| Conservation Work

Now is the Time: Meet the Moment

Bold Coast Wilderness Preserve

FEATURED PROJECT

Bold Coast Wilderness Preserve

Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) and Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT) are partnering to conserve 2,037 acres of forest in the downeast region—linking large blocks of conserved land, contributing to a landscape-scale effort to protect and restore watersheds, and enabling public access for hunting, fishing, and quiet recreation.

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What We Do
Why We Do It
How We Do It

What we do

Ensure ecological wellbeing

Conserving places and ecosystems to create a healthier, more resilient Maine in a changing climate

Foster thriving communities

Working with and for communities to promote social, cultural, and economic health and increase access for all to conserved lands and waters

Catalyze Conservation

Inspiring and mobilizing people and partners to accelerate the pace, scale, and impact of conservation

Explore one of our public preserves

Explore Preserves

Why we do it

We have an opportunity as unique as Maine itself

In Maine, we are fortunate: Nature is still big and bold, and it delivers stunning reminders that we are all part of it.

But threats to nature and communities in Maine are growing and persistent. More extreme weather and rising sea levels, continued wildlife and habitat loss, and more endanger our future.

Protecting Maine’s lands and waters will help sustain life, livelihoods, and our unique connections. We must seize the opportunity—and responsibility—while we still can, while our state’s natural areas are relatively intact.

I grew up on the Maine coast, but now I live far away. It’s important for me to have the Maine coast preserved for when my children and my children’s children return.

– Garvin Heath, Boulder, CO

How we do it

We Are Building a Movement

We’re working with communities and partners to accelerate conservation statewide and achieve ambitious goals by protecting more lands and waters in Maine, caring for those places in perpetuity, and connecting more people to nature.

Collaborating

Our organization collaborates with individuals, communities, other nonprofit organizations, state and federal governments, Wabanaki Nations and entities, and others to advance conservation that meets the challenges Maine faces.

Conserving

We identify the places that matter most and conserve them for good. We do this by acquiring land or partnering with landowners to limit development and care for the land. We help native plants and animals thrive by maintaining trails and campsites, restoring habitat, cleaning beaches, and more.

Connecting

We connect people to the coast through more than 160 public preserves, plus field trips, events, and special programs — creating more ways to explore, learn, and feel at home and welcome in the outdoors.

Be part of the movement

Contribute to a future with
healthy, open lands & waters
Donate Now

Give your time to help
care for the coast
Volunteer Now

Be a champion
for conservation
Spread the Word

MLTN

Find your local land trust

Maine has over 80 land trusts that provide countless benefits to communities in every corner of the state.

Find Your Local Land Trust

The impact of your engagement since 1970

+200k

acres conserved with partners

341

coastal islands protected with partners

168

MCHT preserves open to the public

106

miles of MCHT trail to explore

Stories from the coast

Deepening Our Connections to Nature and One Another

Our stories remind us why we commit ourselves to the work of conservation. Here in Maine, nature is still big and bold enough to remind us that we are part of it. We want to make sure this remains true.