Boothbay Region Land Trust has a new home and preserve. The trust welcomed over 200 members, donors and well-wishers during a July 14 ceremonial branch-cutting at Oak Point Farm in Boothbay Harbor.

BRLT is the new owner of Oak Pond Farm, a 32-acre property at 60 Samoset Road. The salt water farm extends down Townsend Gut into Hodgdon Cove.

The land trust began negotiations last year with the Jackson family. The working salt water farm includes a fresh water pond and apple orchard. Last year, BRLT began a $3 million capital campaign to buy the 1794 farmhouse and surrounding property.

So far, BRLT has raised $2 million of its goal, and campaign co-chairman John Welsh implored attendees to raise the remaining $1 million this year. Fundraising will finance the property’s acquisition, walking trail and property renovations, energy enhancements, and perpetual maintenance fund.

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, capital campaign co-chairmen Jack Welsh and Louise Bowditch along with BRLT President Jack Fulmer participated in an oak branch cutting to officially welcome the public to the Trust’s newest land preserve and first non-rented headquarters in the organization’s 38-year existence.

The farmhouse is currently undergoing a major renovation. Fulmer told attendees the Trust is in the middle of the first of a three-phase renovation plan. Phase One is for public safety. Phase Two is for public access to the walking trails. And Phase Three is a sustainable energy project. The farmhouse is undergoing a major renovation toward meeting state Fire Marshal requirements such as an additional staircase and making the facility handicap accessible.

Phase Three is an effort toward reducing the Trust’s carbon footprint. A geothermal unit is being installed into the farmhouse. It will serve as a heating, cooling, and dehumidification unit.

“We are a conservation organization and conservation of energy is part of our mission. You see pipes floating in the pond. We are using the pond as a heat source. We will burn no fuel oil, no propane. This is all being done to make us carbon neutral,” Fulmer said.

The unit requires electricity to run pumps, compressors and fans. A solar unit is being installed to further reduce the Trust’s carbon use, according to Fulmer.

Welsh discussed the importance of the picturesque property remaining available for public use. He reminded attendees a similar property in southern Maine was sold to a private developer. “Did you see the photo in the Portland Press Herald of the property being surrounded by a nine-foot fence with a no trespassing sign? That didn’t happen here. Instead, this is free and open to the public. This is a spectacular opportunity for us all, and it is fortuitous the Jacksons didn’t want the property developed, and sold it to us.”

The grand opening included a scavenger hunt for colored pine cones, cookout, Taco the Town’s food truck, and live music performed by The Spaceheaters. The Trust awarded dozens of prizes local businesses donated for scavenger hunt winners.