Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land conservation organization with the mission to conserve for the public benefit the natural habitat, scenic beauty and working land of the Boothbay region. Our membership-supported organization provides free public access to nature preserves across the peninsula with over 30 miles of hiking trails. BRLT also hosts over 100 free educational events annually to connect people of all ages to the land.
The Boothbay Region Water District (BRWD) mission is to provide an adequate supply of safe public water for use by the inhabitants of the Boothbay Region. BRWD works every day to acquire, treat, and distribute clean drinking water to the residents of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Southport. Caring for the watershed that feeds into our water resources is also an important goal of the BRWD to ensure a continuous supply of clean drinking water for future generations.
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is an independent, nonprofit research institute located in East Boothbay, Maine. From the Arctic to the Antarctic, Bigelow Laboratory scientists use innovative approaches to study the foundation of global ocean health and unlock its potential to improve the future for all life on our planet.
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens mission is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants and nature through horticulture, education and research. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a people’s garden, a grassroots effort that began as a casual conversation between friends and evolved into the largest botanical garden in New England. Located on more than 300 acres along the Midcoast, the Gardens is a true Maine experience.
The Boothbay Region YMCA mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and the community, guided by Christian principles including the universal values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility through programs that will build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
The Knickerbocker Lake Association mission is to improve the quality of the Knickerbocker Lake for recreation, and to oppose actions deemed detrimental to the same.
Established in 1764, Boothbay originally encompassed the entire lower Boothbay peninsula, including what are now known as the towns of Southport and Boothbay Harbor. Fishing, boat building, maritime activities and tourism are strong components of the Boothbay economy. Boothbay’s year-round population is relatively small, just 3003 according to the 2020 census, but the population greatly expands each year during the summer season.
Boothbay Harbor split off from Boothbay and incorporated as its own town in 1889. Its downtown area boasts shops, art galleries, restaurants, marinas and recreational boating opportunities that have been a tourist attraction for centuries. The year-round population of Boothbay Harbor was 2,027 as of 2020. The population soars each year during the summer tourist season.
Southport is a small islands town connected to the Boothbay peninsula by a swing bridge. Originally known to settlers as Townsend, it separated from Boothbay in 1842. The year-round population of the island is 603. During the summer, the population booms, but not as much as its neighboring towns of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor. Fishing and tourism are important to Southport’s economy.