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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This is what conservation looks like.

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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:

Grand Lake Stream

Downeast Maine · Washington County

Located in northeastern Washington County, Grand Lake Stream is famous for its native land locked salmon. This world class fly fishing destination is also surrounded by more than 55,000 acres of community forest that welcomes hikers, hunters, snowmobilers, and other outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year.

Mount Blue/Tumbledown

Western Maine · Franklin County

Mount Blue State Park and the Tumbledown Mountain Public Reserve are part of more than 30,000 acres of conserved land featuring exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities.

Lakeside Orchards

Western Maine · Kennebec County

Located in Manchester, 189-acre Lakeside Orchards grows thirty varieties of apples, three varieties of pears, and crabapples. The farm also operates a retail store that sells apples, pears, cider, gift packs, delicious treats and gifts throughout the year.

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.

South Bristol Fisherman’s Co-op

Midcoast Maine · Lincoln County

The South Bristol Fisherman’s Co-op property is the single most important commercial fishing access point in Lincoln County, landing about 830,000 pounds of lobster and about 930,000 pounds of shrimp annually. Founded in 1972 by 12 local fishermen, the Co-op now serves roughly 40 boats and 70 fishermen.

Pleasant Bay

Downeast Maine · Washington County

Located in Addison, Pleasant Bay is home to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s newest wildlife management area. The Pleasant Bay area provides extraordinary public recreational opportunities, including kayaking, canoeing, birdwatching, hiking, hunting, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

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