TNCMaine_Summer26 - Flipbook - Page 8
Landmark Legislation Provides
Ongoing Conservation Funding
for Land for Maine’s Future
For the 昀椀rst time in the 39-year history of the Land for Maine’s
Future (LMF), the Maine Legislature has passed a law establishing
dedicated, ongoing funding for this landmark conservation
program. As the State of Maine’s primary funding vehicle for
conserving land for its natural, economic, and recreational value,
LMF helps keep Maine’s special places special—from mountain
summits and shorelines of rivers, lakes, and ponds, to coastal
islands, beaches, working forests, farmlands and wetlands.
The proposal, originally sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Teresa
Pierce and consistently championed by Governor Janet Mills,
enjoyed bipartisan support in the legislature before being included
in the supplemental budget. The new law, enacted in mid-April 2026,
will take effect in late July 2026, when an estimated $7.5 million will
begin 昀氀owing into the LMF Trust Fund in the 昀椀rst year alone.
TNC, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) and the Sportsman’s
Alliance of Maine (SAM) developed the funding strategy and led the
effort to help get the initiative across the 昀椀nish line. This milestone
represents the latest achievement in a decade-long partnership
between the three groups that formed in 2015 to restore and
strengthen the LMF program. The LMF Coalition, a diverse network
of businesses, organizations and advocates, provided key support
throughout to help secure this latest policy achievement.
“This win re昀氀ects a sustained, bipartisan effort involving partners
from every corner of the state,” said Kaitlyn Nuzzo, director
of government relations with TNC of Maine. “Senator Pierce’s
leadership was essential, and we are deeply grateful to Governor
Mills and lawmakers from both parties who continue to recognize
how important LMF is to Maine people and Maine’s economy. The
breadth of the coalition made the victory possible.”
A Major Win for Maine’s
Conservation Community
“This legislation is a conservation win for
Maine and for the people and families who
live here and those who visit—and arrives
just as LMF approaches its 40th anniversary,”
added Jeff Romano, public policy director at
MCHT. “This ongoing support will strengthen
the program’s ability to advance locally led
conservation projects that protect working
lands, wildlife habitat, water quality and public
access for hikers, snowmobilers and paddlers alike.”
“This is a historic moment for conservation in Maine,”
shared David Trahan, SAM executive director. “For more
than a decade, land trusts and sportsmen have joined
forces to revitalize the LMF program. Establishing dedicated
funding has been a shared goal for years, and this legislation 昀椀nally
delivers it. It ensures that the Maine outdoors I knew in my youth
will continue to be available for future generations of Mainers
looking to enjoy traditional outdoor activities including hunting,
昀椀shing and wildlife watching.”
A Program with Statewide Impact
Since its creation in 1987, LMF has helped protect more
than 650,000 acres, including sustainably managed forests,
productive farms, working waterfronts, critical wildlife habitat
and more than 65 public water access sites. The program has
long been recognized for its ability to leverage state dollars with
private, municipal and philanthropic support—making possible
conservation projects that would otherwise be out of reach.
LMF has garnered broad support over the years because it
respects landowner rights by acquiring land only from willing
sellers. The program also rewards projects with strong community
support and encourages collaboration between local, regional, and
statewide partners, leading to conservation outcomes that take
many different needs and interests into account.
A Decade of Collaborative Progress
The Land for Maine’s Future program ensures that visitors
can enjoy the Dodge Point public lands. © MCHT
8 | The Nature Conservancy in Maine
LMF has historically relied on intermittent bond funding. In fact,
the program went nearly a decade without new resources between
2012 and 2021. This year’s legislative win builds on a series of
recent successes achieved through the partnership MCHT, TNC,
SAM and the broader Maine land trust community formed to
reenergize this critical land conservation program. Key milestones
achieved by this partnership have been:
