BANGOR DAILY NEWS • April 12, 2021
Access to woods, ponds, the ocean and other beloved natural areas is something that most Mainers treasure. But that access is not always guaranteed, especially if it stems from a handshake agreement. Some landowners are restricting access due to those riding motorized vehicles such as snowmobiles and ATVs, which are prohibited on many hiking trails. Land trusts, which conserve privately owned land, play a critical role in making sure public access to private land is not lost. That’s the case around the country, but even more so in Maine, where only 6.5 percent of land is owned by federal, state or local governments. It’s the smallest percentage in New England. Conservationists are in a race against time to ensure access. The real estate boom and climate change are increasing the pressure.