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Protecting the Royal River for current and future generations
Protecting the Royal River for current and future generations
who we are
Royal River Conservation Trust (RRCT) is a Southern Maine land trust focused on conserving land across the communities of the watershed.
Founded in 1988, the Trust protects and stewards land through acquisition, conservation easements and other legal agreements, and collaboration with a wide range of conservation partners. RRCT's work is made possible almost exclusively by charitable gifts.
Learn moreMAKE A GIFTMake a gift
Make a gift to protect our watershed
Your gift to Royal River Conservation Trust protects and stewards fields, forests, farmland, wetlands, and trails throughout the Royal River watershed.
Learn moreEXPLORE
Explore our watershed
All Royal River Conservation Trust preserves possess their own unique characteristics and are open to the public free of charge year-round.
Learn moreVOLUNTEER
Volunteer to protect our watershed
Volunteers established Royal River Conservation Trust in 1988 and continue to be vital to our operations. We are always looking for talented people to help advance our mission.
Learn more.jpg)
Photo Credit Kristel Hayes
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Volunteers established RRCT in 1988 and continue to be vital to its operations. From trail stewards and committee members, to special event supporters and Board Directors, the Trust welcomes community involvement and wants to hear from you.
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Upcoming Events
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Location: Farwell Forest. Please park at the end of Greely Road Extension in Cumberland, being sure not to block private driveways.
Curriculum: We will look for signs of animals, such as fisher, porcupine, fox, and coyote, and learn how to distinguish between different types of tracks.
Naturalist: Karen Herold
Rain or Shine | No Cost Event
Get Out! Nature Walks are volunteer-led regular trips with trained master naturalists. Join us for a well-planned, no cost, guided adventure. Monthly on the fourth Wednesday; always free; rain, snow, or shine. Jointly offered by both Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust and Royal River Conservation Trust, the walks take place at preserves in the towns of Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Pownal, New Gloucester, and Durham. Our curriculum is targeted at adults and engaged youth. Because the purpose is nature observation, we ask that dogs do not join us. Email CCLT with any questions.
*Photography and Filming Note: Your attendance at RRCT events may be photographed or filmed and your attendance indicates consent to have any images or footage featuring you at the event to be used for RRCT-related materials and outreach. Should images or footage appear in marketing materials that you don’t wish to be featured in, you must notify RRCT at info@RRCT.org and RRCT will cease to further use your image or footage for any new materials going forward.
Join us on Sunday, February 1st, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 pm as we gather at the summit of Pisgah Hill Preserve for RRCT's 14th annual Full Moon Trek. We’ll share brief remarks at sunset (5:09 p.m.), followed by a full moonrise over Bradbury Mountain.
The Pisgah Hill Preserve (South) trailhead is at 74 Dougherty Road in New Gloucester. (In Pownal, Dougherty Road is known as Chadsey Road.) Parking for this event is on the road shoulders of Dougherty Road, one side of the road only.
It takes around half an hour to hike 0.6 miles from the trailhead to the summit and campfire. So show up anytime after 4:00 pm but before 7:00 pm. We'll update registrants with trail conditions as the date draws closer. Expect some minor elevation gain and ledges that may be icy or rocky. We recommend wearing ice grippers for extra traction. At the summit, you’ll be welcomed by a warm campfire, great company, and s’mores to enjoy beneath the night sky.
We’ll light the trail with lanterns, but it will largely be dark, especially during your descent, so bring a headlamp or flashlight. The entire loop trail (return trip) is 1.2 miles.
Dogs are welcome if leashed, with strict attention to pet waste removal.
Register HERE!
Saturday, February 7th, 2026 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Thayer Brook Preserve, 92 Ramsdell Road in Gray
Guides: Margaret Reimann, Anne Payson, Steve McPike
Registration: Limited to 12 spots. Sign up here!
Curriculum: Have you ever wondered what life is like for beavers in Maine? Join us at Thayer Brook Preserve as we uncover the mysteries of this remarkable animal, its role in the ecosystem, the history of our relationship with beavers, and the ways they shape the landscape around us.
We’ll go on a guided walk over the frozen beaver marsh where, conditions permitting, we may get up close to a large beaver lodge and look for signs of wildlife activity along the way.
Please plan for a 2-hour hike over uneven and slippery terrain. Wear warm layers and micro spikes for traction. We’ll meet at the trailhead parking lot at 92 Ramsdell Road in Gray. Please register here.
Rain or Shine | No Cost Event
Get Out! Nature Walks are volunteer-led regular trips with trained master naturalists. Join us for a well-planned, no cost, guided adventure. Monthly on the fourth Wednesday and some weekends; always free; rain, snow, or shine. Jointly offered by both Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust and Royal River Conservation Trust, the walks take place at preserves in the towns of Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Gray, Pownal, New Gloucester, and Durham. Our curriculum is targeted at adults and engaged youth. Because the purpose is nature observation, we ask that dogs do not join us.
*Photography and Filming Note: Your attendance at RRCT events may be photographed or filmed and your attendance indicates consent to have any images or footage featuring you at the event to be used for RRCT-related materials and outreach. Should images or footage appear in marketing materials that you don’t wish to be featured in, you must notify RRCT at info@RRCT.org and RRCT will cease to further use your image or footage for any new materials going forward.