Piece by piece, a connected landscape takes shape at Half Moon Pond
An aerial view of the crescent-shaped pond for which the Half Moon Pond Conservation Area is named, with Lower Pond visible beyond. Photo by Brian Goding
This story was featured in the spring 2024 edition of our River Currents (printed) newsletter. See a pdf version of the newsletter here.
In April of 2022, Coastal Rivers made its biggest single-day purchase in the organization’s history: a total of 487 acres along Poor Farm Road in Bristol.
Named for the pristine, crescent-shaped pond at its center, the Half Moon Pond Conservation Area occupies an undeveloped habitat block of nearly 4,000 acres – the largest, and perhaps the richest in diversity of species, on the Pemaquid Peninsula.
Half Moon Pond is adjacent to a 245-acre area already conserved by Coastal Rivers, made up of a conservation easement and two neighboring preserves, Cosima’s and Keyes Woods.
Now, two years after that historic day, Half Moon Pond has grown by three additional purchased properties and one conservation easement, with the acquisition of a fifth property in the works – bringing the total conserved area to over 1,000 acres!
Circled in red, the Half Moon Pond Conservation area now totals over 1,000 acres.
The area represents a rich mosaic of different habitat types, including acres upon acres of undisturbed wetland habitat, vernal pools, beaver dams, and ponds frequented by inland wading birds and waterfowl. Its woodlands provide deer wintering grounds and habitat for moose, fisher, bobcat and other farther-ranging mammals.
Large, connected corridors like this one and the River~Link corridor on the Boothbay peninsula are important because they can support a more diverse mix of wildlife species than smaller, more fragmented areas. They offer safe haven for many birds and other shy creatures that will only inhabit places far from people and pets.
In addition to its clear benefits to wildlife, the success of this strategic effort is a win for the continued health and vitality of our waterways. The sprawling wetlands act as a massive buffer and filtration system – absorbing, slowing, and cleaning the flow of water before it eventually reaches both the Damariscotta and Pemaquid Rivers.
It’s also a win for recreation, providing opportunity for hunting, fishing, and nature observation. Part of the 35-mile Route 66 snowmobile network crosses the property, and its protection ensures it will remain open for public use.
Looking ahead, there is work to be done on the existing woods roads to restore stream flow and eliminate erosion. Any new trails will be carefully sited to avoid sensitive habitat. With an eye to forest health, ongoing stewardship will include monitoring and controlling invasive plants and insects.
The most recent additions to Half Moon Pond were made possible by private support as well as a grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Large Grants Program (NAWCA), which we applied for in collaboration with Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
Coastal Rivers is still actively fundraising for the Half Moon Pond Initiative. For more information, please contact Steven at 207-563-1393 x330.
