The 164-acre Howard Hill property, with its scenic views of the Kennebec River and the Maine State Capitol, is owned by the City of Augusta and protected by an easement held by the Kennebec Land Trust. The success of the conservation effort is due in large part to Jerry Bley. In 2013 he brought his professional expertise to the table. For three years, with patience, persistence, and optimism, Jerry negotiated with the previous landowner, KLT, and the City of August and navigated the shifting priorities of the Land for Maine’s Future program. In this process, he earned the trust of all parties involved.
He was recently recognized for his conservation work by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust as mentioned in the Bangor Daily News article below.
TOPSHAM – Maine Coast Heritage Trust has named Jerry Bley as recipient of the 2022 Espy Land Heritage Award, an annual award that recognizes an individual, organization, or coalition for exemplary conservation efforts in Maine.
“Jerry has been involved in land conservation in Maine on multiple levels for more than 30 years,” shared MCHT President Kate Stookey. “Throughout his career, he has exhibited a keen ability to effectively collaborate with multiple organizations, municipal leaders, and state agencies to protect large scale tracts, small community parks, and everything in between.”
“Jerry Bley has also played a leadership role in addressing community conservation needs, climate change resilience, protection of critical resources, and the expansion of outdoor recreational opportunities,” explained Warren Whitney, director of MCHT’s Maine Land Trust Program. “His work as chair of Governor King’s Land Acquisition Priorities Council in 1997 and more recently as co-coordinator of the Maine’s Land Conservation Task Force in 2019 have shaped Maine’s conservation priorities for decades.”
“What distinguishes every really successful land conservation project is the presence of someone who thoroughly understands everything that needs to take place and when,” wrote 7 Lakes Alliance board member Peter Kallin. “That’s where you will find Jerry, dotting every “i” and crossing every “t” and continually pointing to the next thing that needs to be done to ensure success, not caring who “gets the credit” but simply trying to get the deal done.”
As principal of Creative Conservation, LLC, a land use and environmental consulting business, Bley helps countless land trusts, families, and individuals develop sound strategies to conserve valued lands. He works tirelessly with many Maine families, sometimes needing to navigate complex family dynamics, to achieve conservation successes. This work involves listening, exploring options, and looking for creative, often out-of-the-box, solutions that result in win-win outcomes. Bley also puts these skills to use as coordinator of the Pierce Pond Watershed Trust.
For the full article visit: https://bangordailynews.com/2022/04/01/bdn-maine/maine-coast-heritage-trust-names-bley-as-recipient-of-the-2022-espy-land-heritage-award/
https://www.mltn.org/video/2022-espy-land-heritage-award-jerry-bley/