BERWICK — With nearly 60 people in attendance, Great Works Regional Land Trust held a special dedication ceremony to honor the work of its current president, Michael Wright, and his late wife, Dr. Michele Dionne, for their work in preserving Great Works’ new Keay Brook Preserve property on May 15.

The property, purchased in 2015, consists of 86 acres along the Salmon Falls River and Keay Brook, off Hubbard Road, that was originally slated for a 13-lot residential development. The acquisition of Keay Brook Preserve creates a 229-acre conserved block of land with nearly 2 miles of frontage on the Salmon Falls River.

Dionne was the first scientist and director of research to be employed at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. Dionne established the reserve’s research program, leading it from 1990 until her passing in July 2012.

Along with his guidance of this project to completion, Wright was recognized for his commitment. “Michael has been a lifetime board member of the GWRLT, going to countless board and committee meetings, working with others diligently in the pursuit of a cause. He has no graduate degree, he is quiet and humbly reserved, but Michael’s passionate persistence has now conserved well over 500 acres in the Town of Berwick,” said Great Works Regional Land Trust Vice President Todd Hoffman.

“Today we can hear the result of that quiet dedication to purpose blowing briskly in these tall trees we stand under. And it will be heard in another 50 years … another 100 years. Thank you, Michael Wright, for this particular nature preserve on Keay Brook in your hometown, Berwick, Maine.”