Maine’s Scarborough Marsh Observation Tower Open for Public Use
On September 29, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., MDIFW, the Friends of Scarborough Marsh and Maine Audubon, will be hosting an event to celebrate the opening of a new observation tower on the Scarborough Wildlife Management Area. This tower is located at 53 Manson Libby Rd, along the Dunstan River. This event coincides with National Public Lands Day. The organizers have worked hard to make this unique public access facility and provide a new perspective on a rich variety of wildlife habitats and species. This would be a good opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts to talk with some knowledgeable local naturalists including Judy Camuso, MDIFW wildlife biologist from the Gray HQ.
In 2009, the 46-acre piece of property with the tower was acquired from the Gervais family for $795,0000, thanks in large part to a Scarborough Parks and Recreation Land Bond and financial support from Land for Maine’s Future Program ($160,000), Friends of Scarborough Marsh ($32,000), the Davis Conservation Foundation ($20,000), Ducks Unlimited ($5,000) and $328,000 in settlement funds from the 1996 Julie N oil spill in the Fore River. MDIFW and Friends of Scarborough Marsh then provided funds for the structural improvements necessary for public use. The Department Engineering crew assisted with labor and materials and LMF access improvement funds were applied to the metal fabrication work. The Friends of Scarborough Marsh, in consultation with MDIFW, provided funds for design and construction of color interpretive panels featuring the upland and wetland habitats present on site. This has been a good example of a collaborative effort of many partners to pool limited resources for a significant public benefit at the Scarborough Wildlife Management Area.
The tower is accessed by a parking area and walking trail leaving from a two bay garage and MDIFW sign at 53 Manson Libby Rd. or via a gated gravel road leading directly from the road. For questions pertaining to the property, please contact the Wildlife Division at the MDIFW Gray Regional Office @ 657-2345 x 110.
