York River Stewardship Committee awards $42K in grants for local watershed projects

YORK — The York River Stewardship Committee recently awarded $42,000 through its newly created York River Watershed Grants Program to support five local projects.

Joan LeBlanc, chair of the York River Stewardship Committee, said the five projects will help implement the York River Watershed Stewardship Plan. The plan identifies actions to protect, promote and enhance water quality and river resources throughout the York River watershed. Funding for the grants program is provided by the National Park Service Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers Program.

“This is what we envisioned when we worked to achieve wild and scenic designation for York River,” said LeBlanc. “These new community-based grants will protect water quality, conserve valuable natural resources, and promote safe and enjoyable public access to the York River – all key priorities for the watershed.”

LeBlanc said the organizations and their projects being funded are diverse and involve land protection, public access, recreation, outreach and education activities with project goals of resource preservation, connecting people to the river, and fostering sustainable approaches.

The Stewardship Committee is backing York Parks and Recreation’s new kayak tour series on the York River and supporting the York Land Trust’s acquisition of three conservation-rich parcels donated by the town of York, which will add 42 acres to the McIntire Highlands Preserve.

They are also supporting York’s River Access Ad Hoc Committee in its feasibility study to explore options and design a new public dock for paddle craft at Goodrich Park. Additionally, they are aiding the town of Kittery and Save Kittery Waters in implementing the CreekSmart program, which encourages residents to take actions to protect water resources.

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The last grant was awarded to the York Conservation Commission for its outreach efforts aimed at reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

“Long-term protection of our rivers and watershed lands requires these types of partnership approaches, and our communities are fortunate to have so many organizations and committees focused on this important work,” said LeBlanc.

The projects are just getting started, and most will be completed within the year. Grant awards from the Stewardship Committee range from $6,000 to $10,000, and the organizations leading the projects are co-funding project activities or have secured additional funds from other sources.

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The Stewardship Committee anticipates running its York River Watershed Grants Program annually, with applications due mid-winter. Information about wild and scenic river designation and the grants program is available on the committee’s website at www.YorkRiverMaine.org.

The 2024 grant recipients and projects are:

York Parks and Recreation Department - York River Kayak Tour Series ($6,000)

York Parks and Recreation will purchase kayaks and develop a kayak tour series along the York River to enhance and encourage river recreation opportunities and provide information about river resources and ecology to tour participants. A number of free tours will be offered by Parks and Recreation for several years to connect residents to the river.

York Land Trust - Expansion of McIntire Highlands Preserve ($10,000)

York Land Trust will complete boundary surveys, title research, and other land acquisition-related activities before acquiring three parcels from the town of York. The parcels are in the York River watershed and will expand York Land Trust's existing McIntire Highlands Preserve by 42 acres. The group's ownership and stewardship of the parcels will help sustain this large unfragmented forest area, preserve important wildlife habitat, enable long-term public recreation on existing hiking trails, and protect the water quality of Boulter Pond, one of Kittery Water District’s water supply sources.

Town of York River Access Ad Hoc Committee - Feasibility study and designs for a Paddle Craft Dock at Goodrich Park ($10,000)

As part of its ongoing feasibility study, the River Access Ad Hoc Committee will hire a consultant to evaluate options and recommend designs for a public access paddle craft dock at Goodrich Park along the York River. Designs will incorporate accessibility considerations and sustainability features such as low-impact materials, erosion control measures, and sea level rise projections. The York Harbor Board is also providing funding support for the design phase.

Town of Kittery & Save Kittery Waters - CreekSmart Campaign ($10,000)

The town of Kittery and the citizen’s group Save Kittery Waters will hire a part-time coordinator to continue the implementation of its CreekSmart program to encourage practices that protect water resources. The program promotes S-M-A-R-T actions: S-say “no thanks” to lawn fertilizers; M-mow high; A-avoid toxic pesticides; R-restore vegetative buffers near waterways; and T-take care of your septic system.

York Conservation Commission - Pesticide and fertilizer education ($6,000)

As part of a multi-media education approach, the Conservation Commission will develop and mail a brochure to residents to encourage practices that minimize misuse and decrease the overall use of pesticides and fertilizers in yard care. The goal is to reduce risks to people, pets, and wildlife and minimize negative impacts on water quality throughout the town.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York River Stewardship Committee awards $42K in grants