We’re excited to announce the conservation of 192 acres of undeveloped forestland in Bridgton. The property was donated to LELT by the Lebovitz family, and will be called the Clara and Samuel Lebovitz Forest Preserve.

The conservation of the land protects a half-mile of shoreline on the northern end of Otter Pond, a mile of tributary streams, and over 70 acres of wetlands. The forested property also hosts significant habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, the endangered Blanding’s turtle, and several rare species of damselflies.

“We are pleased to be able to continue our decades-long partnership with LELT by creating the Clara & Samuel Lebovitz Forest Preserve. We know the land will be stewarded in the manner Clara & Sam always wanted it to be, and preserved for future generations to enjoy.”-  Peter Lebovitz, grandson of Clara and Samuel Lebovitz

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Public Access Secured

The property had long been open for public access. Under LELT’s ownership, public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other recreational activities will remain in place.

There are no formal trails on the property, but LELT welcomes walkers, snowshoers, anglers, and hunters to enjoy the forest with access from Kansas Road. A club-maintained snowmobile trail also provides access along the property’s western boundary.

“We’re grateful to the Lebovitz Family for working with LELT to keep their property forested and open to the public forever. Our work to protect Lake Region forests, ponds, and public access to the outdoors depends on the generosity of landowners like the Lebovitz family.” - Sheila Bourque, LELT Board President

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Benefits for Water Quality

Located in an area of increasing development pressure, Lebovitz Forest is an important addition to the region’s network of conserved lands. The 192-acre property is located entirely within the Sebago Lake watershed, and plays an important role in safeguarding the water quality of Sebago Lake, which is the source of drinking water for over 200,000 Mainers and many Cumberland County businesses on a daily basis. Sebago Lake is so clean, thanks in large part to its forested watershed, that it is one of only 50 surface water supplies (out of over 13,000) in the country that is not required to be filtered.

Lebovitz Forest was identified by the conservation partnership Sebago Clean Waters (SCW) as a high priority for protection. SCW is a coalition of ten nonprofit partners, including LELT, working with the Portland Water District to accelerate the pace of land conservation in the Sebago Lake watershed in order to protect water quality, community well-being, a vibrant economy, and fish and wildlife habitat. 

“This forestland is a vital community resource, not only for the recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat it provides, but also for its important role in keeping Greater Portland’s water supply clean. Working with LELT to conserve this property furthers our mission of protecting the watershed and building collaborative capacity across the region.” - Karen Young, SCW Partnership Director

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Future Plans

LELT will pay property taxes for the land at at the Open Space Current Use Rate, which will result in a tax revenue increase over the current Tree Growth rate for the Town of Bridgton. We are in the process of developing a forest and recreation management plan for the property that will outline forest management goals to promote carbon sequestration and biodiversity, maintain water quality protections, and consider future recreation opportunities.

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Additional Information

The land is within the traditional and unceded territory of the Abenaki, a member tribe of the Wabanaki Confederacy. The Abenaki First Nations of Odanak and Wôlinak maintain reservations along the St. Francis and St. Lawrence Rivers in the Canadian province of Quebec, where they sought refuge following colonial warfare in the Saco, Presumpscot, and Androscoggin River watersheds during the 17th and 18th centuries.  

More information about Lebovitz Forest can be found here: lelt.org/lebovitz-forest

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