AUGUSTA — The Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust was honored as the 2008 Conservation Landowner of the Year at the Landowners Recognition Awards banquet, held on Oct. 20 at the Augusta Civic Center. They were nominated for the recognition by the Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen’s Association.

The honor recognized the trust for their efforts in providing public access to many of the region’s natural resources. The nomination also noted their dedication to improve fish and wildlife habitat, provide and maintain more than 35 miles of recreational trails and for their numerous programs designed to protect a variety of resources and educate both young and old about responsible stewardship.

Some of the lands that the trust has conserved that provide nature-based recreational opportunities include riparian areas along rivers such as the Kennebago, the Rapid, and Rangeley and streams like South Bog and Bemis. Other notable conservation efforts include Cascade Stream Gorge, the west shore of Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Cupsuptic, Toothaker Island, Height of Land and Bald Mountain.

“The Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust is committed to conservation and the community in which they serve,” said Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsman’s Association Director Kirby Holcombe in his nomination application.

The Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust was founded in 1991 and has conserved more than 12,500 acres in 24 separate parcels including 15 islands, 35 miles of trails and more than 45 miles of shorefront. These lands are open to the public and provide a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, angling, hunting, wildlife watching, snowmobiling, kayaking and canoeing.