Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Folly Island, a preserve owned by Maine Coast Heritage Trust. It is located in Bartlett Narrows, along the western coast of Mount Desert Island. Photo: US Geological Survey.
The Maine coast is a landscape shaped by generations of people who have worked, traveled, and made their lives along the water. Its islands, shorelines, forests, and working lands have long been central to Maine's identity. Protecting these places has become an important part of the state's history, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust has helped preserve some of the coast's most distinctive landscapes for future generations.
Founded in 1970 by Peggy Rockefeller and Thomas D. Cabot, Maine Coast Heritage Trust began as an effort to protect special places along Maine's coast at a time when increasing development threatened many traditional landscapes. What began as a regional conservation effort grew into a statewide organization that works with landowners, communities, and conservation partners to protect important natural areas, working lands, and coastal access points.
From remote islands in Casco Bay to forests, farms, and shorelines throughout the state, MCHT preserves places that reflect the diversity of Maine's landscape. These conserved lands protect wildlife habitat, support local communities, and provide opportunities for people to experience the coast through hiking, paddling, boating, and quiet exploration. Many of these places also preserve connections to Maine's working traditions, including fishing, farming, and island life. There are 84 land trusts in Maine, conserving nearly 3 million acres across the state.
The work of Maine Coast Heritage Trust is built on collaboration and stewardship. Each conserved property represents a partnership between people who recognize the value of protecting special places and ensuring they remain part of Maine's shared heritage. Through decades of conservation, MCHT has helped safeguard landscapes that tell the story of Maine's relationship with the land and sea.
