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
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News from the Frenchman Bay Watershed

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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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