PARIS – Lee Dassler shared news of the Witt Swamp purchase with Oxford Hills Rotarians at a recent meeting.

The Western Foothills Land Trust has purchased the 141-acre property in order to preserve it in its natural state.

The trust is a nonprofit corporation organized to assist with the protection of natural, scenic, agricultural or recreational properties. A trust acts as the legal recipient of conservation easements.

Witt Swamp was purchased with private donations in addition to loans. Anyone interested in making a donation to the Witt Swamp Campaign can contact the Land Trust at PO Box 107, Norway, ME or Dassler at 743-8820.

The trust holds more than 250 acres in conservation easements. Centered in Oxford Hills, the trust is part of a network of land trusts helping to protect Maine’s natural environment for present and future generations.

There will eventually be a marked trail to access the property off Pleasant Street, but for now kayakers can enter by water.

The Oxford Hills Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. every Wednesday at the First Congregational Church in South Paris. If interested in attending a meeting, contact President Patty Rice at 743-7777.