The Future Is Now

As demand for Maine land grows, there’s increasing urgency to secure continued public access for outdoor recreation; to conserve open, shared community spaces; and to strengthen natural resource businesses that are critical to our economy. Support 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.

It’s your Maine. Start exploring.

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

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Passport to Maine’s Outdoors

Thanks to the LMF program, a network of land trusts, and our proud conservation traditions, Maine has hundreds of outdoor places for all of us to treasure and share. This year, invite your friends and family to discover some of the state’s most beautiful outdoor destinations, including thirty-six featured on the Passport to Maine’s Outdoors. LMF Coalition is partnering with the Maine Land Trust Network and L.L. Bean to sponsor this passport. Plan your next outdoor adventure today!

Passport to Maine’s Outdoors

Click here for the list of 2018 Winners of Our Passport to Maine’s Great Outdoors Contest

LMF works for ME

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.

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

Kennebunk Plains

Southern Maine · York County

The Kennebunk Plains is 1,758 acres of grasslands, blueberry fields, and pitch pine-scrub oak barren. This area is home to rare species including black racer snakes, grasshopper sparrows, upland sandpipers, and northern blazing star flower. A network of trails and dirt roads welcomes birdwatchers, dog walkers, and hikers.

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.

Port Clyde Fishermen’s Cooperative

Downeast Maine · Hancock County

The Port Clyde Fishermen’s Cooperative wharf supports the lobstering activities of co-op members, and a portion of the property is also leased to a family-owned and operated bait processing facility that provides bait to fishermen throughout the area.

Winter Hill Farm

This small, family farm operates a small farmstead creamery producing raw milk, yogurt, and artisanal cheeses.

Branch Lake Public Forest

Downeast Maine · Hancock County

Located in Ellsworth, the 239-acre Branch Lake Public Forest is part of a 1,164-acre conservation area that includes a 3.1-mile network of hiking trails and a hand carry boat launch site. Excellent fishing opportunities for salmon, togue, and bass.

Davis Wharf

Downeast Maine · Hancock County

Located in Goose Cove in the town of Tremont, Davis Wharf is a family-owned property that supports up to 12 commercial fishermen. LMF grant funds helped finance numerous wharf infrastructure improvements, including installing a large float and ramp to allow better access between tides.

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

Land for Maine’s Future coalition hosts event with members of the Maine Legislature

May 29, 2019

In May, the Land for Maine’s Future coalition hosted an event with members of the Maine Legislature. Click below to watch videos from our panelists explaining more about their businesses and organizations and how they each are working to enhance traditional public access to Maine’s outdoors and to preserving the lands upon which our natural resource economy relies.

Portland Press Herald: Coalition calls for state to borrow funds to get conservation ‘back on track’

Mar 6, 2019

There is strong, bipartisan support in the Legislature and from the administration of Gov. Janet Mills for a bond package to support the LMF program, which is geared toward protecting public access to recreational lands or preserving valuable farmlands and working waterfronts. Since 1987, the program has protected from development more than 1,200 miles of shoreline, 9,700 acres of farm land and more than 570,000 acres of conservation and recreation lands.

WCSH: Conservation groups asking for bond for land and parks

Mar 5, 2019

Maine voters may get the chance to decide if they want to put more money into protecting land and working waterfront. Several conservation groups, including the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine and Maine Coast Heritage Trust, have teamed up with legislators to propose new funding for Land for Maine’s Future.

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.

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LMF: Stronger than Ever

The Future Is Now

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It’s your Maine. Start exploring.

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Passport to Maine’s Outdoors

LMF works for ME

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