DENMARK — Loon Echo Land Trust of Bridgton held its 27th annual meeting on Aug. 24 at Camp Wyonegonic. Approximately 75 members attended.

Board president Karen Eller introduced two new candidates for the Loon Echo board of directors: David Diller, a long-time Bridgton resident and retired pharmacist, and Kevin Wall, a part-time Harrison resident and owner of a real estate practice focused on low-income and historic tax credit financed properties in Marblehead, Mass.

Diller and Wall were voted in by the members present for a three-year term each. Continuing directors voted in for an additional three-year term include Eric Dibner of Casco and Mike McSally of Bridgton and Greenland, N.H.

Executive Director Carrie Walia gave an organizational update showing how Loon Echo is nearing its strategic goal of protecting 8,000 acres by the year 2017. With the current lands protected and lands under contract for purchase, a total of 6,500 acres of high quality conservation land soon will be benefiting the regional community in a variety of ways from having safe, family-friendly recreational areas to safeguarding water quality.

The projects currently underway include the 1,600-acre Perley Mills Community Forest in Bridgton, Denmark and Sebago; 150-acre Perley Pond and Northwest River in Sebago; 28-acre Tenny River Corridor Project in Raymond; 370-acre Crooked River Forest in Harrison; and 350-acre Raymond Community Forest in Raymond.

All of these projects conserve undeveloped shoreline and large forests that drain into area ponds and ultimately Sebago Lake, the drinking water source for 200,000 Maine residents.

Nearly 10 additional miles of multi-use trails will soon be made available to the public through these land protection projects. Also public access to several ponds and rivers in the region will be guaranteed through these projects, all of which are being implemented in collaboration with other organizations and municipalities.

Loon Echo Land Trust protects nearly 6,000 acres of land and manages 25 miles of multi-use trails in the northern Sebago Lake region. Its mission is to conserve the region’s natural resources and character for current and future generations. To learn more about Loon Echo land protection projects, programs or events, visit www.loonecholandtrust.org or call 207-647-4352.

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