Gail Roller, KCT’s Veteran Gardener

By Shelley Wigglesworth

Former Trust Board Member Gail Roller moved to Maine after graduating from college in 1972. She and her late husband Mark became Kennebunkport residents in 1979 and raised their children here.

Roller said she became involved with the Trust over 40 years ago. “When we moved into our neighborhood, we became friends with Natalie and Steve Emmons. We shared their love of nature, land preservation and conservation. Steve introduced us to KCT. Over the years, our involvement with KCT grew. I have volunteered at every sort of fundraiser, helped blaze the first walking trails, was active on the board for many years, and I am now a Trustee and a volunteer gardener.”

As the Trust has grown, Roller said a multitude of opportunities for volunteer involvement have evolved, and anyone with a skill or passion is able to share their knowledge and abilities with the Trust. Her passion is gardening, and opportunities for this skill are plentiful at the KCT. “I love gardening. I completed the York County Master Gardener program in 2012, though before completing the program, I was already the veteran gardener at the Emmons Preserve Headquarters. In the last 4 years, two additional gardeners, Kate Adams and Lynn Jourdan have joined me.”

Roller said her work with plantings, flowers and garden projects at the Trust headquarters began when Natalie and Steve Emmons were still alive before they donated the land to KCT. She explained. “I would often help Natalie weed her rock garden, and Steve taught me the names and habitats of many of the wildflowers growing on the property. When the headquarters building was completed in 2005 with the help of Helene from Black Rock Farm we established the first garden along the side deck, just in time for my daughter’s wedding, which was the first of many to be held at the headquarters.”

In the ensuing years, Roller maintained the deck garden, the Emmons family gardens, and the shrub plantings, singlehandedly until 4 years ago when Adams and Jourdan joined her. “Together the three of us have accomplished so much by expanding, improving, and maintaining the existing gardens. In 2021 we added a gorgeous new garden behind the Trust building. Brian Fairfield did the stonework for it. We planted a perennial garden there which attracts thousands of pollinators and a pesky, yet adorable, woodchuck.”

The trio of women has also initiated and executed four successful Perennial Plant Sales as fundraisers for KCT.

Roller said plans for the next gardening project is a raised garden along the front of the building. “Our goal is to have Brian (Fairfield) build a stone enclosure and we intend to fill it with beautiful shade loving perennials.”

When it comes to volunteer gardening at the Trust, Roller said it is meaningful work to her to her for many reasons. “This is my neighborhood. Natalie and Steve were close friends, and our family spent a lot of time walking the trails together over the years. Working at the headquarter gardens helps keep those good memories close. I also love getting dirt under my fingernails, the satisfaction of seeing things grow, and creating something of beauty to share with others. And I especially enjoy the camaraderie of working with my talented gardening partners, Kate, and Lynn. Conversing with people as they come and go from the building is also fun. It is satisfying to be affiliated with an organization that is doing so much for the community. We all have our niche, and together we are part of something truly amazing.”

Speaking about her thoughts regarding the Trust, Roller said: “One of the things I like best about KCT is that it is always evolving. The mission has expanded over the years. Initially, our focus was to just preserve land for public use before it was all developed. KCT has now preserved over 2,800 acres, we have miles of hiking trails, a lighthouse, our own education programming, and a partnership with The Climate Initiative. There is no end to what likeminded, dedicated, and talented individuals can accomplish. I am happy and proud to be part of this organization.”