GREENE – Through a $55,667 grant from the Land for Maine’s Future Program, the Androscoggin Land Trust was able to close on a one-year option to purchase an additional 120 acres on Hooper Pond (Little Sabattus Pond) on March 23.

The state program seeks to protect lands that have exceptional natural or recreational value.

In total, the trust has acquired on Hooper Pond 187.5 acres for permanent protection during the last two years. In addition, Barbara Bubier donated 13.5 acres of exemplary wetlands bordering Hooper Pond and Hooper Brook to the trust in 2002.

“Hooper Pond became a conservation priority for the land trust when the Department of Conservation’s Maine Natural Areas Program identified the area to be of statewide ecological significance through their land trust awareness program,” said Michael Auger, trust lands and stewardship chairman.

Hooper Pond is one of the few remaining ponds in the area with public access, but without homes and camps covering its shores. Its wetlands and watershed are home to wildlife, breeding birds and unusual plants; its waters have provided fishing, canoeing, skating and a quiet getaway for generations.

In 2002 the trust purchased 54 acres on the east shore of the pond after conducting its first-ever land campaign. In March 2003 the town of Greene voted in favor of a warrant to contribute $10,000 to assist with initial purchase of land on the pond.

Other contributions from that campaign included grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife NAWCA Small Grant Program, Boston Foundation, Davis Conservation Foundation, Field Pond Foundation, John Sage Foundation and Switzer Foundation.

Christina Epperson, trust president, said, “The LMF funding has enabled ALT to realize its conservation goals for Hooper Pond. The Philbrook and Blaisdell families should also be recognized for their patience during this process of fund-raising and for the enthusiasm they have expressed in seeing their land conserved.”

The Hooper Pond trust properties will be maintained forever for the protection and management of wildlife habitat and traditional, low-impact public access. The land can best be accessed via the Greene non-motorized boat landing during any season.

The trust is planning a stewardship workday from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, May 2. Contact Michael Auger at 782-2302 if interested in attending.

The trust is a nonprofit land conservation organization that works to protect through land conservation and stewardship, the traditional landscapes, ecological integrity and outdoor recreational opportunities in the Central Androscoggin River Valley Region.

Since 1991, the trust has conserved more than 2,000 acres throughout Androscoggin County and in nearby towns such as Jay, Canton and West Bowdoin.

For more information or to become a member, contact the trust office at 782-2302.