By Wolfe Tone

Project Manager, The Trust for Public Land (Portland)

A writer, a scientist, an ecologist, Rachel Carson expanded an entire generation’s understanding of our human relationship between the oceans, its shores, and our landscape.  The power of her writings brought rise to changes in society’s decisions and behavior that would have lasting positive impacts on our natural environment.  In 1956 she insisted on taking “practical action” to conserve Maine’s rapidly changing landscape, and in the summer of that same year, Rachel Carson called out  to all of us in her essay, “Help Your Child to Wonder,” to “experience nature over knowing nature.” May we all be so lucky today as to hold on to that sense of wonder about our natural world that is gifted to children.

We are lucky. Maine’s natural environment is one of our state’s greatest assets, and for more than forty years the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has invested its talented staff and limited resources to protect species habitat and provide all of us with the opportunity to experience our natural world at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.  

With operation budgets cut to almost nothing and acquisition budgets all but eliminated, the Refuge today succeeds through maintaining strong partnerships with landowners, community leaders, and conservation organizations like the Friends of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, The Trust for Public Land, local land trusts, and others.  The refuge works entirely with willing sellers and holds approximately 5,300 acres in fee ownership or conservation easements.  In the past seven years, the refuge has protected an additional 415 acres of bird and wildlife habitat, and every acre was made possible by the ongoing display of strong local support and the unyielding support for the conservation of our state’s natural treasures by Senators Collins and Snowe and Congressman Allen.

A new conservation opportunity for the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, the possible protection of the 110-acre Timber Point property, was reported in last week’s edition of The Courier, and the Kennebunk Post.  

Timber Point is one of the last remaining large coastal parcels under single ownership left in southern Maine.  The property hosts outstanding sea bird and migratory bird habitat, and as anyone who has stood on the sands of Goose Rocks Beach knows, Timber Point remains largely in its natural state – calling to be protected and experienced in the spirit of Rachel Carson.

The Trust for Public Land, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, and the Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge are combining our skills and resources to try to protect this important property. We are committing our resources without hesitation and with the objective of enabling all to enjoy the wonders of Timber Point.  The Ewing family, who has owned Timber Point for generations, has invited us to the table.  We will only succeed with the combined support of everyone who shares in the belief of protecting our natural heritage.

Thanks to the  foresight and hard work of the USFWS, we all have access to the coast and spectacular birding sites. We can scramble the rocky shore or saunter sandy beaches, we can cast a fishing line, and have opportunities to bird hunt. Over the early weeks of February, our discussions with many of you in the community have resulted in important messages of support for the Refuge and the acquisition of Timber Point,  and your  loud and consistent voices are critically needed. Rachel Carson changed our collective thinking and helped bring us a cleaner environment today.  

The lands protected by the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, and each additional parcel along our rivers and in our communities, similarly transform our ability to connect with our environment and shape and protect what our world will be tomorrow.