Kennebec Land Trust plans to conserve Fayette’s Surry Hill

WINTHROP — The Kennebec Land Trust has announced it will buy and permanently conserve 330 acres in Fayette, including the top of 600-foot Surry Hill.
The extensive property features more than 250 acres of forest, streams flowing into local lakes and ponds, valuable wetlands and phenomenal scenic views. The new community conservation property will provide many recreational opportunities, including hiking, snowmobiling, hunting, mountain biking and nature observation.

The ambitious effort is also an inspiring and hopeful example of how land trusts and other conservation owners are making a big difference in the world, the trust said in a news release. Undeveloped land sequesters carbon – a natural climate solution.
KLT plans to maintain approximately 15 acres as open fields to preserve scenic views of the White Mountains and nearby hills, lakes and woodlands. The Surry Hill fields also offer blueberries for hikers and habitat for pollinators, ground-nesting birds and resident and migratory raptors.
Members and supporters, including one anonymous large donor and Camps Winnebago, Laurel and Vega, have already pledged or donated $188,680 (as of June 12). In order to complete this conservation project by the end of October, KLT needs to raise an additional $102,000 through private donations and grants.
There is no formal trail system on the property, but the trust plans several free events to welcome the public to the property. Walks are planned for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 11, and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Meet at the bus turnaround at the south end of Tom Surry Road in Fayette.
Call KLT, 207-377-2848, for more information or for directions, or visit www.tklt.org.

TOP PHOTO: View of Mount Washington from Surry Hill in Fayette. (Jane Davis photo)