Royal River Conservation Trust Unveils New Wildlife Sanctuary in Gray

On April 19, 2022, the Royal River Conservation Trust (RRCT), a community-based non-profit land trust conserving land, farms, and water in Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, New Gloucester, Pownal, Durham, Auburn, and Gray, presented to the Gray Town Council the 150-acre Thayer Brook Preserve, the first major project by the RRCT in Gray. 

The Preserve abuts and connects to the existing Libby Hill Forest trail system and contains sections of Thayer Brook and a large 60-acre beaver flowage with exceptional bird & wildlife values. The Preserve also supports a short segment of a snowmobile and ATV trail, as well as trails connected to Libby Hill Forest. New trails for hiking and biking are planned.

Acquired in March 2022, the Preserve does not yet have fully developed trails, signage, and new trail-head parking is planned on Ramsdell Road. Explore as-it-is, or check the Royal River Conservation Trust's website for more information after planned summer 2022 work.

"Thanks to the leadership of so many people, my hope is that the new Thayer Brook Preserve is the first of many projects by RRCT, alongside the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Maine Farmland Trust, the town, and others who are committed to conserving more of Gray's remaining farms, forests, and key recreational trails," said Councilor Anne Gass, a key leader in the town's recent open space planning process. 

You can view the Trust's presentation to the Town Council here. You can find the RRCT on Facebook.