At a meeting between National Audubon Society, Maine Audubon Society and Kieve-Wavus Education Inc. on Dec. 1, the groups decided to delay any formal, long-term agreement regarding the future of Hog Island until Friends of Hog Island has an opportunity to get on their feet.
“To say we’re thrilled would be an understatement,” said FOHI President Juanita Roushdy. “We’re grateful for this opportunity to prove ourselves.”
The announcement follows several tense weeks during which local Audubon members were concerned that Hog Island, a $5 million property off the coast of Bremen, might be given to Camp Kieve, a Nobleboro-based nonprofit.
National Audubon is still working on the exact timeline, but for the time being the property will remain under Audubon control.
“We’re taking a pause,” said Judy Braus, National Audubon Sr. Vice President of Education and Centers. “No matter what we do in the future, we want FOHI to be a part of it.”
Currently plans involve transferring ownership of Hog Island from Maine Audubon to National Audubon early next year; the two are separately incorporated and financially independent organizations, Braus said.
This fits with Maine Audubon’s hopes, because they were running a $100,000 per year deficit on the island through much of the last decade, Maine Audubon officials said last month.
Then FOHI will be given time to demonstrate a financially viable business model for the future of the island. If they can do this, the island will likely remain under Audubon ownership, Braus said.
If not, National Audubon will pursue other long-term solutions. One of the options Audubon explored previously was transferring ownership of Hog Island to Kieve. Rumors of the possibility of transferring ownership stirred anxieties among Mid-Coast Audubon (an affiliate of Maine Audubon) members, who were concerned about losing the property, which has been under Audubon control for almost 75 years.
“Whatever else happens,” Braus said, “we want to make sure that the island is protected in perpetuity and we have a financially sustainable business model.”
Summer programming for next year will remain unaffected by the decision, Braus said. Audubon will also continue to work with Kieve. The two have shared an informal working relationship for decades, and will continue to share resources, she said.
Henry Kennedy, third-generation Kieve Director, said that Kieve is happy with the decision and looks forward to continuing their work on the island, which includes providing some facilities for Audubon camps, and using Audubon resources to help expand Kieve’s environmental education programs.
