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PHOTO: The newly acquired Perham Stream Birding Trail parcel in Madrid Township. (Taylor Walker photo)
FARMINGTON — High Peaks Alliance recently closed on an 80-acre parcel in Madrid Township, the Perham Stream Birding Trail.
The land, which includes half a mile of frontage on Perham Stream and views of Saddleback Mountain and Mount Abram, is the first property held in conservation by the alliance.
The Perham Stream Birding Trail is an increasingly popular nature trail that runs through a variety of habitats with incredible views. The trail, which is listed on Maine Trail Finder, had a 60 percent increase in views from 2020 to 2021. The trail is also listed on Maine by Foot. High Peaks Alliance plans to install an accessible trail to allow individuals of any ability level to enjoy the property.
In addition to recreational opportunities, this parcel includes a half-mile of stream frontage where endangered Atlantic salmon eggs are stocked by the state. Perham Stream is listed as critical salmon and native brook trout habitat by the Maine Natural Areas Program, and endangered little brown bats have been located on the parcel by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Lloyd Griscom, HPA board president, said the alliance is grateful to Carson Hinkley “for his desire to preserve the tradition of stewardship his family has championed for five generations with this land.”
He said that Hinkley could have sold the parcel for top dollar, “But he instead prioritized his family’s legacy, the local environment and public access.”
Funding for the project came from the Arboretum Fund at the Maine Community Foundation, Davis Conservation Fund, Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Wildeast Action Fund, Kay Gibson, The Wilderness Society with special thanks to Pete McKinley and HPA board members Lloyd Griscom and Ginni Robie.
Brent West, HPA executive director, said, “Franklin County is an area with incredible wildlife resources and recreational potential, but most of the area is not currently served by a local land trust. The High Peaks Alliance has worked to conserve land and preserve all forms of recreational access in the high peaks region since 2007, and with this property, the organization is evolving to meet the unfulfilled regional need. This property is just the beginning of what we can accomplish by uniting those people who care about our future together to serve the local area’s conservation needs.”
For more information, visit highpeaksalliance.org.
