We’re thrilled to share that we’ve recently acquired a 19-acre property in Newcastle, an addition that expands the Marsh River Bog Preserve and extends the River~Link trail and wildlife corridor northward. The new property, purchased from Amanda and Sean Penny in October, adds to one of the region’s most distinctive wetlands and secures an important wildlife crossing along Route 1.

A collaborative conservation effort

River~Link represents a multi-year collaboration among state, municipal, and nonprofit partners. Together, we’re working to create a permanently conserved, accessible network of land across the Boothbay Peninsula. This initiative supports climate resilience, clean water, and outdoor recreation, and it fosters community connection while ensuring safe passage for wildlife.

Securing a wildlife corridor,  rare plant community, and scenic gateway

There is evidence of a healthy population of moose within the River~Link corridor, and the Penny property is located at a point where the large mammals are known to cross Route 1 as they travel north and south.

The wetland itself is a beautifully complex area, rich with features that make it truly unique. In spring, tufts of cotton grass sprout up across the bog, while wild cranberries and carnivorous pitcher plants thrive among the native vegetation. The bog also represents vital habitat for nesting waterfowl such as wood ducks and Hooded mergansers.

The new addition complements existing conserved lands around the bog, creating a stronger buffer to protect water quality downstream into the Marsh and Sheepscot Rivers. It also serves as a scenic gateway to the Damariscotta-Newcastle area.

A testament to generosity

We owe a huge thanks to Sean and Amanda Penny, who graciously sold us the property below market value. Their generosity enabled us to leverage the donated value for several grants, including those from the Davis Conservation Foundation, the John Sage Foundation, and a pending grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We’re also deeply grateful to the Ram Island Conservation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation for their invaluable support.

“When we learned how this property could fill in a missing piece in the River~Link corridor, we knew it was the right thing to do,” the Pennys wrote to us after the sale. “We’re proud to play a small part in this larger project.”

Carrying the momentum forward

This is just the latest step forward in the River~Link initiative. In 2024, we added two more pieces to the corridor, with the 45-acre Patten property and the 10-acre Reed’s Trees property forming a key connection between Baker Forest and the Schaller Preserve.

To all of our supporters and partners who make our work possible, thank you! Every bit of land we conserve and every connection we make is a win for our community and our environment.