Chandlers Complete Monumental Land Donation

On an unusually warm and sunny February afternoon Steve Chandler, his wife Natalie, and his cousin Charlie completed what has been a tremendous act of generosity – the transferring of over 2000 acres of woodland in New Gloucester to Maine Woodland Owners. This is by far the largest gift we have received and has set the stage for exciting growth for our land trust program.

This journey started in 2017 when Bill Williams, Maine Woodland Owners Deputy Executive Director at the time, visited the Chandlers after they inquired about their conservation options for their family land. “This was not an easy conversation initially.” said Williams. Steve and Natalie were actively managing the family forest – especially since Steve’s retirement as a forester with the U.S. Forest Service. However, Charlie and his sister, Bertha, who were equal partners with Steve and Natalie, were keen to transfer their family’s legacy once their children indicated that they were not interested or able to carry on the management and responsibilities. Williams spent time with the four to discuss all of the options available to ensure their land would be protected from development. It was never assumed that Maine Woodland Owners would be the recipient of the donation. Instead, the organization’s role was to provide sound, expert advice so they could make a decision that was right for them.

In January 2018 it was announced that Maine Woodland Owners would indeed be receiving the land donation. By August of that year, the first parcel, 144 acres, was donated followed by another totaling 133 acres a few months later. The majority of the gift, 18 parcels totaling just over a 1000 acres, was donated in 2019. The final three parcels was the largest transfer – totaling 675 acres. Bill Williams and Harold Burnett, Land Trust Forester, attended the deed signing, signaling the end of what was an emotional process working with a family to protect their legacy. Also in attendance were members of the Maine Woodland Owners Board of Directors.

In a brief speech during the gathering, Executive Director Tom Doak thanked the Chandlers for entrusting Maine Woodland The Chandlers sign over the the final 675 acres of their family’s New Gloucester woodland to Maine Woodland Owners. generosity will define who we are for decades to come.” said Doak.

Maine Woodland Owners is now the largest landowner in New Gloucester. And because of the size of the holding, timber harvesting will be conducted every year. Additionally, plans are in the works to hold a public tour of a section of the Chandler Brothers woodlots in the summer. Most importantly, this acquisition supports the community. These lands are permanently conserved (the organization will still pay property taxes), ensuring that these beautiful acres will stay forested, well-managed, and open to the public indefinitely. More information about the family, the history of the land, and this donation can be found in past editions of Maine Woodlands on Maine Woodland Owners website at www.mainewoodlandowners.org/links-apps under “Past Newsletters.

LISTEN: Tom Doak discuss the donation on Maine Public

READ: Bangor Daily News covers this story

Jennifer Hicks