News - Land for Maine's FutureLand for Maine's Future

Land for Maine’s Future puts focus on community recreation

Jul 14, 2021

“[W]e’re glad to see a focus on community recreation. While there are no shortage of places to be outdoors in Maine, not everyone has one nearby. Low-income areas particularly are short on green space. Regardless of where they live, people need to get outside. They need public space, with trees and fresh air.” – Portland Press Herald Read more

State budget includes huge boost for land preservation

Jul 14, 2021

Maine lawmakers included $40 million for land conservation in the state’s newest budget, one of the biggest cash infusions to the Land for Maine’s Future program since it started more than 30 years ago. The investment comes as record numbers of people visit Maine’s outdoors and pressure builds over development and preserving sensitive areas. The budget, which passed with overwhelming support in the Legislature, includes the largest appropriation ever for the program and the biggest ...

Maine Sportsmen and Sportswomen call for LMF bond in 2021

Feb 23, 2021

The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, Maine Trappers Association, and Maine Professional Guides encourage passage of a LMF bond in 2021 as they point on the programs historic support for increased public access for outdoor recreation and the protection of valuable wildlife habitat.

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.

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.