STATE — Fifteen projects totaling $619,000 will conserve more than 50,000 acres and create land conservation easements across the state with funding through Maine Community Foundation’s (MaineCF) Maine Land Protection grant program. The grant program awarded $145,000, while donors with advised funds at MaineCF contributed an additional $474,000. 

“We are incredibly thankful to the generous individuals who partnered with MaineCF to fund some amazing projects in this grant round, all of which will ensure that more people will have access to Maine’s special places, our amazing landscape, and water resources,” said Maggie Drummond-Bahl, director of philanthropy at MaineCF.  

 Local organizations that received funding include Greater Lovell Land Trust Inc., to protect a forested landscape of 1,300 acres in the Kezar River Corridor with conservation, climate resilience, and regional connectivity value: $50,000; and the Mahoosuc Land Trust, to acquire Tumbledown Dick Mountain, a 978-acre ecological and recreational regional resource, connecting critical habitats in the Mahoosuc Region: $50,000. 

The Maine Land Protection grant program was launched in 2020, and has awarded $914,000 to 24 projects in its first two years. The program will accept proposals for 2022 grants beginning on June 1. The Maine Land Protection program focuses specifically on larger land acquisition and conservation easement projects, and prioritizes proposals that create or expand access to land and water for underserved people and communities. 

Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, Mars Hill, and Rockport, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to provide strong investments, personalized service, local expertise, and strategic giving to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.