The Future Is Now

As demand for Maine land grows, there’s increasing urgency to secure continued access for recreation and commerce; to preserve open, shared community spaces; and to ensure sustainable revenue streams for both local and state economies. Join Land for Maine’s Future today.

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In 1987, Maine voters overwhelmingly approved a bond to purchase lands of significance for recreation and conservation. For over 30 years, LMF has successfully crossed ideologies, party lines and motivations to represent and protect the essence of Maine — yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Access

Public land access is the essence of Maine. LMF supports that legacy, securing perpetual land access statewide for recreation, farming, fishing and forestry.

Community

Maine communities rely on public land as a means to explore, to engage, to reset, and to survive. LMF exists because some places matter enough to preserve – for generations to come.

Economy

From acquisitions and easements to cooperative ventures, LMF projects are economic engines that produce measurable returns – with long-term benefits to the people of Maine.

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See how others are exploring LMF Destinations, land trust preserves, and other conservation areas in Maine, and share photos of your own adventures. Post your image here.

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LMF Passport

Did you participate in the LMF Passport Program last summer? Click here to redeem your passport.

Since 1987, the LMF program has helped to protect more than 600,000 acres of land in Maine. Most of these special places are open for visitors — offering access to great activities like hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and even ATV riding. Best of all, LMF’s work has been funded by the people of Maine for the past 30 years — which means LMF properties belong to all of us — forever.

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LMF works for ME

Over 150 projects have been funded to date from the Land for Maine’s Future Program. Here are just a few:

Millinocket Forest

Northern Maine · Penobscot County

Located east of Baxter State Park, the 7,910-acre Millinocket Forest is comprised of two properties that provide critical links in the region’s motorized trail network. The area is also a working landscape that supports the region’s forest product’s industry.

Noon Family Sheep Farm

Southern Maine · York County

Located in Sanford, the 72-acre Noon Family Sheep Farm markets organic lamb at select fairs and festivals through their barbecue food booth. They also sell hay, and mail order organic fleeces, natural wool yarn, and sheepskins. Frozen lamb sausage and other cuts are usually available at the farm.

Pleasant Mountain

Western Maine · Cumberland County

The 2,064-acre Pleasant Mountain Preserve includes the highest mountain in southern Maine and one of the defining landmarks of the Sebago Lake region. It provides important contiguous habitat for a variety of plants and animals, as well as resources for sustainable forestry.

Ferry Beach State Park

Southern Maine · York County

Located in Saco, the 117-acre Ferry Beach State Park offers several activities for people of all ages including picnicking, hiking, birdwatching, and swimming on a white sand ocean beach. In the winter, visitors can cross-country ski and snowshoe on the trails, or ice skate at Long Pond.

Bradbury Mountain State Park

Southern Maine · Cumberland County

Located in Pownal, Bradbury Mountain State Park attracts visitors who enjoy picnicking, hiking and camping on its 800 acres of forested land. Bradbury Mountain is also the only state park in southern Maine to offer shared-use trails for horseback riders, mountain bikers and snowmobilers.

Moran’s Landing

Western Maine · Oxford County

Located in Hanover, near the confluence of the Bear and Androscoggin Rivers, Moran’s Landing is a Mahoosuc Land Trust-owned boat launch site. One of many access points along the Androscoggin River Trail, this 4.7-acre preserve welcomes boaters and fishermen.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Program. It was 1987 when Maine voters first approved a $35 million bond to purchase lands of state significance for recreation and conservation. The goal of the program remains the same now as it did then: To secure public access for recreation, to conserve our most important habitats, to preserve Maine’s farming traditions and to protect the natural infrastructure vital to both our sense of place and our economic future.

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Latest news

Bangor Daily News: Land trusts get high marks from legislature

Mar 20, 2018

The Maine Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee has released its report on conservation lands owned by nonprofit organizations, which it was authorized to undertake by a provision in the General Fund Biennial Budget for 2018 and 2019. The report gives high marks to our land trust community and includes some interesting recommendations.

New Report: Study of Conserved Lands Owned by Nonprofit Organizations

Mar 8, 2018

In 2017, the Maine Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF Committee) was authorized to “conduct a study of the financial and nonfinancial aspects of conserved lands owned by nonprofit conservation organizations, including property taxes paid, community benefits realized and value of lands to the State’s economy.” The ACF Committee’s findings are detailed in a new report: Study of Conserved Lands Owned by Nonprofit Organizations. In the report, all thirteen members of ...

New Report: “Land Trusts Work for Maine”

Jan 24, 2018

For two years, Maine land trusts have been fending off a series of ill-conceived bills in the state legislature, each based on false assumptions questioning the value of land conservation. In “Land Trusts Work for Maine,” MLTN answers critics with actual data and real examples that illustrate how land conservation groups are expanding outdoor recreational opportunities, strengthening the tourism economy, supporting natural resource jobs, and enhancing local communities in Maine.

Bangor Daily News: How to explore Maine by snowmobile, starting in Newport

Jan 19, 2018

If you notice an abundance of pickup trucks hauling snowmobile trailers during the winter in the town of Newport, that’s because it’s a key location to hop onto miles upon miles of well-maintained snowmobile trails.

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LMF: Stronger than Ever