Fundraising Drive for Fuller Farm (ME) Gains Momentum

Scarborough, Maine: The campaign to protect the Fuller Farm and Blue Rock properties in Scarborough from development passed an important milestone today, with the announcement that $365,000—one-half of the funds needed to complete the project—have now been raised.

This past April, the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust (SLCT) and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) launched a campaign to raise $730,000 by March of 2001 to purchase and permanently protect 150-acre Fuller Farm on Broadturn Road and an adjacent 30-acre parcel known as the Blue Rock property.

Laurene Swaney, president of the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust, stated, “We are incredibly pleased with the strong show of support for the Fuller Farm Conservation Project. In addition to the Town of Scarborough’s appropriation for the project, we have received approximately $150,000 in private donations from over 250 people. A number of private foundations, including the Fields Pond Foundation, William P. Wharton Foundation, Norcross Wildlife Foundation, and Davis Conservation Foundation have also supported the project. A recent gift of $500 from the Scarborough Garden Club has put the campaign over the halfway mark. This effort is the largest project undertaken in the land trust’s 23-year history. If we are successful, we will have protected a great area for Scarborough residents and visitors. We have a long way to go but are hopeful that we will reach our goal.”

“With over $365,000 raised to date, the coalition working to save the Fuller Farm and Blue Rock properties has passed an important milestone. These pledges provide the local matching funds needed to apply for potential state grant funds,” said Jeremy Wintersteen, field representative for the Trust for Public Land. “The land trust has recently applied for $250,000 in state funding from the Land for Maine’s Future Program. In addition to this, we are continuing to raise private funds, with the ultimate goal of having all commitments in place by March 31, 2001.”

According to Sue Foley-Ferguson, Scarborough Town Councilor, “The Fuller Farm Conservation Project has touched a chord with Scarborough residents, which is a testament to the value that residents place upon Scarborough’s natural resources, community character, and quality of life. This message came through loud and clear on Election Day, as well, when local voters passed a $1.5 million general obligation bond for parks and conservation land by a margin of 3 to 1.”

“The Garden Club has always supported the land trust. Giving to SLCT’s Fuller Farm project was seen as the best way for our contribution to have the greatest impact and at the same, benefit the community too. We hope it encourages others to do the same,” remarked Barbara Pierson, President of the Scarborough Garden Club.

Located in western Scarborough, the scenic 150-acre Fuller Farm on Broadturn Road includes 3,500 feet of frontage along the Nonesuch River, Scarborough’s largest river. The property—along with the adjacent 30-acre Blue Rock property—is an important local priority to protect for its wildlife habitat, contribution to water quality, and public access to the river. In addition, Fuller Farm lies adjacent to several other conservation properties owned by SLCT and the Saco Valley Land Trust, as well as municipal land owned by the Town of Scarborough. SLCT plans to manage Fuller Farm for conservation, public access, and wildlife habitat and intends to keep the hay fields in agricultural production.

Donations to the Fuller Farm Conservation Project are tax-deductible and can be sent to the Scarborough Land Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 1237, Scarborough, ME 04070. For more information, contact Jeremy Wintersteen at (207) 772-7424 x3.

The Scarborough Land Conservation Trust is a nonprofit land trust with a mission of conserving important lands in Scarborough. To date, SLCT has protected 12 properties totaling 524 acres and manages approximately 4 miles of the Old Eastern Trail. For more information, please call Laurene Swaney at (207) 883-4909 or visit www.scarboroughmaine.com.

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting land for people to enjoy as parks and open space. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 1 million acres nationwide, including more than 30,000 acres in Maine. For more information, please call TPL’s Portland office at (207) 772-7424 or visit