Georgetown Preserved Lands

Some 35% of Georgetown’s total acreage is conserved land, of which about half is privately held and not open to the public.  A high percentage of conserved land is forested or salt marsh.  In 2018, Georgetown had about 2,000 acres of parks and preserves, plus 1,925 acres in privately owned open space parcels and 277 acres in tree-growth woodlots. 

With evidence of human habitation since the Middle Archaic Period (8,000 – 6,000 B.P.), Georgetown contains thirty-three identified archeological sites, as well as historic sites dating back to the earliest European settlements.  In addition, Georgetown has considerable areas of protected wildlife habitat.  An island, its perimeters are under shoreland zoning.

The largest public entities maintaining preserved lands in Georgetown are:  the State of Maine; the University of Maine; The Nature Conservancy; the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust; and Maine Audubon Society.  Some of the smaller islands off Georgetown Island but within the municipality are owned by 501(c)3’s The Chewonki Foundation, The Appalachian Mountain Club, and Friends of Seguin.  The Georgetown Conservation Commission is responsible for managing the forests owned by the Town of Georgetown at Ipcar and Round the Cove Preserves. 

Restrictions on hunting, water access and pets vary by preserve.  All prohibit fires, with the exception of designated picnic areas at Reid State Park.