What We Do

Half-way between Bangor and Ellsworth, Big Hill and Second Pond comprise a surprisingly remote and stunningly beautiful forested area in the middle of an expanding residential and commercial corridor along Route 1A.

The 1,609 acre property surrounds both Holt Mountain and Second Pond, a 64 acre lake ranked as the fourth most scenic among the 963 surveyed in Maine’s organized towns.

Heron Rookery View from the top of Big Hill Mud Pond Big Hill from Second Pond

The property contains important wildlife habitat and spectacular views over undeveloped ponds and lakes to hills and mountains as far away as Blue Hill. There is access to Second Pond via a trail from Allen Pond, also known as Clear Lake Road.

The Maine’s Finest Lakes report states that “…outstanding scenery is provided by high dramatic relief, cliffs, and a bouldered shore . . . the shoreline is completely vegetated, and the dominant communities consist of spruce/fir and white pine forests” and the pond “is tucked between six small mountain ridges that abruptly rise from the shoreline creating a spectacular setting.”

Second Pond is part of an ongoing international research project examining the recovery of lakes and streams from acidification. It is one of only 205 sites throughout North America and Europe chosen for the study.

Much of the property has been in Johnson family ownership since the 1930s. The current owners, Philip and Joanne Johnson, acquired several additional tracts in recent years to protect as much of the Second Pond watershed as is possible.

To conserve the land as a working forest, NEFF will hold and monitor a conservation easement, offered by the Johnsons at two-thirds of the appraised value. NEFF is collaborating with Maine Coast Heritage Trust, with the Union River Watershed Coalition, and with the Frenchman Bay Conservancy to raise the funds.

The project fund-raising goal of $560,000 includes the easement purchase price of $500,000 plus all direct expenses and a dedicated monitoring fund.

NEFF acquired the first of three conservation easements, covering 300 acres, in February 2005. The second easement closed in March 2006, and the project will be complete when the third phase closes.

Project Location

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