In 1998, the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (BRCA) initiated a project to protect the Kennebec Highlands area in Rome, Mount Vernon, Vienna, and New Sharon, Maine. The Kennebec Highlands’ 6,800 acres contain the highest peaks in Kennebec County, including the summit of McGaffey Mountain, miles of pristine streams, several wetlands, and five undeveloped ponds. The area is managed in partnership with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF). The long-term goal is to protect over 11,000 acres in and around the Kennebec Highlands, providing a major regional resource for public recreation and wildlife habitat.