Land protectionWatershed catalystEQUITY + inclusion

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Access

Royal River Conservation Trust prioritizes equitable, no-fee access to outdoor experiences in the Royal River watershed.

The Wabanaki Confederacy

Royal River Conservation Trust prioritizes equitable, no-fee access to outdoor experiences in the Royal River watershed.

Royal River Conservation Trust acknowledges that we are located on the traditional, unceded land of the Aucocisco band of the Abenakai and Wabanaki Peoples. Our watershed, traditionally known as Wescustogo, has been the Wabanaki's ancestral homeland for over 13,000 years and continues to be stewarded by Wabanaki people today. As indigenous and non-indigenous people alike grapple with the historical and ongoing effects of colonization and forced assimilation, we are committed to efforts of education, interpretation, and peace and reconciliation.

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For Free, For Everyone, Forever

Royal River Conservation Trust prioritizes access to our preserves, trails, and properties. Visitation is free for everyone, and we're always working to improve access so that everyone can enjoy outdoor experiences in the Royal watershed.

RRCT Strategic plan

RRCT Strategic Plan Pillar 3 calls for us to engage and strengthen relationships with individuals, communities, and organizations connected and committed to a healthy and sustainable watershed.

INCREASING ACCESS

RRCT seeks to elevate its efforts to better publicize its properties to individuals underserved by land conservation to begin to distribute resources and privileges differently throughout the watershed.

RRCT's efforts to provide free access to the outdoors extends beyond our own properties as we furnish no-cost access to Maine State Parks. Residents of watershed communities are encouraged to check with their local libraries to learn more.

While at the New Gloucester Library, ask about the opportunity to “sign out” (for free!) a canoe or kayak and paddling gear donated by L.L. Bean, then go paddle the Royal starting at the nearby New Gloucester Fairgrounds. Visit the Royal River Water Trail for a comprehensive list of river paddling experiences.

ACCESSIBILITY

RRCT has worked with partners throughout the watershed to increase accessibility to the outdoors.

Our Accessibility efforts

We made significant financial and volunteer labor investments in Yarmouth (West Side Trail and Riverfront Woods Preserve) to build “universally accessible” trails and in North Yarmouth’s Baston Park to increase access to the Royal itself. We have worked with our partners at Bradbury Mountain State Park to improve wheelchair accessibility to the playground and picnic area. We also have engaged with the Maine Department of Transportation to improve traffic safety where Bradbury trails cross Route 9 in Pownal.

Within our own preserves and properties, we have made incremental improvements on Littlejohn Island and on other RRCT trails to improve mobility options for some. Trail descriptions at RRCT.org seek to provide accurate information to align mobility expectations with actual field conditions.