PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 26, 2026
Across Maine, conservation is often considered in the context of protecting wildlife, safeguarding clean air and water, preserving working lands and waterfronts and providing access to outdoor recreation. Increasingly, conservation is also being evaluated through an economic lens. Each year, trail-related activity supports 900+ jobs and generates over $42 million in worker earnings, as well as nearly $113 million in sales in Greater Portland alone. When accounting for ripple effects across the state, these numbers increase to over 1,200 jobs, $54 million in worker earnings and nearly $142 million in total sales in Maine annually. Also, economists estimate the ecosystem services provided by land along the Portland Trails network, such as stormwater absorption, carbon sequestration and air filtration, may be worth $2-5 million annually. Conserved lands generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual benefits to the Downeast region. The best investments we can make are those that keep the landscapes, and the communities they support, thriving for the long term. ~ Jon Kachmar, Portland Trails, and Erin Witham, Downeast Conservation Network