A statewide nonprofit has announced the latest in a string of island acquisitions to protect and preserve undeveloped land off the Maine coast.

The Maine Coast Heritage Trust announced last week that it has acquired Sheep Island, a 59-acre plot of land located in West Penobscot Bay off the coast of Owls Head.

In a statement, trust officials said Sheep Island will be protected from development and become a public preserve. The statement described the island as popular with boaters, given its proximity to Owls Head Harbor.

The trust has acquired several islands for preservation over the past year, including the 225-acre Monroe Island and 47-acre Ash Island. The trust’s statement also noted it is working with Owls Head to create the Richard Carver Harbor Park, which will promote commercial and recreational activity in the harbor. 

“All of these conservation projects together have made this an incredible part of the coast to explore,” said Amanda Devine, the trust’s regional land steward. “You can park in town, put a kayak in the water at Richard Carver Harbor Park, paddle to Monroe to camp overnight, then paddle over to Sheep Island for a picnic. More skilled paddlers can navigate the strong currents around Ash Island.”

The trust recently announced a similar acquisition of Little Whaleboat Island in Casco Bay. 

Sheep Island went up for sale in 2020, with an asking price of $1.95 million. The trust immediately began a fundraising campaign to purchase the island. The money came from more than 50 donors, some of them anonymous, the trust said in its statement.

According to the trust, members will visit the island and clean up derelict lobster traps and other trash from the island starting in 2022. The trust plans to create a long-term plan that will include making the island into a preserve for public use.