The Kennebec Highlands

In 1998 the BRCA initiated a project to protect the Kennebec Highlands in Rome, Mount Vernon, Vienna, and New Sharon. Within 20 miles of Augusta, Waterville, and Farmington in central Maine, the Kennebec Highlands' 5,600 acres contain the highest peaks in Kennebec County, miles of pristine streams, several wetlands, and five undeveloped ponds. The area is home to moose, deer, bear, waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife and is blanketed with hardwood and mixed-wood forests, blueberry barrens, and marshes. State wildlife officials have identified six deer wintering areas and five wetland habitats of critical importance to waterfowl and other wildlife. Miles of trails in the highlands provide access for hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, and fishing and a host of other outdoor pursuits. Currently the project is finishing raising $1 million in private funds. For more information, visit the Kennebec Higlands Web site at kennebechighlands.org.

Other Land Holdings

Since its foundation in 1988, BRCA has protected nearly 1,200 acres through land acquisition and conservation easements. Acreage totals 632 in Rome, including popular recreational spots like The Mountain, French Mountain, and Mount Phillip, 26 in Belgrade, 50 in Oakland, and 35 in Vienna.

Total land owned: 832 acres
Total land under conservation easements: 352 acres

Land Protected by Lake Watershed:

Watershed	Fee acres	Easement acres	Total
East Pond/Serpentine	0	5	5
Great Pond	328	38	366
Long Pond	266	26	292
McGrath Pond/Salmon Lake	49	0	49
Messalonskee Lake	1	0	1
North Pond	0	35	35
Other	188	248	436
Total	832	352	1184

Land Protected by Town:

Town	Fee acres	Easement acres	Total
Augusta	0	0	0
Belgrade	0	26	26
Manchester	0	0	0
Mercer	0	0	0
Mount Vernon	0	0	0
New Sharon	169	0	169
Norridgewock	0	244	244
Oakland	50	0	50
Readfield	0	0	0
Rome	594	38	632
Sidney	0	0	0
Smithfield	0	28	28
Vienna	19	16	35
Total	832	352	1184