BRIDGTON — Loon Echo Land Trust has purchased 150 acres of forest and wetland on Perley Pond and the Northwest River in Sebago from Don Gilbert of Gilbert Homes.

Loon Echo was given one year to raise the funds necessary to purchase the land, and the goal was met allowing the closing to take place on June 17.

Loon Echo worked collaboratively with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to secure three grants from the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program, Portland Water District and Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.

The Portland Water District is interested in the project since the Northwest River is a major tributary to Sebago Lake, the drinking water supply for 200,000 residents in Southern Maine. In addition to protecting water resources, the land supports two species of rare damselflies and a pitch pine bog.

The public is welcome to hunt, fish and explore the property’s woods road network on foot. Perley Pond is a 24-acre undeveloped, shallow pond that supports a variety of warm water fish species.

The property includes the majority of the pond as well as 2,000 feet along the Northwest River. Small watercraft access to the pond is currently available via the existing launch area on Folly Road to the south of the property.

To learn more about the Perley Pond – Northwest River Project and Loon Echo Land Trust’s mission to conserve land and natural resources in the northern Sebago Lake region of Maine, call 647-4352 or visit www.loonecholandtrust.org.

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