We have protected 1,769 acres, of which we hold 615 acres in fee and 1,154 acres in easements. Some properties, on which FCT holds conservation easements, are not accessible to the public. However through these easements we can all enjoy views of the undeveloped woods, fields and shorelines. The remaining fee and easement properties can be accessed by using our public trail system, which totals over 20 miles in trails. Through generous donations and tireless volunteers we continue to improve and build new trails for the public to enjoy.

Amanda Devine, Freeport Resident and Volunteer, led two invasive species workshops during 2022. June 4th was at Sayles Field. She discussed field identification and management strategies, including methods and timing.

Freeport Community Services (FCS) & Freeport Conservation Trust have teamed up to offer guided, gentle walks on local trails. These walks focus on trails that are easy to moderate. Guided walks have been an aspect of FCT for several years, however walks specifically held with FCS are a newer addition to FCT.

This meeting featured a presentation of writing and art from the book “A Dangerous New World”. This was followed by a discussion of how we can address climate change. Over FCT history, there have been various meetings to discuss books and the environment.

FCT celebrated our 40th anniversary at Tidebrook Preserve in late September of 2017. There was local food and beer, live music, lawn games, trail walks, cider pressing, an art show, and a silent auction.

The annual Trail Challenge has been a tradition for the past several years, beginning in 2015. Each year FCT picks four Freeport trails and challenges you to walk each of the four trails over a two month time period. There are stamps at each location for people to stamp their passport.

Until June 2007, FCT was an all-volunteer organization. Since then we have opened a one-room office at the Freeport Community Center and now employ a full-time Executive Director and a part-time Stewardship Coordinator. Those changes have allowed us to invite more public use of properties we protect and to expand outreach to the community. A generous grant from L.L. Bean, matched by our Business Partners and contributions from hundreds of regular members, supports FCT’s increased presence. Together, we are conserving the places you love!

FCT was initially founded in 1977. In 1979 FCT purchased its first property, Talbot Farm, as pictured above. A year later, in 1980, the Internal Revenue Service granted FCT 501(c)(3) status.