Protecting the Royal River for current and future generations

GET INVOLVED.

Protecting the Royal River for current and future generations

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO GET INVOLVED.

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.

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OUR IMPACT

6,100+ ACRES OF LAND PROTECTED
7+ MILES OF RIVER SHORELINE MANAGED
25 MILES OF TRAILS STEWARDED

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Make 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.

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EXPLORE

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.

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VOLUNTEER

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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Trails, preserves, and farms

Explore the waters and lands of the watershed.  

PLAN YOUR VISIT

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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What’s new

Read more about our recent projects.

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Upcoming Events

World Fish Migration Festival

Sparhawk Mill

81 Bridge St, Yarmouth

May 23, 2026

Saturday, May 23rd | 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Sparhawk Mill, 81 Bridge Street, Yarmouth

Park at Patriots Insurance, 701 US-Route 1, Yarmouth

Join us on Saturday, May 23rd, from 12–3 PM at Yarmouth’s historic Sparhawk Mill for a community celebration of World Fish Migration Day. This biennial event brings together conservation groups, artists, and speakers for an afternoon of hands‑on learning and exploration focused on the Royal River.

This year’s celebration highlights the historic effort to remove the Elm and Bridge Street dams—an important step toward restoring a free‑flowing Royal River to Casco Bay for the first time in more than 300 years.

What to Expect

  • Interactive activities for all ages led by local conservation organizations
  • Guest Speakers from Yarmouth Town officials, Gulf of Maine Research Institure, American Rivers, and Yarmouth Community Alliance for Racial Equity (YCARE)
  • Fly‑casting fishing demonstrations from Maine Fly Company
  • The debut of Brickyard Hollow’s “Upstream” tribute beer, brewed to commemorate the dam removals
  • Opportunities to meet regional partners working to protect and restore the Royal River

Whether you’re passionate about river restoration, curious about local ecology, or simply looking for a fun community event, we’d love to have you join us!

Get Out! Nature Walk: Spring Ephemerals
May 27, 2026

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Broad Cove Reserve, Cumberland Foreside

Curriculum: Join us at Broad Cove Reserve to learn about spring ephemerals, captivating and delicate wildflowers like Pink Lady’s Slipper, Trillium, and Trout Lily, that we only have a fleeting moment to enjoy in bloom each spring.

Naturalists: Sukie Curtis, Margaret Reimann, and Karen Massey

Rain or Shine | No Cost Event

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 Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust and Royal River Conservation 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.

2026 Wescustogo Paddle
Jun 6, 2026

Save the date for RRCT's 5th Annual Wescustogo Paddle on Saturday, June 6th!

More details coming soon.

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