Bald Mountain Pond, ME – at the northern edge of the Appalachian Trail.

If you've seen the pristine waters and lush terrain at Maine’s Bald Mountain Pond, you’d understand why National Park Trust has been working with The Trust for Public Land on the acquisition of an adjacent 1,527-acre parcel of old-growth woodland to benefit the National Park Service’s Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

The remoteness and scenic views make the property an iconic destination for backcountry adventures that combine paddling and hiking on the A.T. into a single day’s outing. Preserving this land from development also protects the nearby Bald Mountain Pond, which is one of the few bodies of water that holds landlocked arctic char in the lower 48 states. The federally-listed threatened Canada Lynx also roams nearby, along with moose, fisher and black bears. It is one of the largest 150-year-old forest blocks in central Maine.

Thanks to an extraordinary bequest from John Kauffmann to the Park Trust and the National Park Foundation and wind mitigation funds received by TPL, along with a generous gift from The Conservation Alliance, significant progress toward the $2.4 million cost of the project has been made. However, an additional $700,000 must be raised by December, when the option to buy expires. If not protected, the owner may begin logging or developing the property, which could affect the plant and wildlife communities, the viewshed from the A.T., and public access.

This is a time when the National Park Trust and the A.T. really need your help. Join the effort to protect this extraordinary piece of property by contacting Maryann Kearns, director of development, at [email protected] or call (301) 279-7275 ext 15.