STEWARDSHIP GUIDELINES FOR KITTERY LAND TRUST PROPERTIES

When the Kittery Land Trust accepts a property or easement, it commits to managing and watching over that property forever. Stewardship of Trust properties is carried out by the all-volunteer Stewardship Committee and involves periodically visiting each property to check on its condition, developing management plans for each property, posting signs, and working with owners and abutters to resolve problems. The Stewardship Committee meets once a month and welcomes new members.


All Kittery Land Trust properties have the following regulations for use:

• Camping and fires are prohibited.
  
• No litter: carry in/carry out.
  
• Dumping of refuse or yard waste is prohibited.
  
• Dogs are prohibited, except when on leash or under voice control.
  
• The construction of any structures, roads or new trails (except those undertaken by KLT) is prohibited.
  

At least once a year, the KLT Stewardship Committee visits each of the KLT properties to inspect them for any changes or violations. Monitoring walks are typically held once a month and are open to the public. (See Coming Events for upcoming walks.) Monitoring walks usually involve walking the perimeter of the property, visiting any important points on the property, noting any changes or violations, and speaking with owners, neighbors or abutters when possible. In the recent past, KLT monitoring walks have discovered the presence of invasive species, hemlock woolly adelgid infections, and minor easement or deed violations, such as construction material storage. Monitoring walks are also an opportunity to observe and enjoy the properties.


The Trust is proud to say that all its properties are open to the public for passive recreation, such as hiking, biking and bird watching. Almost all of our properties are also open to hunting (except for those posted for no hunting). Please note, however, that most of our properties do not have signs identifying them, many boundaries are unmarked, and most do not have trails or parking available. While we manage some of our properties, such as Seapoint, with public recreation as their primary purpose, most of our properties are managed primarily to preserve open space and habitat for plants, birds, and animals. While we are in the process of developing hiking and biking trails on some of our properties, and we may in the future provide some parking in some places, our primary purpose is to maintain our properties as undisturbed open space.


The Trust is in the process of developing policies that will prohibit or strictly limit the use of motorized vehicles-including ATVs, dirt bikes and snowmobiles-on its properties. We are aware that motorized vehicles have been traditionally been used on some of our properties, and we wish to accommodate these users, insofar as our stewardship goals allow. However, as many of our properties are managed with the primary purpose of providing habitat for non-human creatures, we wish to reduce the noise and erosion problems which typically accompany motorized vehicle use.

We are eager to hear from and meet with anyone who presently uses or rides motorized vehicles on KLT property, so we can discuss possible policies and regulations. Please contact the Stewardship Committee.


Almost all Trust properties are open to hunting. To some people, it seems contradictory that the Trust manages its property to provide habitat for animals, yet at the same time allows hunting on its property. However, hunting is a traditional use of Trust properties, and, for some of our properties, hunters are the most common users. The Trust has found that hunters, as a group, are some of the most ardent supporters of conservation land.

Easement holders may post their properties against hunting if they so desire. While the Trust does not prohibit hunting on any of its fee properties (other than specific sections, where posted), some properties are in locations that would make hunting illegal, depending on the weapon used. Hunters are requested to please use extreme caution when near adjacent dwellings.

KLT is in the process of developing a Hunting Subcommittee to advise the Trust on hunting related matters. If you would like to join this group, or would like to discuss the topic of hunting on KLT property, please contact the Stewardship Committee.



Click on the map below to view a larger map of properties that the Kittery Land Trust protects and manages.






If you see problems with the use of any property, please contact the Stewardship Committee (207-439-1717).