BUCKFIELD — The Androscoggin Land Trust has closed on its acquisition of 20 acres of land in its Jersey Bog Conservation Area, according to a release issued by the trust Tuesday.

The acquisition comes as part of a mitigation plan for the impact of a new store in Turner Village planned by Hannaford Bros.

The land trust partnered with Hannaford to identify high quality wetland areas to conserve that were close to the Nezinscot River. This effort led to the upstream area around Jersey Bog, where the trust already conserves 615 acres, the release stated.

According to the release, the Jersey Bog ecosystem is part of a 5,000-acre focus area designated by the board of Androscoggin Land Trust due to its statewide ecological significance.

In addition to a diverse wetland complex, the Maine Natural Areas Program identifies Jersey Bog as containing an exemplary northern white cedar swamp as well as a state-listed rare plant species and critical deer wintering areas. This new parcel protects important shoreline along Lincoln Pond and some of the most critical sections of the cedar swamp.

“Even in times of limited public funding to conserve some of our region’s most unique ecological areas, innovative partnerships like this help advance shared interests,”  Jonathan LaBonte, Androscoggin Land Trust executive director said in a prepared statement.

“The willingness of Hannaford to work with us to identify high value conservation options as they permitted their new store and plans to bring significant jobs to the region is a win-win.”

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