Maine Coast Heritage Trust Offers First Round of $4.1 Million Climate Resilience Conservation Fund
New funds available to conserve lands that protect communities from the impacts of a changing climate
Topsham, Maine – The Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) is pleased to launch the first round of applications for the Climate Resilience Conservation Fund. The fund will award approximately $4.1 million over three funding rounds to support land conservation projects across much of Maine. The funding is part of Maine’s landmark $69 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced in July 2024 and administered by the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. The fund supports conservation and restoration of natural areas that provide critical protection against storms, flooding, and erosion, safeguarding public safety and helping to protect homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure. Eligible to apply are organizations that conserve, restore or preserve land and natural resources, such as land trusts and other nonprofits; Tribal entities; municipalities; and state agencies. Applications for this round open September 3, 2025, and are due by October 22, 2025. Funding decisions will be made in December 2025.
Investing in Maine’s Future
“By protecting the lands and waters central to all life, this fund is a direct investment in public safety, economic resilience, and quality of life,” said Jennifer Melville, Climate Resilience Conservation Fund manager. “This new program helps conserve lands that act as natural defenses, supporting local economies and communities that rely on and enjoy all of nature’s benefits.” “At this moment, a number of reliable public funding sources for conservation are either out of funds, or prospects for future funding are uncertain,” said Angela Twitchell, MCHT’s senior director, Partnerships & Public Policy. “This new source of conservation funds is a critical stop-gap for many organizations working to mitigate the impacts of climate change for the benefit of Maine’s landscapes and communities.” The Climate Resilience Conservation Fund supports permanent land protection through acquisition or conservation easements—voluntary legal agreements between landowners and land conservation entities to protect land in perpetuity. In addition to strengthening climate resilience, projects may:
- Maintain clean water and public access to natural places.
- Conserve habitats that support jobs in hospitality, tourism, and ecotourism.
- Help communities attract new businesses and residents by preserving open space and increasing property values.
- Protect the natural resources of the coasts and oceans to promote public access and create jobs.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: September 3, 2025
- Informational Webinar – “CRCF Applicant Webinar”: September 15, 12:00–1:00 p.m. via Zoom (register here)
- Application Deadline: October 22, 2025
- Grant Notifications: December 15, 2025
Grants typically range from $50,000 to $250,000, and projects must close by April 2027. Future grant rounds are expected in spring 2026.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Maine’s federally recognized Tribal governments
- Municipalities and state conservation agencies
- Non-profit organizations focused on land and resource conservation
For full details and application guidelines, visit ttps://www.mltn.org/resources/regrants/crcf-fund/ or contact:
- Jennifer Melville, Climate Resilience Conservation Fund Manager: jenkmelville@outlook.com
- Angela Twitchell, MCHT, Partnerships & Public Policy Senior Director: atwitchell@mcht.org
Media contacts:
Linda Lidov, Director of Communications, Maine Coast Heritage Trust
llidov@mcht.org/ 207-607-4574
Jackie Farwell, Deputy Director, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future