Norman and Gale Hochgraf, who live along Boyd Pond, recently helped to advance an initiative to protect this water body and its abundant wildlife. Keen to maintain the shoreline in its natural state for the benefit of the pond’s wild residents, the Hochgraf’s made a gift of a conservation easement to the Damariscotta River Association this past December, permanently protecting 15 acres and more than 400 feet of shoreline.

Boyd Pond lies along the Pemaquid River, less than two miles upstream of the falls by Poole Brothers. The pond provides refuge for water birds and other wildlife, as well as a destination for swimmers and paddlers. It is still relatively wild, and with the help of the DRA and its partners more of its shoreline is under permanent protection than ever before.

The Hochgraf’s are devoted observers of the pond’s wildlife. Loons, they note, are among their favorite species and they keep a close eye on resident blue herons and osprey as well.

This gift is not their first to the DRA. In October 2004, they gave the organization a conservation easement on 45 acres of forested land adjacent to the existing 40-acre Bearce-Allen Preserve owned by the Pemaquid Watershed Association. This easement, known as the NORGAL Preserve, included public access, thus effectively doubling the block of land available to wildlife and the public.

The Hochgrafs’ latest gift abuts their original gift, adding further protection to the NORGAL and Bearce-Allen Preserves and creating a wildlife connection between the formerly landlocked properties and the shores of Boyd Pond.

In the Hochgrafs’ own words, “Boyd Pond, accessible to paddlers on the Pemaquid River, is still much like a wilderness pond and it seemed a shame to us to have it lose its uniqueness as many other ponds along the coast have. We see our recent gift as a way to help preserve that character and, at the same time, provide an undeveloped corridor for wildlife from the adjacent preserves to the pond. The DRA has been most helpful in achieving our objectives.”

At the other end of the pond, the DRA led a protection effort seven years ago with partner PWA, funded in large part by the Land for Maine’s Future Program, to secure the Crooked Farm Preserve. This 130-acre property is now under DRA easement, owned by the PWA, and managed jointly by the two organizations. It features trails along the Pemaquid River, open fields, a canoe launch, and impressive viewpoints over the river and the pond.

Further north, just across Old County Road, the DRA holds a public access conservation easement that connects all the way to Route 32.

“With additional projects in the works,” comments DRA lands director Steven Hufnagel, “the future of Boyd Pond looks a good deal more promising than it would without the initiative and support of the DRA, its members, partner organizations, and generous individuals like Norman and Gale Hochgraf.”

For more information about projects in the Boyd Pond area, or to find out how to get involved in these protection efforts or in the Damariscotta River Association, contact the director of lands and stewardship at 563-1393. The DRA is a non-profit, membership-supported land trust working to “preserve and promote the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the Damariscotta River and surrounding areas for the benefit of all.”

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