AUGUSTA, Maine – The Land for Maine’s Future Board has announced a call for proposals for land conservation projects, with approximately $4.5 million in Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) funds available for new projects.
Projects will be funded in conservation and recreational lands, farmland protection and public access to Maine Waters, for boating, fishing and swimming.
Proposals that seek to protect deer wintering areas will receive priority consideration in scoring. These are habitat areas that provide shelter and food for white-tailed deer during months of severe cold and deep snow. This new emphasis on deer habitat originated in the statute which authorized the bond funds approved by voters in 2012.
At its May 16 meeting, the Board adopted guidelines for this funding round. Applicants are encouraged to read the “Proposal Workbook,” posted on the LMF website at http://www.maine.gov/dacf/lmf/index.shtml.
Proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m., September 1, 2017. Eligible applicants include cities, towns and counties, state agencies and nonprofit land conservation organizations. All proposals must be sponsored by one of the following: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or Maine Historic Preservation Commission.
The LMF program works with citizens, land trusts, businesses, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and federal and state agencies to identify special lands to accomplish the State’s goals for resource conservation and protection of working forests, farms and waterfronts. The program is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and is supported by bonds approved by Maine voters.
For information contact: Sarah Demers, Director, Land for Maine’s Future Program, sarah.demers@maine.gov, 207-287-7576.
