Call for Nominations for Espy Land Heritage Award
Nominations Due: Midnight, March 3, 2025
Each year, Maine Coast Heritage Trust presents the Espy Land Heritage Award to an individual, organization, agency, or coalition for exemplary conservation efforts in Maine. The award recognizes those who make outstanding contributions to land conservation in Maine while inspiring others. The recipient of the award is recognized at the annual Maine Land Conservation Conference and is entitled to direct $5,000 to the non-profit organization of their choosing. This year’s Conference will take place on April 30 at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta.
The Espy Land Heritage Award is named for long-time President, Jay Espy, and in 2008 it was endowed by Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s Board in his honor. The Board sought to celebrate Jay’s vision and leadership for land conservation and his spirit of collaboration. In his early days at MCHT, Jay was instrumental in helping new land trusts form and his commitment and passion for land conservation as a local process was unwavering during his 24 years at the Trust.
In 2024, Lee Dassler was given the award. Lee has worked at Western Foothills Land Trust (WFLT) for more than twenty years, as its executive director for most of that time. Under Dassler’s leadership, Western Foothills Land Trust conserved more than 9,000 acres of land across eight communities, securing public access for hiking, snowmobiling, flyfishing, and much more. But more than that, Lee has been immensely effective in bringing together diverse people from across the community in support of land conservation outcomes designed to improve the day-to-day lives of people and families. As the plaque presented to Lee explained, Lee was chosen for the award “for her unbridled enthusiasm, creative vision, collaborative spirit, and patient determination to share the wonder, beauty, and restorative qualities of Maine’s Western Foothills and the waters that flow through them with all.”
Today, MCHT is pleased to issue the call for nominations for the 2025 Espy Land Heritage Award. Recognize your favorite Maine conservationist by nominating them for the award this year!
View listing of past Espy Land Heritage Award Recipients
View and fill out the online nomination form.