Publication: Coastal Journal (August 16th, 2007)
Author: Robert Fernald

This September, anglers will have an opportunity to participate in the 17 Rivers Striper Tournament a catch & release, saltwater fishing tournament being held across the mid-coast region of Maine. This tournament will utilize a photo format for judging fish entries and illustrating scenic-nature pictures. The supporting website http://www.mainestriperseptember.com/ will allow interested persons the opportunity to view photo submissions in a e-slideshow presentation and track tournament standings.

Many anglers are outdoor enthusiasts. For them, fishing is only part of the experience they value. What is of value is often difficult to define and highly personal, but leaves a lasting impression. Images of fishing, scenic settings, wildlife and the peace and tranquility often experienced while on the water, are at the core of what is valuable. So, tournament participants will be challenged to catch the winning fish and capture in pictures those images which reflect the importance of nature in our lives.

Society derives a certain value from communing with nature too. Nature provides us with the opportunity to reflect and to find a place of quiet in our lives. Access to places where we can enjoy the beauty of Maine is of great importance. It offers perspective and the opportunity for quiet contemplation, activities that help revitalize the soul. So, preserving both nature and the nature of Maine is important.

Many differing organizations, both public and private, are working to preserve land and protect  resources for future generations.

The State of Maine’s Bureau of Parks & Lands manage many large tracks of land providing public access to some of the finest sites in Maine. Places like Reid State Park and Popham Beach offer significant recreational opportunity in the mid-coast region. They represent sun, fun, sand, surf, fishing, walking and bird watching, all activities which families and individuals alike value.

Numerous local municipalities in Maine have taken a lead in preserving valuable parcels of land for local use. These acquisitions represent investments in the future. All along the mid-coast region we find examples of such acquisitions creating open space, protecting ponds, preserving farm lands and providing access to shore land and tidal waters. Many communities are also developing parks and trail systems on these lands for their citizens. In Phippsburg we can cite the example of  the Towns acquisition of Totman Cove Preserve, a beautiful tidal sand beach and a wonderful resource where kids and families can play and swim.

In the private sector, many regional and local non-profits are pursuing similar land acquisition. The resources they pursue represent a finite possibility. In twenty or fifty years, the communities we live in will likely have changed radically. Population densities are projected to increase significantly and demographic trends indicate growth in areas along the East coast and surrounding bodies of water. Consequently non-profits are working hard to preserve valuable resources as quickly as possible. Successes include preservation of islands, large blocks of land and critical wildlife habitat. The Marsh River is a great example of success. “In partnership with the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, the State of Maine, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, and the Damariscotta River Association, Maine Coast Heritage Trust has helped protect more than 1,100 acres and 11 miles of shoreline within the watershed”.

In aggregate, such activities speak to the value we place on these wild places and the recreational resource opportunities they represent. Preserving such lands and waters has a trickle down effect that protects and sustains a vibrant and healthy ecosystem in which wildlife thrives. And it’s such experiences which bring man into contact with nature that sustain us as individuals.