Land for Maine's Future Program

About the Land For Maine's Future Program

“We live in a time of historic change on the landscape, one that presents a singular opportunity to shape the character of the Maine landscape and the quality of Maine life for generations to come.”

— Increasing the Return on a Sound Public Investment, 2004

The Land for Maine's Future program seeks to conserve lands that have exceptional recreational or ecological value along with working lands for farms, forests, tourism, and working waterfronts. These lands are the foundation for Maine’s natural resource-based economy.

In 1987, citizens voiced their desire to have Maine's most special places held forever in the public trust for all to enjoy. The Maine Legislature created the Land for Maine’s Future program to secure traditional public access to Maine's lands and waters and to maintain the quality and availability of natural resources important to the economy and heritage of Maine people.

“The Legislature declares that the future social and economic well-being of the citizens of this State depends upon maintaining the quality and availability of natural areas for recreation, hunting and fishing, conservation, wildlife habitat, vital ecologic functions and scenic beauty and that the State, as the public's trustee, has a responsibility and a duty to pursue an aggressive and coordinated policy to assure that this Maine heritage is passed on to future generations.”
—5 MRSA §6200

Since its creation, the Land for Maine’s Future program has helped acquire more than 532,000 acres from willing sellers, including 290,000 acres protected through conservation easements. (Conservation easements can ensure public access while keeping land in private hands.) These lands include more than 1,000 miles of shorefront and 158 miles of rail-trails as well as valuable islands, rivers, mountain tops, and wildlife habitat. In addition, Land for Maine’s Future has conserved a quarter of a million acres of working, commercial forestland supporting 2,200 woods and mill jobs and 29 farms (8,000 acres of farmland) to sustain the state’s agricultural economy. It has saved coastal access for nearly 1,000 fishing families, landing 16 million pounds of seafood and $40 million in income annually

The Land for Maine’s Future program is funded with bonds approved by Maine voters and the Legislature. Since its inception, voters have approved $126 million for land conservation. By requiring a match of private funds, the program has successfully leveraged more than $126 million from other sources to bolster public funds. Key funding partners include nonprofit organizations, foundations, cooperating landowners, and federal agencies. Since 2000, the Program has secured a match of $2.5 for every dollar expended.

An 11-member board administers the program funds. It consists of six private citizens (appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate) and four commissioners representing the state departments of Agriculture, Conservation, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and Marine Resources, and the director of the State Planning Office. All board meetings are open and the Board encourages public participation.

Anyone may submit a proposal for consideration. A proposal workbook outlines the application process and staff can assist applicants.

The Land for Maine’s Future program works with land trusts, municipal conservation commissions, local governments, private nonprofit charitable organizations, and private foundations throughout Maine to identify and steward conserved properties. Every proposal must be sponsored by one of the participating state natural resource agencies. Title and stewardship are maintained by the agency or the property owner. The Land for Maine’s Future Program does not own any land.

The Land for Maine’s Future program funds these types of conservation projects:

Conservation and Recreation: Emphasizing public access for outdoor recreation, working landscapes, wildlife habitat, and ecological integrity

Water Access: Small parcels for boat ramps, hand-carry launch sites, swimming and fishing access
Farmland Protection: Purchase of development rights and fee interests in productive, active farmland
Working Waterfront Protection: To safeguard commercial marine fishing access