BRIDGTON – Loon Echo Land Trust recently announced a major land gift of 160 acres from the Ordway family, owners of Camp Winona in Bridgton.

The gift will go toward the Lakes Region Legacy capital campaign, a $1.5 million effort to preserve Pleasant Mountain in Denmark, as well as purchase key parcels within the Sebago Headwaters.

Within the last week, the Lakes Region Legacy Campaign has now surpassed the $1 million mark in pledges and gifts received.

The parcel is near the summit of the 2,007-foot mountain and contains the popular Bald Peak and Needle’s Eye hiking trails. The gift also abuts 1,288 acres that Loon Echo purchased in late 2003 from a private landowner.

“The Ordway family is delighted to donate our Pleasant Mountain properties to help preserve Pleasant Mountain and Moose Pond for future generations,” said Camp Winona Director Alan B. Ordway.

“We are overwhelmed at the generosity of the Ordway family,” said campaign co-chairman and land trust President Connie Cross. “This unique parcel of land is directly contiguous to our 1,288 acres, so it will provide even more protection for valuable plant and wildlife systems, air and water quality, and ensure continued public access to the hiking trails.”

The land trust is a nonprofit land preservation organization with 500 members in Bridgton. More information may be obtained by calling 647-4352 or on the Internet at www.loonecholandtrust.org.