The Charles and Constance Schmid Land Preserve is one of Maine's midcoast jewels. Comprised of 766 acres, it is located in the center of Edgecomb for all to enjoy. The initial land was given to the town by the Schmids in 1979, and an additional 90 acres were added in 2002 with private and foundation funding. The preserve contains many impressive natural and anthropogenic features including streams, vernal pools, meadows, cellar holes, wells, and stone walls. It has several mica quarries and many stone walls and other stone constructs with interesting histories. The preserve serves as a valuable wildlife habitat for many mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and beneficial insects. It is one of the largest contiguous land parcels in the Midcoast making it one of the region's foremost wildlife corridors.

The Schmid Preserve has over eight miles of trails which are used for hiking, trail running, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing. It is managed by an Advisory Board whose members are appointed by the Selectboard of Edgecomb. The Selectboard serves as the trustees of the Schmid Preserve. Although the town provides a small budget each year for upkeep and management of the preserve, there are many long term needs and projects requiring more funds than the town can provide.

While the Schmid Advisory Committee and its volunteers are partnering with neighboring land trusts, the costs for maintenance far exceed the budgets of any partners involved. Invasive species control and mitigation is a crucial and massive undertaking. Erosion control from usage is another costly and ongoing project. The preserve's lovely fields need yearly mowing. Trails and bridges need upkeep.

In 2022, a comprehensive management plan for the preserve was conducted by Mid-Maine Forestry to identify its resources and needs. At the suggestion of the plan, an endowment was started to make sure that this amazing place remains accessible and well managed for everyone. The endowment principal is managed by the Maine Community Foundation. The interest it earns cannot be used for anything except the Schmid Preserve. The funds in the endowment are invested in perpetuity. The endowment, which is invested through the Maine Community Foundation, produces 4% annually. Currently, the endowment's $10,000 yields just $400 yearly (only interest may be spent).

The goal is to take the pressure off of the town of Edgecomb taxpayers by adding to the endowment so that larger, critical projects and maintenance requirements can be funded when needed. All work on the preserve is currently done by volunteers. This is a grassroots effort to raise only as much money as needed to keep the preserve in shape and accessible to the public for the future. The ultimate goal would be to have an endowment of about $200,000 which would give the preserve about $8,000 a year to work with or to save for larger future projects.

To contribute to the endowment for the Schmid Preserve, go to: www.mainecf.org, click on the blue GIVE NOW button and choose Charles and Constance Schmid Land Preserve Endowment Fund from the drop down menu. Or you may mail a check made out to Town of Edgecomb/Schmid Preserve and mailed to Town of Edgecomb, P.O. Box 139, Edgecomb, ME 04556.