Wabassus Lake Project Receives $640,000 North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant Grand Lake Stream, ME – September 12, 2008: The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, comprised of members of Congress and federal cabinet secretaries and supported by staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on Tuesday approved a wetland conservation proposal from the Downeast Lakes Land Trust for funding under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The Commission approved a total of 27 grants at Tuesday’s meeting, including two others in Maine. The Downeast Lakes Land Trust will apply its $640,000 NAWCA grant toward the purchase of the Wabassus Lake Tract, a 6,644-acre parcel of forest in interior Washington County, Maine. The project will provide permanent protection for valuable habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife, including 550 acres of wetlands, almost nine miles of undeveloped lakeshore that completes protection of three lakes, six miles of streams in the Machias and St. Croix River watersheds, and vital upland buffers for all of these habitats. These acres benefit birds of national conservation concern such as the American Black Duck, American Woodcock, and Canada Warbler. The Downeast Lakes Land Trust is a nonprofit organization contributing to the long-term economic and environmental well-being of the Downeast Lakes region through the conservation and exemplary management of its forests and waters. DLLT owns and manages the 27,080-acre Farm Cove Community Forest for wildlife habitat, forest products, and public recreation. As a member of the Downeast Lakes Forestry Partnership, DLLT has helped protect another 312,000 acres of timberland through conservation and public access easements.
Posted on Friday, September 12, 2008 (Archive on Tuesday, October 07, 2008) Posted by Bill Bayreuther  Contributed by
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