Topsham: Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a statewide land conservation organization, was awarded a $600,000 grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts and made possible by private donors in support of an innovative program designed to build conservation capacity in Maine. The Maine Land Trust Excellence Program which is being developed and implemented in partnership with the Land Trust Alliance, is designed to advance the skills and capabilities of land trusts through investments in staff and volunteer development, systems enhancement, and training. This first of its kind program will serve as a national model.

 

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to launch this program in Maine and look forward to the great benefits it will bring to people in communities across the state and the nation,” says Megan Shore, the Land Trust Program Manager for Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Local land conservation is increasingly recognized as a critical component of healthy and vibrant communities. “Our local land trust makes such a difference here in the Boothbay Harbor Region,” says Jaimie Logan, executive director of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce. “Their beautiful preserves, with miles and miles of hiking trails open to the public year-round, free of charge, not only saves these gorgeous properties for posterity, but attract tourists who come and contribute to the well-being of our local economy. Boothbay Region Land Trust’s work in preserving working waterfront also helps keep our fishing industry alive,” she says.

 

“All across the United States, non-profit conservationists are playing an increasingly vital role in the protection of our national landscape. Nowhere is this connection between people and place more dynamic than in the State of Maine. Through the Maine Land Trust Excellence Program, the Northeast Land Trust Consortium of The Pew Charitable Trusts is honored to join forces with private donors to ensure that land trusts are provided with the tools necessary to protect and steward the vital natural heritage of Maine,” notes Tom Curren of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

 

Maine was identified as an ideal state to test this new and intensive methodology due to its strong land conservation community and conservation ethic.  Maine is home to 100 land trusts serving urban, suburban and rural populations that are united in a common goal. Land trusts participating in the Maine Land Trust Excellence Program will be those identified as having the greatest potential to meet current and future community conservation needs.

 

The Land Trust Alliance, which represents more than 1700 land trusts operating across the US, sees the Maine program as a promising new model for advancing stronger land conservation in other communities. Denise Schlener, National Director for the Alliance, sees the potential public benefits from this investment: “Land conservation is an integral part of maintaining healthy communities and Maine has a long history of leadership in conservation. This innovative program will result in more effective preservation of the unique natural character and quality of life that defines Maine’s communities.

 

 

 

About Maine Land Trusts: Maine is host to 100 nonprofit land conservation organizations that conserve land for the public benefit.  Lands conserved by trusts provide habitat for wildlife, protect drinking water supplies, help maintain and restore the health of water resources, preserve scenic views, provide access for natural resource based economic activities (such as fishing), and provide opportunities for public recreation.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust (www.mcht.org) is a statewide land conservation organization committed to protecting the character of Maine.  Since 1970, Maine Coast Heritage Trust has permanently protected more than 127, 000 acres in Maine, from the Isles of Shoals to Cobscook Bay, including more than 275 entire coastal islands.  

 

The Land Trust Alliance (www.lta.org) is a national conservation group that works to save the places people love by strengthening conservation throughout America.  It works to increase the pace and quality of conservation by advocating favorable tax policies, training land trusts in best practices, and working to ensure the permanence of conservation in the face of continuing threats.  This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Alliance

 

About The Pew Charitable Trusts: The Pew Charitable Trusts (www.pewtrusts.org) is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems.  Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. We partner with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share our commitment to fact-based solutions and goal driven investments to improve society.