Join CCLT for our Annual Meeting and Fall Celebration at the recently-conserved Watson Woods property! CCLT is adding 2 miles of new trails that connect Watson Woods, acquired in July 2025, to CCLT-conserved Rines Forest and Read Family Farm & Woods. This scenic and stream-laced property is part of a large block of forested wildlife habitat and a critical piece of the recreation corridor between Cumberland and Falmouth.
At the meeting we will vote for new and returning board members, present the Bates Conservation Award, and share fall treats and apple cider. We'll also hear from Maine Trail Builders about the process of trail-building at Watson Woods and take a walk to get a sneak preview of their work so far.
Rain date is Sunday, Nov 1, 1-3 pm.
Parking: Drive all the way to the end of Turkey Lane in Cumberland. Park in the new lot or along the road.
New board candidate biographies:
Jessica Grondin - Cumberland Center
Jessica Grondin has lived in Cumberland Center since 2012 with her husband and daughter. Born and raised in Bangor, Maine, she attended Regis College in Weston, Mass earning a BA in Communications and Political Science. She served the City of Boston for 11 years under Mayor Menino’s administration, handling communications and media relations for two different city agencies. She returned to Maine to work in marketing communications for Pierce Atwood LLP before moving back into the public sector. Since 2014 she has served the City of Portland as its Director of Communications. Her previous board roles include the Fort Williams Foundation and two terms on the Greely PTO. She is excited to join CCLT as she (and her rescue dog!) are very active users of the trails.
Eliza Lee - West Cumberland
Eliza and her husband moved from Philadelphia to Maine in 2020, fulfilling a lifelong dream after spending summers here for most of their lives. They moved to Cumberland in 2022 primarily because of the access to conserved land in the area and love to hike everyday with their dog in the Rines Forest. Eliza also enjoys gardening, yoga, skiing, sailing, reading and traveling (especially to visit her three adult children). She graduated from Yale University, received a Ph.D. in Clinical Developmental Psychology from Bryn Mawr College, and works in private practice in Cumberland.
Jane Wilson - West Cumberland
Jane is a Cumberland native who spent her childhood exploring the woods, waters, and trails that CCLT works to protect. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Yale University and an MS in Nursing from the University of Southern Maine. A licensed family nurse practitioner, Jane practiced primary care for nine years before pausing her career to focus on her young family. She recently served on the 2025 Cumberland Comprehensive Plan Committee. Jane lives near Watson Woods and Rines Forest with her husband and two children.
Leah Hurley - Cumberland Center
Through her business Craft, Inc., Leah supports non profits, businesses and entrepreneurs who are looking to increase their impact and align their communications and marketing with their core values. She holds a BS from Babson College in Business Management and is a founding member of the Camden International Film Festival where she worked as the Producer for many years, and then served on the Board of Directors and as the Vice Chair. She also served for 5 years on the Board of Directors for the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine. She lives in Cumberland, Maine, the homeland of the Wabanaki and Abenaki, with her partner and two stepchildren who remind her to stay awake to the beauty of life unfolding around and through us. For a more complete bio, reference Leah’s website at: https://www.crafttomorrow.com/about
Renewing Board Candidates: Clare Ellis, Allison Foster, Matie Little, Rod Vogel
Retiring Board Members: Heidi Fitz, Leah McDonald, Erin McAllister, Kelly Boyer Ontl
Meeting Agenda:
Approve 2025 annual meeting minutes
Brief business meeting
Vote on new and returning board candidates (members can vote remotely by emailing info@ccltmaine.org)
Bates Conservation Award presentation
Thanking outgoing board members
Honoring the Watson family
Trail talk with Maine Trail Builders
Trail walk