Last year, our region was chosen by the Trust for Public Land to be a pilot for its Maine CommunityScape Initiative. We were fortunate that the Bangor City Council and City Manager Ed Barrett were wise enough to recognize that effective open space planning must be regional. Twelve contiguous towns joined this innovative project to preserve our region’s quality of place.

The recent meetings in Hampden and Old Town were thoughtful, visionary, and animated by a deep love of our landscapes. They included bikers, snowmobilers, hunters, bird-watchers, fishermen, hikers, cross-country skiers, foresters and people who support local farms and other working landscapes. The 100-plus participants spoke of their desire for economic development that won’t spoil our special places and land use patterns less dependent on cars and gasoline.

TPL staff told us attendance at these listening sessions was the highest per capita resident representation they had experienced anywhere nationwide. TPL staff also said our local news media had a better grasp of the importance of this work than their counterparts in any other community where TPL has worked – a true tribute to the high value our region places on our natural environment.

We live in challenging times. It gives me great hope to see our community actively involved, partnering with a wonderful national resource such as the TPL, generating creative solutions and seeking ways to preserve that which makes our region special.

Lucy G. Quimby

President Bangor Land Trust