The York River Stewardship Committee awarded grants ranging from $1,200 to $10,000 to eight organizations for projects in this third round of its annual York River Watershed Grants Program. Four recipients were first-time applicants to the grants program. Projects help implement the York River Watershed Stewardship Plan and address diverse resources and needs across the entire watershed.
“We are thrilled to help fund these great projects undertaken by partner groups whose work directly protects and enhances the York River watershed for continued public benefit,” said Joan LeBlanc, Chair of the York River Stewardship Committee. “These new grant-funded projects will improve water quality and coastal habitats, conserve valuable natural and historic resources, enhance sustainable recreation, expand our knowledge about important resources, and engage more people in stewardship activities – all key priorities for us,” she noted.
The Stewardship Committee awarded grants to:
- Old York Historical Society for archaeological investigations and continued restoration of the McIntire Garrison Cider House
- Great Works Regional Land Trust to purchase a conservation easement to protect forests, salt marshes, and river shoreline on a 70-acre parcel in Eliot
- York County Soil & Water Conservation District for invasive aquatic plant surveys in York Pond and Scituate Pond
- Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation for education programs and shoreline cleanups
- Eliot Conservation Commission for trail improvements in the Eliot Town Forest
- York Land Trust to acquire a parcel that protects wetlands and is part of a large unfragmented natural area
- Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve for image analysis and mapping to assess tidal restrictions and identify priorities for restoration
- York Parks and Recreation Department to develop an invasive plant control plan for Steedman Woods
Funding for this grants program is provided by the National Park Service Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. Information about Wild and Scenic River designation and the York River Watershed Grants Program is available on the committee’s website, YorkRiverMaine.org, which also includes a sign up for the York River Stewardship Committee’s periodic newsletter.
FMI: See the 2026 Grants Projects Summary.