MWWT Becomes Pierce Pond Watershed Trust After Overwhelming Vote

Augusta, Maine (January 8, 2020) — The Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust will henceforth be known as the PIERCE POND WATERSHED TRUST. The new name had been suggested in order to ensure that our public identity accurately reflects our mission, which is “to protect the wild character, natural resources, and scenic beauty of the Pierce Pond watershed and preserve traditional public recreational use of the area.”

The question was put out to the membership for a vote via a mailing in September 2019, and the numbers tell the story. Nearly half the membership---199 members---submitted their votes on whether or not the Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust should change its name to the Pierce Pond Watershed Trust. There were a total of 187 "Yes" votes, 8 "No" votes, and 4 "Maybe" votes. A large number of emphatic comments were also submitted, such as “Should have done this a long time ago,” “I would have joined years ago if I’d known the focus was Pierce Pond,” and “YES! Change the name!!!” The list of votes and accompanying comments were submitted to the Board of Directors for consideration at their October 30, 2019 Board meeting, after which a vote was held. The ayes prevailed.

Doing Business As

The name change will be a DBA or "doing business as" change, which is a common way to be able to operate under an alternative name. "Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust" will continue to be the legal name of the Trust, which ensures that any pre-existing legal instruments retain their validity. This includes not only deeds and easements, but bequests, insurance policies, and other devices designed to bequeath gifts to the Trust. But our public presence will be "Pierce Pond Watershed Trust."

The new name will be phased in incrementally over the next year as the Trust is able to transition materials, etc.