Jugtown Plains Informational Meeting
Hosted by Otisfield Conservation Committee
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 – 7pm
Attendees – Pixie Williams, Lee Dassler, Scott Vlaun, Susan Feller, Bob Blake: OCC
Jacinthe Sirois: Friend of OCC; Nick Edwards: Hancock Land Co.
Nadia Hermos: Casco Conservation Committee; Eric Dibner: Casco Open Space Commission
Pixie opened the meeting and had Nick speak about Hancock’s plans for Jugtown Forest. Nick handed out brochures Hancock has printed containing information about the use of the land and a map of the trails through the property. Nick emphasized that rules set forth in the brochure for use of the land are intended to keep the public advised of good stewardship of Jugtown Forest. Hancock is promoting eco-tourism on its land and hopes those who visit for recreational pursuits will also serve to report any illegal activities they observe. Hancock wants the public to enjoy outdoor pursuits of hiking, observing the flora and fauna, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, fishing and hunting. ATVs, snowmobiles and bikes are allowed on the appropriate trails.
Lee asked if Hancock would be amenable to allowing organized running marathons on the trails, or cross country ski races, and Nick said she could check with Jeff Hall at Hancock about that. Bob suggested sled dog events, using sand sleds in the warm months, snow sleds in the winter.
Hancock is promoting the recreational opportunities of Jugtown through their stores, their Jugtown Forest website and the Children’s Museum of Maine. They have created parking areas with informational kiosks at two entrance locations, and plan to have the Grand Opening festivities in spring of 2012.
Pixie offered to write up a natural history of Jugtown Plains for the website. Lee suggested a history of the human habitation and use of the plains would also be interesting to include on the website, and to contact Jean Hankins of the Otisfield Historical Society for a map and write up of her historical research of the plains.
Pixie said that with the conserved land and adjacent parcels of Hancock owned land totaling 3,200 acres, Hancock has the opportunity to manage regions so they would represent the 3 successional stages of forest growth. Understory shrubs and herbaceous growth plus wildlife vary with each successional stage. She gave an example of Chimney Swifts, which under natural conditions require old growth trees for their nesting cavities. There are possibly some old growth forest remnants in the northern area of Jugtown.
Nick said Hancock wants to maintain a “3 level” stage of forest growth. Eric asked about a forestry management plan and which tree species are highlighted. Nick said White Pine is the key commercial species for harvesting at Jugtown. There have been areas that have been scarified to encourage the regeneration of Pitch Pine, but the White Tail deer population eats the Pitch Pine seedlings, limiting regeneration.
Pixie reviewed the biota list for sand plain ecosystems in Maine. Scott suggested that Hancock could have a biota list on their website. Nick said the website could provide a phone number for people to call to report species they see at Jugtown.
Scott also mentioned that Google Earth could be used to identify habitats that could be potential “hot spots” for various species of plants and animals. All agreed there are many educational opportunities that can be pursued within Jugtown Plains, and mutual cooperation between interested groups could produce significant results. The meeting adjourned at 9pm.
Susan Feller, Secretary OCC
TAFT 12.01.11
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