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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.
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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 22, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: Carley-Grant, Cumberland
Curriculum: Because this property is infrequently used by humans, the forest animals have free run of the place. If there is snow, we are likely to see many animal tracks, such as fisher, porcupine, snowshoe hare, fox, and coyote. If there is no snow, we'll go looking for a porcupine high in a tree and whatever else winter shows us. There is no trail, so be prepared for a bit of bushwhacking. Please park at the Rines Forest lot at 363 Range Road, Cumberland.
Naturalist: Karen Herold
These 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 RRCT and the Chebeague and Cumberland Land 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.
2025 is the year of our lucky 13th Annual Pisgah Hill Full Moon Trek! Join us at the summit from 4 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, February 12th for brief remarks at sunset (5:07 p.m.) followed by a spectacular 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 only takes a half hour to hike 0.6 miles from the trailhead to the summit and campfire. So show up any time after 4:00 pm and 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 spikes and if snow has just fallen, you may want to swap the spikes with snowshoes. We’ll build a warm fire and provide s’mores at the summit.
We’ll light the way up and back with lanterns but it will largely be dark, especially during your descent. The entire loop trail (return trip) is 1.2 miles.
Recommended safety equipment: Cell phones, whistles, water, flashlights, headlamps, warm clothes, and ice grippers.
Dogs are welcome if leashed, with strict attention to pet waste removal.
Bonus points: Tag us in your photos on Instagram @royalriverconservationtrust and Facebook or email your favorite photos to Info@RRCT.org
Please RSVP below!
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Wednesday, February 26, 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: Rines Forest, Cumberland
Curriculum: TBD
Naturalist: Karen Bruder
,Get Out! Nature Walks
These 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 RRCT and the Chebeague and Cumberland Land 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.