Deer Isle is a spectacular island community of 24,000 acres and 112 miles of shoreline, comprising the towns of Deer Isle and Stonington and outlying islands.

The Island Heritage Trust is a non-profit private land trust dedicated to conservation that protects significant open space, scenic areas, wildlife habitats, natural resources, and historic and cultural features that offer public benefit and are essential to the character of the Deer Isle area.
 


For 25 years Island Heritage Trust has been celebrating our natural heritage.



Wings, Waves & Woods ~ Looking ahead to the Spring? Wings, Waves & Woods is Deer Isle's celebration of the Spring Bird Migration. Falling on the weekend before Memorial Day, in 2012 this is May 18-20, this is an exciting weekend of birding events with an addition of art related activities. The 2012 Wings, Waves and Woods schedule is available to view and download. Wings, Waves & Woods is on Facebook. View the 2011 Wings, Waves and Woods bird list.

Wings, Waves & Woods 2012
 

Pine Hill Preserve
Photo courtesy of Dr. Nishanta Rajakaruna


Mark Island Light by Marnie Reed Crowell ~ IHT is republishing this very readable and enjoyable history of the Deer Island Thorofare Light in order to raise funds for the ongoing maintenance of the 1857 lighthouse.

Both Mark Island and its lighthouse belong to IHT. While the Coast Guard maintains the light and foghorn, IHT must maintain the building.

You can help by buying this book or contributing directly to:

Mark Island Light Fund at IHT
PO Box 42
Deer Isle, ME 04627

Price: $12.50 plus $4.95 shipping (Maine residents add $0.63 sales tax)
 
Mark Island Light
 


Fans of Deer Isle's eagles will want to keep an eye on local reports and Maine's eagle cam.


River Helmsman Eagle

Check the Biodiversity Research Institute's live eagle cam "somewhere on the coast of Maine" at www.briloon.org.





Island Heritage Trust

420 Sunset Road ~ Deer Isle, Maine
Mail: P.O. Box 42 / Deer Isle, ME 04627
Phone: 207-348-2455
FAX: 207-348-2455
E-mail: iht@islandheritagetrust.org

 

Endowing An Acre Yields Benefits Forever

As a non-profit, Island Heritage Trust depends on membership, donations and grants to fund programs, and volunteer time and expertise to keep them running. Whether it's dollars or dimes or simply time, all help is appreciated and put to good use. One way some supporters, such as Monie Lonergan, have chosen to contribute is to "endow an acre." From her perspective Deer Isle is a "marvelous island" and IHT is doing important work "to keep the land in its natural state." She first came to Deer Isle with her family in 1984, and has been coming to stay "from Memorial Day to hunting season" most years ever since.

For her, the Endow an Acre Program is appealing because it will, over time, create an endowment, the interest from which can fund ongoing stewardship activities: signage, survey and legal work, trail maintenance, insurance, and staff time.

A long-term effort, the Stewardship Fund ensures proper oversight and maintenance of IHT's holdings. Moreover, as a responsible member of the community, IHT makes an annual payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), to the towns of Stonington and Deer Isle, at a rate slightly above the tax rate for land under forest management. One goal of the Endow an Acre Program is to ensure that resources continue to be available for the "payment in lieu of taxes." The stronger its roots in the community, the better IHT can serve the Island and its residents, be they year round or, like Mrs. Lonergan, part-time.

Ultimately, as the Stewardship Fund grows, then monies raised through other IHT activities such as its annual campaign can be used to expand programs for schools and for residents, as well as visitors to the Island. As Mike Little points out, a healthy endowment ensuring proper stewardship is a win/win for everyone. And from Monie Lonergan's point of view, the $435 it costs to "endow an acre" is money well spent, a contribution that will continue to benefit the Island for generations to come.


 

Events Calendar
A list of upcoming events sponsored by the Island Heritage Trust and
Stonington & Deer Isle Conservation Commissions.

 


Visit Our Lands & Trails
There are several nature preserves on Deer Isle, which provide unique field experiences for teachers and their students. These Preserves have been given by private donors to Conservation organizations to provide the opportunity for the public to enjoy the natural resources and scenic beauty of these areas.

 

View the Island in real time:
Stonington Webcam - A view of Stonington Harbor from the Island Ad-Vantages office




Wildlife Sighting Reports: Read our local Wildlife Sighting Reports and add your own!


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