What do the Hidden Valley Nature Center, Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance and Pemaquid Watershed Association have in common?

Soon, it might be more than being a nonprofit focusing on conservation and education, Midcoast locations and green logos featuring trees and/or water fowl.

The five local land trusts and associations may soon be joining forces to become a single entity which could potentially make the as-yet unnamed entity the largest conservation association by acreage in the Midcoast.

The merger will still need to be finally approved by each association, but if it is completed, the newly-merged super land trust would encompass a 7,000-acre swath of the Midcoast, including large portions of the Damariscotta and Pemaquid watersheds and a large chunk of the Sheepscot River watershed.

For comparison's sake, Boothbay Region Land Trust has approximately 1,400 acres under its protection and Damariscotta River Association has approximately 1,000 acres.

Jody Jones, executive director for Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, said the merger's beginning took place about a year and a half ago.

“It actually started when a small group of executive directors went out for a lunch meeting,” she said. “We started talking and we all realized that we had so much in common and we all faced the same problems. We felt that we didn't have enough time to do the things we are good at.”

That group of executive directors, which Jones said was nicknamed the Explorers, began seriously exploring what would happen if the different groups became one. Soon an attorney, a CPA and a facilitator were brought in to oversee the possibility of a merger.

“In the end we agreed that it would be a much more unified, sustainable and dynamic (organization),” Jones said

Jones said that by combining and streamlining the administrative aspects of the different organizations, it would at the same time allow each branch more time to focus on its core mission.

So far, four of the five boards have approved the merger unanimously with Pemaquid Watershed Association actually voting it down, 6-5.

Jones said that the members of the association have petitioned the board to be allowed to vote on the merger. That vote will be Aug. 31 while Sheepscot Valley's members will vote Aug. 4 and Damariscotta Lake's members will vote Aug. 6. Sheepscot Wellsprings members will vote Sept. 20.

Andy McEvoy, HVNC director said that there will be changes, but things in Jefferson shouldn't change too much.

“People can expect more of the programming that they love at HVNC,” he said in an email. “The same goes for all the participating organizations – the idea here is to build on the successes of each organization. The Nature Center will continue to serve as a hub for outdoor recreation of all kinds and for educational opportunities that connect people to nature.

“As a result of expanding HVNC's community I would anticipate some new programs cropping up, but we'll have to wait and see.”

The organization structure of the new alliance will also be shaken up. Two board members from the five participating associations along with eight new members will be picked to form a new 18-member board of directors, along with a newly formed board committee. The five existing organizations will also retain a 12-person council. In addition to the boards and councils, there will be a 10-person full-time professional staff.

The merger could potentially lead to increased funds via grants, according to a release from DLWA. If the newly-formed alliance is formed it could become accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, which would allow the alliance to seek grants and pursue fundraising. The release also stated that by combining, the boards would reduce administrative overlap.

By combining forces, the new alliance will also have the benefit of not competing for the same resources according to the DLWA's website.

Currently the merger organization does not have a name, but Jones said the organizations are collecting names from the members.

Jones said that she believed if successful, the merger could be the future for conservation alliances.

“I honestly think that it could be not just the model for Maine, but nationally this could be the future for grassroots (organizations),” she said. “It's going to be more effective, and we're all extremely excited about it.”