Land for Maine's Future
The Land for Maine's Future Program: Conserving Special Places & Bolstering Maine's Economy
The Land for Maine’s Future Program is Maine’s most popular outdoor program.
LMF Works for Maine People
- LMF has conserved lands in every Maine county, including mountain summits, rivers, lakes, wildlife habitat, forests, farms and shoreline. For a project list, visit the LMF Project Center at www.maine.gov/spo/lmf.
- LMF has protected 444,000 acres, including 247,000 acres in conservation easements, always from willing sellers. LMF conservation easements keep forests and farms working while land stays in private hands.
- LMF conservation projects are open to the public and secure access for hunting, fishing and trapping.
- LMF has conserved over 919 miles of shorefront, 113 miles of rail-trails, and over 5,800 acres of farmland, as well as valuable wildlife habitat, entire islands, and working forests.
- LMF has leveraged nearly $100 million of federal, local and private funds. Since 2000, every LMF dollar has brought in three dollars of matching funds.
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Kennebunk Plains photo by Beth Dimond |
Maine People Support LMF
Voters have overwhelmingly passed LMF bonds: $35 million in 1987, $50 million in 1999, $12 million in 2005, and $17 million in 2007.
Municipalities invest their own tax dollars in support of LMF projects.
Democrat and Republican legislators consistently show strong support for LMF.
Year after year, a broad and diverse coalition has supported LMF.
LMF serves all Maine citizens – those who fish, hike, farm, raft, bike, hunt, camp, and snowmobile.
Maine Needs LMF Now More Than Ever
- Citizens, towns and landowners from across Maine continue to approach LMF with critical conservation projects. LMF cannot help until funds are renewed.
- Subdivision and sale of working forests, loss of family farms, and sprawl all threaten Maine people’s livelihood and way of life.
- Access for recreational users is routinely being cut off across Maine.
- Maine’s economy is based on protecting its natural resources and quality of place. The Brookings report calls for renewed and consistent funding for LMF.
- Without $20-$25 million per year for LMF, Maine will continue to lose farms, forests, snowmobile trails, shoreline and hunting grounds.



