Bates Conservation Award
The Blanchard Bates Conservation Award was established in 1996. The award is presented to local individuals, groups, or companies to recognize, with great appreciation, their uncommon efforts in preserving Cumberland and Chebeague Islands’ special sites and/or helping the trust attain its goals.
Blanchard W. Bates of Great Chebeague, for whom the award is named, was one of the founding members of CCLT (formerly CMIT). He inspired and guided the trust during its early years and worked to promote land conservation throughout the Town of Cumberland. By establishing this award in his name, the trust recognizes his foresight and vision for conservation on our island and mainland communities.
The following individuals or groups have received the Bates Conservation Award:
2022
WILLIAM SHANE
In great appreciation for his exceptional efforts, dedication, and twenty years of service as town manager for the Town of Cumberland. The citizens of Cumberland and surrounding communities will forever benefit from his leadership to protect the forests, fields, shoreline, waters, scenic views, and recreational spaces in our town. Knight’s Pond, Rines Forest, and Broad Cove are just part of the wonderful legacy he leaves for generations of residents to enjoy. We thank him for his tireless energy and partnership to conserve the most special places in our community.
2021
Penny Asherman
In recognition of her 18 years of board service (including 13 as president), leadership, guidance, and vision for CCLT. For her ability to navigate complex projects and partnerships, passion for ensuring the long-term strength of the organization, and love of providing access to special places in the natural world for the children of this community.
2020
Rob Crawford
In recognition of his lifelong love and appreciation of the landscapes that surround us and his vision and dedication towards protecting the beauty, natural resources, and wildlife of Cumberland and Chebeague Island. For his two decades of leadership, keen legal expertise, ability to forge important partnerships with our municipalities, and inspiring others to celebrate the wonders of the natural world. A walk through the stream-laced Rines Forest on a fall day, a skate at Knight’s Pond, watching an early summer morning sunrise on the shorelines of Casco Bay - these are part of the legacy that he leaves for us to enjoy, forever.
2019
TOWN OF CUMBERLAND
In recognition of their outstanding efforts to protect the beautiful landscapes, natural resources, and recreational opportunities in our community. The citizens of Cumberland, and the region, will forever benefit from the Town’s vision and its enduring legacy of protected forests, ponds, fields, and shoreline.
LEILA BISHARAT
Successful land conservation depends on passing a steadfast commitment to the world’s natural beauty from generation to generation. Leila Bisharat illustrates this sometimes abstract notion in a very concrete and special way. She acquired her passion for the natural wonders of Casco Bay from her father, Blanchard Bates, and burnished his legacy through her own dedication, skills, knowledge, and successes. Leila’s successes can be counted in the land she has helped protect and her tireless stewardship of the special places in the care of CCLT. Perhaps her most enduring legacy has been to instill her own passion and dedication in a younger generation of land conservationists. Through her example and determination, Leila has ensured that the wonders of the Maine coast will be protected for lifetimes to come.
2016
MICHAEL PORTER
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to land conservation. For his vision to protect the beauty, resources, and wildlife of Great Chebeague Island, mainland Cumberland, and the islands that grace Casco Bay. For his tenacity and leadership that turned his vision into an abiding gift to generations of Chebeague and Cumberland residents. For his deep and wide-ranging expertise on the complex issues associated with land conservation. For setting the highest of standards for all who would aspire to continue his legacy. A walk in the woods on an autumn day, a sail around a pristine island, and the chorus of frogs on a rainy spring night—these are his gifts to us.
2014
2012
PHILIP AND SHELIA JORDAN
In recognition for their life-long commitment to conserving, protecting, and nurturing the land. Wherever they have lived, Phil and Sheila Jordan have been leaders of land conservation efforts, but no more so than on their beloved Chebeague Island, where they have served as stewards of Indian Point, placed the Gray Path in trust, been caring neighbors of Rose’s Point and been longtime members of CCLT. Their support of the trust’s mission and work will leave an indelible impression on the beauty of the Maine coast.
2009
JONATHAN LABAREE - 2009
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to land conservation in our local community and the State of Maine through his commitment and service to CCLT and Maine Coast Heritage Trust. The citizens of Cumberland and Chebeague Island, and many other communities along the Maine Coast, will forever benefit from his conservation vision and expertise.
2006
THE RINES FAMILY
In appreciation for their work as long-standing stewards of Rines Forest and their commitment to working with the Town of Cumberland to keep the forest, its wildlife and resources available forever in our community.
2005
PAUL GIANAS
In appreciation for the many years of service and dedication to CCLT and for furthering land conservation in the Town of Cumberland. Through his extensive, unwavering support and invaluable experience, CMIT has become a stronger organization. The citizens of Cumberland will forever benefit from many wonderful properties that have been protected on the mainland and in Casco Bay under his tenure.
THE FOUNDERS OF THE CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET
In appreciation of the effort undertaken to establish a successful market for fresh, locally grown food. The Cumberland Farmers Market is an important element in keeping local family-owned farms economically viable, thereby preserving the open space and rural character of our community.
2001
WILLIAM F. SWANN (Posthumous)
In appreciation of his efforts to bring Chebeague and mainland resident together to form the Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust, as well as for his contributions to the Cumberland Conservation Commission, Chebeague Historical Society, and the Chebeague Grange.
2000
2000
GEORGE M. HYDE
In appreciation for the many years of tireless service given to numerous environmental organizations and the devotion shown for furthering the missions of CCLT, Cumberland Town Forest Board, Maine Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, Falmouth Conservation Trust, and Oceanside Conservation Trust with enthusiasm, good cheer, and endless support. Through his efforts and the countless ways in which he has aided these organizations, he has helped to assure that the residents of Cumberland and Falmouth will enjoy the use of a number of extraordinary properties in perpetuity.
1999
INDIAN ISLAND COMPANY
In appreciation of the patience and perseverance shown by the officers and stockholders over many years whose efforts culminated with the granting of a conservation easement covering part of the very special area of Great Chebeague Island known as Indian Point. This easement ensures that the property will remain in a substantially unaltered natural state and that the residents of Cumberland will enjoy the use of this extraordinary site forever.
1998
ROBERT WOOD JR.
In appreciation of your many years of service to the Town of Cumberland in support of conservation and land use planning. As a founding member of the trust, he served as its first treasurer and ultimately as president. His dedicated years of service on the Cumberland Conservation Commission, Town Forest Board, Long Range Planning Committee, and the 1987-1989 Comprehensive Plan Committee all greatly benefited our community.
1997
TROOP 58, BOY SCOUT of AMERICA, and CUMBERLAND TOWN FOREST BOARD
In appreciation of their joint efforts over the past several years to establish a nature trail in the Cumberland Town Forest. Your cooperative work on trail layout, clearing, bridge building, obtaining grant funds, designing signs, and producing a self-guiding brochure all enable public enjoyment of the Ernest A. Rand Nature Trail.
1996
LEE BOWMAN
In appreciation for granting to CCLT a conservation easement which provides perpetual protection of the natural beauty of Deer Point and allows public access to this special place on Great Chebeague Island.
1996
ROBERT BENSON
In appreciation of his many efforts, during his tenure as town manager of Cumberland, to promote an ethos of land conservation, recreational opportunities, and coastal access. Projects that he supported include Division Point, Chandlers Cove, and Sunset Point on Great Chebeague; Smalls Brook Crossing, Dillenback, Fowler, and town forest revitalization in Cumberland; and Stockman Island.