The federal government has awarded three conservation groups $1 million to protect more than 2,700 acres on the Blue Hill peninsula. The grant was awarded to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Blue Hill Heritage Trust and The Conservation Trust of Brooksville, Castine and Penobscot.
The money will be used to protect wetlands and wildlife habitat in the Bagaduce River watershed in Down East Maine, according to the Bangor Daily News. In their application for federal funds through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the groups listed 13 conservation projects in the region. They must match every dollar of the federal money with $1.50 in other funds. Per federal rules, public access must be guaranteed to the conserved areas. The groups are still negotiating with landowners on the projects.
The land is important for waterfowl and other bird species, as well as tourism, according to the paper.