By Nika Colley, NACD Northeast Region Representative

In conservation, it is often seen that natural resources, and the issues associated with them, do not adhere neatly with human borders. Many conservation districts work across municipal, county, and state boundaries. Some, like the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Maine, lie on national borders – in this case, the easternmost border of Canada – and must collaborate internationally to address land, water, wildlife, and agricultural concerns.

One such collaboration is that of Washington County SWCD’s work on Canada’s Campobello Island, just east of Lubec, Maine. Just as the natural resources flow across boundaries, so do people in this area. Many families and communities on the island, and in surrounding areas, are made up of both Canadian and American citizens. As Nate Pennell, Past Executive Director of Washington County SWCD, remarks, “We’re all Down East folks, whether you’re in Canada, or on the islands, or where[ever] you are here.”

While Campobello Island is part of New Brunswick, Canada, it holds cultural significance to both countries and is home to Canadians and Americans. Notably, Campobello holds the Roosevelt Cottage property, where President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt spent their summers.

While fishing on Campobello Island, Pennell learned from Roosevelt Cottage staff that the property was facing erosion issues after a recent coastal storm. Washington County SWCD quickly volunteered to provide technical assistance for the property’s erosion control and trail maintenance. They found that it would be quicker and easier for the district to provide this expertise since their office was only 20 miles away from Roosevelt Cottage and the corresponding Canadian office was over 100 miles away. As Pennell explains, “it matters not where the needs are, or who provides the services, so long as they are well-trained and caring people.”

Collaboration with Canadian partners continues to be an important part of Washington County SWCD’s work. Cross-border relationships are maintained by a variety of partnership committees for different resource concerns. Recently, watershed efforts have been the most prominent part of these partnerships for the district. To support the St. Croix River and Penobscot River watersheds, the district has installed multiple fish lifts as part of a larger effort within the two watersheds to keep the waterways healthy and preserve Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, and other native fish species.

The Washington County SWCD has built strong relationships with partner organizations on both sides of the border. These relationships allow for stronger and more holistic conservation and continue to be fruitful for the district’s work.

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