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Land Preservation Projects in Maine

Maine, known as the "Pine Tree State," has a rocky coastline, low-rolling mountains, an interior rich with woodlands and scenic waterways. Maine's natural beauty and diverse ecosystems have prompted several organizations to undergo land preservation projects. These organizations are run by both government and philanthropic nature conservancy programs, and aim to preserve the state's natural beauty and resources.

Land for Main's Future
- Maine is home to many different kinds of tree.
  
  In 1987, Maine's state legislature created the Land for Maine's Future program. This program's goal is to secure traditional public access to Maine's lands and waters, and to maintain the quality and availability of natural resources. The program aims to secure lands, through purchase or conservation easements, for conservation and recreation. Land for Maine's future program has acquired lands that include more than 1,000 miles of shore front, 158 miles of trails, and many islands, rivers, mountain tops, and wildlife habitats. All are now preserved for public enjoyment and use.
Sweet Water Trust
- Founded in 1992, Sweet Water Trust has worked throughout the Northern Appalachian region to protect ecologically significant wetlands. Sweet Water Trust has recently focused on one of Maine's natural areas, Alder Stream/Piscataquis River wetland complex. This complex is made up of over 20,000 acres of natural areas. The preservation project is a partnership between Sweet Water Trust; Northeast Wilderness Trust; a private landowner, Charles Fitzgerald; Maine Farmland Trust; and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The goal is to link and consolidate the various land ownerships in order to enhance the ecological integrity and long-term viability of the landscape as a whole.
Northeast Wilderness Trust
- The Northeaster Wilderness Trust raised $1M to save the Howland Reasearch Forest from being logged.
  
  The Northeast Wilderness Trust's mission is to conserve land for nature and people. One of the trust's projects included the purchase of 550 acres of the Howland Research Forest. Since 1987, the Howland Forest has hosted scientists from around the world for studies on forest health and climate change. Thanks to the Trust's activities, the land will be available into perpetuity to ensure the future of many different research programs.
The Nature Conservancy
- The Nature Conservancy was established in 1951 with a mission to "preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive." The organization works in 33 countries and all 50 states. Their projects based in Maine include the Moosehead Forest Project, which will permanently conserve more than 400,000 acres near Moosehead Lake; the Lower Penobscot Forest Project, which is working to conserve more than 42,000 acres along the lower Penobscot River; and The Kennebec Estuary Project, which strives to project one of Maine's most significant natural waterways.

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