Long Pond

Mount Vernon, Maine

This property consists of 469 acres with 2.46 linear miles of shoreline on the western shoreline and southern outlet of Long Pond at the confluence of Ingham Stream and Belgrade Stream. The two stream systems and their riparian forested and shrub wetlands make up the majority of the property providing significant inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat (WWH). A large forest hill with 400 feet of elevation forms the basis for the uplands and provides a scenic overlook across the entire site.

The property is primarily undeveloped with several gravel roads from past forestry operations. The freshwater wetlands include large riparian wetlands, stream floodplains, beaver bogs, five significant vernal pools and isolated forested wetlands. The property contains a wealth of natural resources, including habitat for ribbon snakes, and excellent views of the surrounding landscapes. Long Pond extends north of the site into larger lakes of the Belgrade Lakes Region and Belgrade Stream flows east into Messalonskee Stream.

Additionally, there is protected open space within the vicinity of the Long Pond property, including Maine Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife’s Long Pond Conservation Land, Maine Department of Conservation’s Long Pond Conservation Lands, George Buckman Wildlife Management Area, Gawler Wildlife Management Area and the Kennebec Highlands Conservation Lands. Proximity to these open spaces or conservation areas generally enhances the functionality of the area within the context of local and regional conservation planning and the natural resource value of the Long Pond property.

The property is protected from development by a conservation easement and was transferred to the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance in March 2011 with a $25,000 stewardship grant to provide management and up keep of the property.

Natural Resource Summary

Transfer Value	$236,000
Total Site Area	469 acres
Wetland Area	222 acres
Significant Vernal Pools	5 pools
Sig. Vernal Pool Critical Terrestrial Habitat	162 acres
Non-Significant Vernal Pools	14 pools
Shoreline Length	13,000 linear feet
Stream Length	4,804 linear feet
Inland Waterfowl and Wading Bird Habitat	236 acres
Rare, Threatened, Endangered Species	Ribbon Snake