Land Protection Priority: Frenchman Bay Watershed

Goal: Protecting undeveloped shorelines along Frenchman Bay and preserving access to the marine shore for local harvesters who depend on it for their livelihoods.

Frenchman Bay is a beloved cultural, ecological, and local economic resource in Downeast Maine, bordered by Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula. The Bay faces a growing number of challenges, including decreasing shoreline access for harvesters and the threat of large-scale aquaculture projects.

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FBC has accomplished numerous projects in the watershed already, including both large-scale and small-scale endeavors. For example, at our Frenchman Bay Community Forest in Hancock, we conserved 1,900 acres of forest that ensures the protection of Bay tributaries. Along Hog Bay in Franklin, we protected shorelines with mudflat access for clammers and other traditional harvesters.

Left: Kilkenny Stream, Hancock Community Forest 

Continued land conservation in the watershed will:

  • Protect water quality in the Bay and region;
  • Conserve and restore shoreline wildlife habitat for tidal waterfowl and wading  birds; and
  • Secure public access & protect livelihoods.
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FBC Conserved Lands

Since 1987, FBC has conserved over 10,000 acres of land. Our land protection efforts focus on areas that are essential to maintaining the ecological, social, and economic health of our region, from the Union River and Frenchman Bay watersheds east to the Hancock County line.

Land trusts help local harvesters by protecting our watersheds and preserving public access. Harvesters aren’t looking for more access, but we need help protecting what we currently have.

- Joe Porada, Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Commission
Jordan River Aerial 3_Mike Perlman

News from the Frenchman Bay Watershed

A Voyage to a Little-Known Jewel of Frenchman Bay A Voyage to a Little-Known Jewel of Frenchman Bay Sorrento, ME– When one hears the name “Frenchman Bay Conservancy”, it is hard not to think of the body of water for which it’s named.... Read More
American Aquafarms' Proposal Terminated by DMR & DEP American Aquafarms’ Proposal Terminated by DMR & DEP Happy Earth Day! We cannot think of a more appropriate time to report the great news that earlier this week Maine regulators dealt a major... Read More
FBC and Conservation Partners Permanently Protect Additional Harvester Access in Sullivan and Gouldsboro FBC and Conservation Partners Permanently Protect Additional Harvester Access in Sullivan and Gouldsboro Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) closed on two properties in Hancock County, permanently protecting additional public access for local harvesters in Sullivan and Gouldsboro, in response... Read More
FBC Awarded $1 Million Grant towards Purchase of former Bar Harbor Golf Course in Trenton FBC Awarded $1 Million Grant towards Purchase of former Bar Harbor Golf Course in Trenton Frenchman Bay Conservancy was awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for the acquisition of 216 acres of coastal wetlands... Read More
FBC Raises Over $2 million for Tidal Falls Campaign Frenchman Bay Conservancy will host a groundbreaking on Monday, August 20th at 5:00pm This July, Frenchman Bay Conservancy surpassed $2 million in fundraising for its... Read More
Kilkenny Cove and the Old Pond Railway Trail: Maine's Past, Present, and Future in an Afternoon (Part 1) Kilkenny Cove and the Old Pond Railway Trail: Maine’s Past, Present, and Future in an Afternoon (Part 1) Downeast Maine is a land of illusions. The lights of foxfire in the dark, island mirages hovering above the waves, the disorienting embrace of sea... Read More
Kilkenny Cove and the Old Pond Railway Trail: Maine's Past, Present, and Future in an Afternoon (Part 2) Kilkenny Cove and the Old Pond Railway Trail: Maine’s Past, Present, and Future in an Afternoon (Part 2) Welcome back, folks, to the second part of this deep dive into Hancock’s Old Pond tidal salt marsh. The weather remains gray and rainy and... Read More
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Get to know us a bit better!

People are our greatest strength. FBC’s passionate staff, board members, and volunteers are working behind the scenes to develop and implement effective land protection, stewardship, and community engagement projects. Your support makes it possible for us to do our work, and we encourage you to reach out and say hello!

Meet the FBC Board & Staff

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