We are very pleased to announce the formation of the Arundel Conservation Trust (“ACT”), the culmination of years of effort by a committed group of Arundel residents who are dedicated to saving the unique rural character of Arundel through conserving & protecting its land and properties. Growth & development in the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel area is strong and is likely to remain so in the fu
ture. While there are still large tracts of land in Arundel that are appropriate for conservation, time is running out. The pace of real estate development activity is quickening and the window to balance conservation with responsible residential & commercial development will soon close. Rather than trying to “reinvent the wheel” and because time is so crucial, we elected to become, and have been accepted as, a Chapter of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust (“KCT”), a well-known and very successful non-profit conservation organization with over 40 years’ experience in preserving land and natural resources for the benefit of all. Our relationship with KCT as a Chapter will allow us to function as an Arundel-focused organization while still being able to receive the benefit of KCT’s charitable organization tax status and their great expertise & experience. Gifts to ACT of money & property are eligible to be tax-deductible by the donor and will be utilized solely for Arundel projects & expenses. The vision of the Arundel Conservation Trust is to create a stronger, more vibrant community that honors our heritage through the conservation of Arundel’s unique natural, recreational, and scenic resources for the enjoyment of all, for generations to come. The Arundel Conservation Trust’s mission is to:
• Foster conservation in Arundel by nurturing partnerships with town government, community groups & other conservation programs so as to balance the demands of economic growth, wildlife habitat and people’s enjoyment of the outdoors.
• Promote education about, and provide access to, the natural world for the residents of Arundel and our neighboring communities.
• Enlist the support of volunteers to create & maintain stewardship of our properties.
• Identify & finance our ability to acquire & conserve properties in Arundel
We are building an active membership of people and organizations who share similar beliefs and will support ACT with their time, talents and contributions of property & resources. Our initial conservation effort will be focused on land adjacent to the site of the proposed new Arundel Town Hall on Limerick Road. Our goal is that in conserving this beautiful 30+ acre site, close to both the Eastern Trail & the Kennebunk River, we can give Arundel with a much needed “sense and place of community”. We plan on building & maintaining a network of walking & biking trails and with creative input from the community, look at other possible features for conservation, education and recreation. We will also utilize our proximity to the new Town Hall facilities to help with parking, lighting and other common needs.
