Maine Land Trust Program
30 Years of Support
MCHT established the Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN) in 1995—one of the nation’s first service bureaus for land trusts. The impact of our collective work continues to be felt across the state.
2.9m
acres conserved
3,450
miles of publicly accessible trail
400
water access points
40k
acres of working farmland
PARTNERS IN CONSERVATION
A Commitment to Collaboration
From MCHT’s Mount Desert Island roots to conserving land along Maine’s entire coast, we began helping to form numerous land trusts starting in the 1970s. That dedication to collaboration includes hosting the Maine Land Conservation Conference for over 40 years and continuing to support local land trusts through the MLTN. This ongoing work ensures we protect the places people love and depend on.
Today, MLTN is critical for keeping Maine’s 80+ land trusts connected, sharing knowledge, minimizing redundancy, maximizing efficiency, and advancing Maine’s conservation movement to address statewide challenges and opportunities. Working collaboratively, continually learning from one another, and leveraging our unique strengths make the impact of Maine’s land trusts exponential.
MCHT and the Maine Land Trust Network play a vital role in supporting and connecting land trusts across Maine.”
—Carrie Kinne, Executive Director, Freeport Conservation Trust
Be Part of the Movement
Donating to the Maine Land Trust Network supports the 80+ local land trusts working to strengthen Maine’s conservation movement, ensuring a lasting legacy of protected lands and vibrant outdoor traditions for all.
Where We’re Focused
These key components of the program ensure Maine’s land trusts are connected, effective, and sustainable so they can meet conservation challenges now and in the future.
Connection
MLTN staff produce biweekly emails and host the mltn.org website with job information and policy updates for Maine land trusts. The program offers in-person and online training and development opportunities, regional meetings, and other forums to discuss issues, share knowledge, and strategize. The annual Maine Land Conservation Conference, hosted by MCHT, provides Maine land trusts sought-after educational and networking opportunities.
Sustainability
We pair land trusts with direct consultant support, facilitate land trust mergers and accreditation, and create forums to examine needs and opportunities to diversify Maine’s conservation movement, redress inequities around land and access, and contribute to the health of people and communities across the state. MLTN staff administer grants that fund vital projects and serve as a help desk, connecting land trusts with project managers, stewards, and development staff at MCHT.
Community Conservation
Local land trusts continue to deepen ties with community members, achieving better conservation outcomes while cultivating new supporters. Land trusts are eager to facilitate and be part of conversations with people and communities they haven’t reached yet, and to engage diverse perspectives to challenge the status quo and inspire new ways of working together. MCHT provides resources to help land trusts engage in this collaborative work and ensure more people benefit from and appreciate conserved lands.
Public Policy
Along with The Nature Conservancy and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the state’s 80+ land trusts, and many other partners, MCHT promotes public policies that protect Maine lands, increase people’s access to the outdoors, and benefit Maine’s environment. For example, MCHT has played a leadership role in advocating for Land for Maine’s Future (LMF), the state’s most effective land conservation funding program. Maine voters and the state legislature have responded by approving more than $170 million for LMF since 1987, permanently protecting over 650,000 acres across the state.
For More Information:
Angela Twitchell
Senior Director of Community & Government Relations
(207) 607-4595
Email Angela
*MCHT reserves the right to allocate additional funds raised toward this project where most needed in accordance with our mission
Fundraising Goal: $350,000 to support Land Trust Program staff salaries, initiatives, and programming, including the land conservation conference.
Fundraising Deadline: December 31, 2026
MCHT reserves the right to allocate additional funds raised toward this project where most needed in accordance with our mission.