The Woodie Wheaton Land Trust has purchased scenic Greenland Island, in East Grand Lake. The purchase was undertaken for the benefit of the general public --- for the aesthetic and recreational enjoyment of all lake users. The land trust is committed to preserving the natural character of East Grand Lake for today’s and future generations.

Located near the Greenland Point Landing in the Town of Danforth, Greenland Island has long served as a place where local residents and visitors can enjoy a quiet respite under its dense forest canopy, while enjoying the expansive view across the lake. Sporting over one half mile of rugged, undeveloped, forested shoreline, the island also contributes greatly to the natural beauty of East Grand Lake.

To ensure that this local landmark will forever provide public benefit, and that development rights are extinguished, the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust has responded to the property’s appearance on the real estate market by purchasing it with a mortgage loan from Machias Savings Bank. The land trust has established a fundraising campaign to repay the loan, create a small stewardship fund, and cover other related project expenses. While the island’s management plan is not yet complete, a key goal will be to provide the greatest long-term benefit to the public possible while keeping an important feature of the local landscape natural.

The WWLT East Grand Watershed Initiative (EGWI) Funds - Policy Statement

EGWI Project Goal:

To conserve the undeveloped shorelands and associated backlands of East Grand, Brackett, Deering, & North Lakes, including The Thoroughfare and to protect scenic, aesthetic, and recreational opportunities for the benefit of both community residents and the public.

To that end, we must start now to build a base of people and financial support so we are prepared to react quickly to market opportunities if, when, and how they arise. For that reason, we have developed a dedicated fund to support this stated EGWI goal.

EGWI Fund Statement of Purpose:

Contributions identified as being earmarked for projects in the East Grand Watershed will be received and ultimately expended for the sole purpose of conserving and attempting to conserve the undeveloped shorelands and associated backlands of East Grand, Brackett, Deering, & North Lakes, including The Thoroughfare.

Project work areas that this geographically focused fund will finance include:

• Fundraising from individuals, corporations and foundations,
• Recruiting partner organizations,
• Developing land owner communication,
• Project research, promotion and outreach,
• Natural resource analysis and planning,
• Due diligence investigation related to individual acquisitions,
• Actual land acquisition payments,
• Other direct and indirect expenses related to acquiring and attempting to acquire lands within the EGWI Fund target area.

Fund Administration:

The Woodie Wheaton Land Trust will hold and administer the EGWI Funds. A special project Advisory Committee will be appointed to assist in the management of said Funds.

The balance of all past EGWI receipts have been expended for EGWI Projects during the summer of 2008 and ultimately for the purchase of Greenland Island in September of 2008. Additional EGWI contributions are being received for the purpose of retiring the Greenland Island mortgage and future EGWI area shoreland acquisitions.