History

The Somerset Woods Trustees (SWT) was formed in 1927 and is likely the oldest land trust in Maine. Louise Helen Coburn (1856-1949) of Skowhegan, botanist, historian, poet, author, philanthropist and visionary, initiated the Somerset Woods Trustees and was its first president.

A board having a maximum of 12 volunteer directors governs the SWT. Current directors are listed on our Contact page.

The Charter of the Somerset Woods Trustees, its enabling legislation, as amended, states the purpose of the organization is to acquire, hold, manage, arrange, maintain, tracts of land the organization may be able to acquire, alone or in cooperation with others, in Somerset County. In carrying forward this purpose, the mission of the Somerset Woods Trustees is to protect lands which have significant natural or cultural resources and manage them in a sustainable way for public benefit. Where possible, the Trustees open those lands to the public under suitable regulations.

The Somerset Woods Trustees is a 501(c)(3) organization and any donations are therefore tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Focus Species Forestry

Focus Species Forestry is an approach to sustainable forestry that was developed by Maine Audubon in partnership with the Maine Forest Service, the Maine Natural Areas Program, the Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine, and the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine. The goal of the program is “to provide habitat for the vast majority of forest species.”

This approach is also called the “umbrella species” approach. Management for focus species is primarily for wildlife, but the approach also is intended to maintain natural communities and diversity of native plants in the forest being managed.

The SWT Coburn Woods parcel was accepted by Maine Audubon as one of only 12 “community forests” in Maine chosen to serve as “models of ecologically responsible forestry for other communities”.

Learn more about Focus Species Forestry:

Focus Species Forestry

Properties

The Somerset Woods Trustees owns 23 holdings comprising about 842 acres in Somerset County, Maine. They are located in Canaan, Cornville, Madison, Embden, Skowhegan, and Starks, and range in size from 1.4 to 304 acres. Thirteen of these properties have frontage on the Kennebec River or a major tributary. The largest holding is Coburn Woods, which overlooks the Skowhegan urban area. The smallest is a parcel on the east side of Lake George in Canaan. Whether large or small, all of the holdings have value to the public.

A location map and brief description of each property can be found on our Properties page.

A complete listing of SWT's properties can be found here. Property Listing

The Somerset Woods Trustees also holds conservation easements on eight properties totaling about 643 acres. As do the properties owned in fee, these easements conserve forestland, fields, wetlands, wildlife habitat, shorelines, and scenic and cultural resources for public benefit while still allowing appropriate activities. However, unlike the properties owned in fee, the locations of conservation easement properties are not shown on maps as these are privately owned and generally open to the public only by landowner permission.

Requests for additional information may be directed to the Somerset Woods Trustees. Contact Us

Acquisition, Use and Conveyance Policies

In carrying forward its stated purpose and mission, highest emphasis is placed on lands bordering the Kennebec River and the major and minor tributaries, lakes and ponds in its watershed. Where public access is practical, non-motorized recreational uses are generally favored over motorized uses, with some limited exceptions.

The Somerset Woods Trustees has adopted written policies and procedures regarding acquisition, use and conveyance of property and conservation easements. These are periodically reviewed and amended, and are available upon request.

Standards and Practices

The Somerset Woods Trustees has the following standards and practices:

  1. Public access and appropriate uses will be allowed by suitable regulation on properties.
  2. Public access and use will be subject to controls and restrictions necessary to protect any natural or cultural resources present, to promote safety, and to respect neighboring landowners and the public.
  3. Non-motorized uses of properties by the public will continue to be encouraged as appropriate (e.g., walking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, nature/bird watching, environmental education).
  4. Scenic resources will continue to be a high priority.
  5. Public recreation will continue to be a high priority.
  6. State natural and cultural resource agencies such as MNAP, IF&W, and MHPC, will be advised of the locations of SWT properties and invited to review and provide comments and recommendations regarding them.
  7. Significant disturbance of the ground will not be allowed without prior review and approval by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission or other accepted archeological (prehistoric/historic) authority.
  8. Hunting will be allowed as appropriate on rural holdings.
  9. Fishing will be allowed as appropriate on all holdings.
  10. Snowmobiles operated in winter conditions on State or SWT designated trails will be allowed.
  11. All other motorized vehicles such as ATVs, 4WDs, dirt bikes, etc. will not be allowed because of their incompatibility with allowable uses, damage done to resources, and noise.
  12. Camping will be by permission only and subject to strict controls.
  13. Timber harvesting will be conducted on some holdings where appropriate and subject to controls necessary to result in long-term sustainability and to protect/enhance natural and cultural resources, scenic resources, and neighboring landowners.
  14. Mountain biking will be allowed where appropriate.
  15. Long-term uses by appropriate entities will be considered on a case-to-case basis (e,g., by State, Towns, private organizations for recreational purposes, private individuals for agricultural or forestry purposes).

Conceptual Management Plans

To manage its holdings in accordance with its mission and its vision, the Somerset Woods Trustees has developed conceptual management plans for each of its existing properties and will do so for future acquisitions as well. Contiguous properties are covered under a single plan where it makes sense to do so. These conceptual plans provide guidance for the general management and use of each parcel and are subject to being modified as circumstances change.

Each conceptual management plan contains sections on:

  1. Location
  2. Size
  3. Land Cover
  4. Features/Public Values
  5. Focus Species
  6. Concerns
  7. Recommendations

Please visit our Properties page for links to the individual Conceptual Management Plans for each of the Trustees' properties.