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Days to Go in the Largest Coastal Conservation Campaign in Maine’s History

November 8, 2019 |

Limited public Access to the coast, a changing climate, and loss of beloved lands: these threats to the coast inspired Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s $125 million Campaign to keep the coast open, healthy, working, and beautiful into the future. Since 2014, every donation to Maine Coast Heritage Trust has been in support of this effort. Over 7,000 have contributed. Through their generosity, kids in Machias got to keep their sliding hill, clammers can get to work at Woodward Point in Brunswick, and Owls Head’s Monroe Island is now a public preserve with trails and campsites.

Visitors arrive onshore at Monroe Island Preserve in Owls Head

These are just three examples of the nearly 200 projects the Campaign has made possible so far. And here are some more stats: over 11,000 acres conserved (twice the size of Camden Hills State Park), including over 50 miles of shoreline (the distance from Portland to Damariscotta).

The fundraising goal—and all it will make possible for the coast—has not yet been realized. To encourage others to give, the Bass Family generously donated $10 million to the effort, and offered to match every $3 with an additional $1. As of November 1, 2019, more than 4,000 people had taken advantage of the match. There’s still time to take advantage of the match and to be a part of this historic Campaign, which concludes on December 31, 2019. Update 12/18/2019: The Bass Match concluded on December 16, 2019.

Learn more about the Campaign and make your gift today.

More Stories from the Coast

In My Words

Angela Twitchell, Land Trust Program Director, shares insights from her tenure as the Executive Director of Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust.

Embracing Growth: A Year of Reflection and Planning for Future Success

Kate Stookey, president and CEO at Maine Coast Heritage Trust, introduces a new MCHT publication and shares information about the organization’s strategic planning process.

In Memoriam

All of us at Maine Coast Heritage Trust mourn the passing of Peter Blanchard, a true champion for the Maine coast.

Love of Place

“This place, and the people who also call this place home, made me who I am and instilled in me a desire to care for this land and the lives and livelihoods it supports. For me, that’s what conservation is all about.”

Birth of a New Era at Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields

Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields require much-needed investment to make them safer, more efficient, and more inclusive community preserves. How do we extend access to the special experiences they offer?