston, a grant from the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP), and far-sighted KLT and community members. Weston Woods includes 1,315 feet of undeveloped shoreline; forested, scrub-shrub, and emergent wetlands; 1,500 feet of perennial streams; and land designated as Inland Waterfowl and Wading Bird Habitat. Two rare plants have been identified on the property: Columbian water-meal (Wolffia columbiana) and pointed water-meal (Wolffia brasilensis).
KLT will manage the Preserve to protect wetlands, water quality, and wildlife habitat, as well as for low-impact recreation including hiking, hunting, snowmobiling and nature observation. In 2021, KLT’s stewardship staff and summer interns will create a new trail that will link Weston Woods with the west shore of the Oatway Preserve. A snowmobile trail that crosses the northern portion of the property will continue to be open and maintained by the Hillandalers Club. An August 2021 property and trail dedication is planned.
At the time of their donation, Bob and Jim Weston wrote:
In memory of Hope and Pete Weston, Bob and Mickie Weston and Jim and Judy Weston are pleased to be able to make “Weston Woods” available to the public to include snowmobiling and hunting and other activities. Weston Woods is a peaceful place for both people and wildlife to enjoy forever. Without KLT this could not have come to reality.
Kim Vandermeulen, President of the KLT Board of Directors, added his appreciation, We are grateful to Jim and Bob Weston for their generosity and farsighted conservation vision; and we look forward to adding protection for the Cobbossee watershed and welcoming the community to another publicly accessible conservation property in Kennebec County.
https://www.centralmaine.com/2020/12/31/kennebec-land-trust-acquires-55-acre-weston-woods-in-east-winthrop/