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Kittery, Maine – Edward “Ted” Green’s family has owned a magnificent property on Gerrish Island for more than a century. In honor of his family’s long commitment to land conservation and the Maine coast, Ted Green sold the seaside estate to the Kittery Land Trust (KLT) in a deeply discounted bargain sale.
After a complex transaction more than five years in the making, KLT placed a conservation easement on 17 of the property’s 22 acres—permanently protecting its woodlands, wetlands, and much of its shoreline from development. With the easement in place, KLT listed the property for sale with Williams Realty Partners of Keller Williams Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty in York, and it quickly found a buyer. The sale closed in September for a record $5.5 million.
In accordance with Ted Green’s wishes, proceeds will establish a permanent endowment for the Kittery Land Trust. The Edward Crocker Green Endowment is projected to generate approximately $160,000 annually, providing long-term stability and support for KLT’s operations and mission.
“This remarkably generous gift is nothing short of transformational for KLT,” said Lisa Linehan, Executive Director of the Kittery Land Trust. “The Edward Crocker Green Endowment will offer lasting stability as we continue to grow and take on increasingly ambitious projects that serve our community in so many ways.”
Ted spent much of his youth overseas as his father was a US diplomat, but spent his summers in Kittery Point at the home owned by his grandparents, Edward “Ned” and Lispenard Crocker. He developed his deep love of the Maine coast as a child and continued to visit throughout his life.
Now in his 80s, Ted Green built a distinguished career as a pioneering medical anthropologist. Over more than four decades, he worked in international development, conducted groundbreaking research on HIV/AIDS, authored numerous books on applied medical anthropology, and held academic positions at Boston University, George Washington University, and Harvard University. Though his work took him around the world—to Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe—he continued to return to Kittery Point nearly every summer.
“The property, which my grandmother named Bayberry Rocks, has been in my family since 1922,” said Ted Green. “Both my parents and grandparents wanted this land preserved in its natural form. I know they would be thrilled to see it permanently conserved by the Kittery Land Trust.”
The property’s new owner is equally committed to stewardship. In a written statement, the owner shared, “My vision is to restore the home sensitively—preserving its character while ensuring it remains a gathering place for generations. The conservation easement is, to me, a gift: it guarantees that the land and its privacy will endure while allowing thoughtful enhancement of the existing home.”
While the conservation easement does not allow public access, it ensures the preservation of the island’s natural habitat and scenic character for generations to come. The Kittery Land Trust will hold the easement and monitor the property annually.
“We are blessed beyond measure to have people like Ted in our midst,” said Linehan. “His generosity, his commitment to conservation, and his love of the Maine coast are truly inspiring. The Edward Crocker Green Endowment is a gift not just to KLT, but to the entire community.”