MADRID TOWNSHIP – The High Peaks Alliance announced Wednesday that members and volunteers removed signs which prohibited public access to the now-conserved Keystone project lands, according to a news release from the alliance.

Matt Kusper, recreation ranger for the High Peaks Alliance, removes a posted sign recently which prohibited public access to the High Peaks Orbeton Keystones project in Madrid, Mt. Abram and Salem townships. The 2,666 acres acquired by the Bureau of Parks and Lands in May is now open to the public to enjoy for recreation, including fishing and hunting. Submitted photo

The 2,666 acres, acquired by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands in May, is now open to the public to enjoy for recreation, including fishing and hunting.

The High Peaks Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the access and conservation of the High Peaks Region. Through various initiatives and partnerships, the High Peaks Alliance works to protect the area’s natural beauty, promote outdoor recreation, and educate the community about the importance of conservation.

The property was acquired to provide access to existing bureau lands adjacent to the Appalachian Trail and includes snowmobile and hiking trails, as well as scenic sections of Orbeton and Perham streams in Franklin County, according to the release.

“This is a big day,” Roger Lambert of Strong, a co-founder of the High Peaks Alliance, stated in the release about the achievement. “Now I guess we’re pushing, I don’t know, 40,000 acres between here and Quill Hill that’s open for business. The State of Maine, we own it.”

The property is connected to the High Peaks Orbeton Keystones project in Madrid, Mt. Abram and Salem townships.

“The Keystones project creates better road access to the Mount Abraham Public Reserve Lands, opportunities for new access points along Perham and Orbeton Streams for fishing, swimming, and hand-carry boat use, a trail connection to Orbeton Cascades — a series of gorgeous waterfalls — and permanent access for hunting and other recreational activities. It also protects local ATV trails, almost five miles of Snowmobile Trail ITS-84, and the viewshed along the Appalachian Trail, located less than a half mile to the north,” according to a release.

“Now that the State owns it, the High Peaks Alliance is working with the state of Maine to help clean it up. One of the key tasks was ripping out posted signs to ensure that people could use these public lands. It’s open to use, it’s accessible, and we encourage everyone to enjoy it this hunting season and get out in the woods,” Brent West, executive director of the High Peaks Alliance said in the release.

The collaborative efforts of the High Peaks Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust and various partners have made this conservation project possible.

“Located in the heart of the High Peaks, this area is home to 10 of the 14 tallest mountains in Maine, offering a wealth of recreational opportunities. … ATV and snow sledding, hunting, fishing, hiking — there are some vistas up here that are reminiscent of the Western feel. This is a very special place that people need to explore,” according to Lambert.

To find more information on the alliance go to highpeaksalliance.org.