PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2026
In the coming weeks, the Maine Legislature will consider whether to renew its investment in Land for Maine’s Future (LMF), a statewide initiative that has helped communities protect the landscapes that define Maine. This decision offers an opportunity to reflect on a simple truth: Investing in land is also an investment in the health, resilience and prosperity of our communities. The program has helped safeguard drinking water sources, protect the natural resources and working landscapes that fuel our economy and ensure that Mainers of all ages, abilities, interests and backgrounds enjoy access to the outdoors. Today, however, LMF has largely exhausted its available funding. Without renewed support from the Legislature, opportunities to protect the lands that matter most to Maine communities will be lost. ~ Aaron Dority, Frenchman Bay Conservancy, and Amelia Nadio, York Land Trust