The Campaign for Black Point
This is our chance—to protect a legacy, preserve a lake, and keep Black Point wild and open for all.
Situated on the western shore of Lake Wesserunsett between Lakewood and Sandy Beach in Madison, Black Point has been treasured by generations of lake users for its majestic trees and solitude. Its more than 3,800 feet of undeveloped shore provide a welcome area of darkness at night. The property’s extensive wetlands are rich in biodiversity and play a role in protecting lake water quality, slowing and filtering stormwater runoff before it enters the lake. Loons nest here, and all manner of wildlife use the shores, wetlands and woodlands.
Conserving Black Point means protecting the lake, keeping the land public, and ensuring future generations can walk these trails, cast a line, and add their stories to this place.
We have the opportunity to ensure Black Point, a treasured place on Lake Wesserunsett, remains forever available for all to enjoy. A favorite place for swimming, fishing, and solitude, Black Point is an integral part of the Lake Wesserunsett experience. For 45 years, the community has enjoyed open access to the property. But now, the landowners have decided to sell. Thankfully, they are prioritizing conservation of this iconic property.
If we act to conserve this 130-acre property with more than half a mile of undeveloped shoreline, we gain long-term protection of:
lake water quality by the extensive wetlands slowing and filtering stormwater runoff before it enters the lake, and lessening runoff by maintaining the forest upslope of the lake
public access to the land by boat from the lake and on foot from Route 201, hunting, fishing, walking, swimming, bird watching, kayaking an undeveloped shore.
woods and wetlands for wildlife habitat
undeveloped shoreland
a historic loon nesting site (1 of only 3 on the lake)
With your help, we will purchase Black Point to keep and enhance what we now enjoy.
“Our family has been fortunate to have a camp on Lake Wesserunsett for 65 years and donating to the Black Point Fund is a wonderful way to help protect the lake that we love. Protecting Black Point will help in preserving the lake’s water quality as well as allowing continued recreational uses of the property. It is our hope that our donation will encourage others to contribute as well. ”
“We donated to help protect Black Point, the iconic Lake Wesserunsett landmark, to keep the upland forested and the wetland functioning, and to retain where the community has the unique opportunity to boat to for a swim and picnic and walk in the woods. Ours was one of the first donations and was made to guarantee the non-refundable earnest money deposit required in the P&S.”
Somerset Woods Trustees and the Lake Wesserunsett Association are collaborating on the $350K Campaign for Black Point to support the purchase and long-term care of Black Point Preserve. Somerset Woods Trustees is the fiscal manager for the campaign, and it will be the entity to purchase and forever care for the property. Therefore, campaign donations should be made to Somerset Woods Trustees.
Give now online (below), or mail your gift to Somerset Woods Trustees, P.O. Box 833, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
Under the terms of the sales contract, we must complete the purchase no later than November 2026. We appreciate the seller’s willingness to grant us the time to fundraise and ensure the successful conservation of this special place.
Notably, donors may structure their gifts as pledge payments made over two tax years, 2025 and 2026. To discuss structuring your gift, or to make a gift of securities in support of Black Point, please contact Somerset Woods Executive Director Jennifer Brockway at 207-612-1606 or Jeff Johnson at 207-485-6600.
