Our Preserves
Since 1982, Downeast Salmon Federation has conserved over 6,507 acres, either through fee-purchases (4,153 acres) or conservation easements (2,354 acres), which includes nearly 84 miles of river frontage. We currently own or have easements on 90 parcels throughout Washington and Hancock counties in Maine.
As of 2023, our Land Trust is officially accredited
That means that our Land Trust meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Accreditation proves that DSF Land Trust demonstrates sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance and lasting stewardship.
We welcome the public to the DSF Land Trust properties and ask that you review the Hunting and Wildlife Viewing Equipment Policy and Campfire Policy before your visit. All properties are “Pack-It-In, Pack-It-Out”. You must have a permit to have a campfire on the properties.
Our Preserves
Addison Marsh Preserve
This preserve is a great location to observe waterfowl and other marsh life.
Beaverdam Stream Preserve
The short Old Mill Loop Trail leads to a streamside picnic table.
Beech Hill Preserve
This scenic preserve consists of uplands and nearly a mile of frontage on the Pleasant River.
Cathance Lake Deep Cove Preserve
This mostly-forested preserve has a convenient public boat ramp available to launch watercraft.
Chalk Pond Preserve
This preserve provides picnic tables and pond access for boating, fishing and ice fishing.
Curtis Creek Preserve
A hike through the woods and wetlands around Curtis Creek are worthwhile for those prepared to do a little trailbreaking.
Dennys River Preserve
This preserve has long been a favorite local spot for fishing and recreation with a recently renovated pavilion open for picnicking.
Elisha Brook Preserve
This is a real nature lover’s paradise with beaver dams and wetlands on this mostly forested preserve.
Great Falls Preserve
This popular preserve features an intact forest and nearly 4000’ feet of river frontage with rapids, cascading waterfalls and pools.
Great Heath Preserve
This stretch of the Pleasant River winds lazily through the Great Heath, rich with waterfowl and unique flora.
Honeymoon Brook Preserve
The Honeymoon Brook Preserve has frontage on Honeymoon Brook, a tributary of Old Stream and the Machias River.
Little Falls Preserve – East
An unmarked trail leads to the Narraguagus River and the falls for which the preserve is named.
Little Falls Preserve – West
The 148-acres Little Falls West parcel features nearly a half mile of frontage on the main stem of the Narraguagus River.
Little Narraguagus Preserve
The preserve consists of wetlands and forest and is bounded to the north by the Little Narraguagus River.
MacHatton Brook Preserve
This preserve consists of forest and wetlands along the Narraguagus River.
Narraguagus Marsh Preserve
This preserve on the Narraguagus River includes estuarine wetlands with forested uplands.
NEFF Reynolds Family Forest
The southeastern boundary of this property has nearly a mile of frontage on the Dennys River.
Old Stream Intervale Preserve
This preserve is a low-lying tract of land along a river only accessible by canoe or kayak.
Orange Lake Preserve
This day-use preserve is part of the Orange River Water Trail, a 9-mile flat-water paddling trail.
Pleasant River Community Forest Preserve
This preserve has two entrances and parking areas, with well marked trails and a primitive campsite.
Popple Hill Preserve
The preserve contains over 400 acres of older-growth oak and maple hardwood forest and 2.25 miles of frontage on the Narraguagus River.
Redmond’s Creek Preserve
The land abuts tidal marsh adjacent to the Harrington River, and has a history of being an important spawning habitat for rainbow smelt.
River Bend Preserve
The preserve has an unmarked riverside trail along the Narraguagus River.
Rock Dam Preserve
The preserve has an information kiosk, a loop hiking trail, and a primitive campsite with a picnic table.
Saco Falls Town Park and Preserve
This park is a community favorite on a hot summer day for swimming and picnicning.
Schoodic Brook Canoe Launch at Rt. 193
This property provides public access to the Narraguagus River via a trail leading from the parking area, and is a great place to launch a kayak or canoe.
Schoodic Brook Preserve
A short river access trail leads from the parking area to nearly 800 feet of frontage on the Narraguagus River.
Smelt Brook Preserve
Seagulls, herons, ducks, and bald eagles are commonly observed when visiting this preserve.
Spragues Falls Preserve
This preserve provides trails, canoe access, a small waterfall, a historic camp, and an old homestead to explore.
Upper Mud Lake Preserve
Access is by boat coming from Pocomoonshine Lake to the north or from Lower Mud Lake or Crawford Lake to the south.
West Branch Preserve
The preserve has 1.4 miles of former roads which serve as primitive hiking trails, and it has over a mile of river frontage.
Wigwams Preserve
This preserve consists of forest and blueberry barrens along with almost a mile along the Machias River.