Call for Nominations for Espy Land Heritage Award
Nominations Due: Midnight, February 27, 2026
Each year, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) presents the Espy Land Heritage Award to an individual, organization, agency, or coalition for innovative and inspiring contributions to land conservation in Maine. The award celebrates forward-thinking strategies, creative problem-solving, and bold leadership in addressing emerging challenges. Recipients often cultivate new partnerships and spark meaningful community engagement.
The award recognizes new approaches, bold initiatives, and inspiring “of-the-moment” accomplishments that set fresh standards for conservation. Recipients often demonstrate creative problem-solving and innovative partnerships, and their work is frequently tied to a specific project, initiative, or recent set of achievements that reflect forward-thinking strategies and community engagement.
The recipient is honored at the Maine Land Conservation Conference, held in 2026 on April 28–29 at the Augusta Civic Center, and is entitled to direct $5,000 to a nonprofit organization of their choosing.
Award Legacy
The Espy Land Heritage Award is named in honor of Jay Espy, long-time President of MCHT. In 2008, the award was endowed by MCHT’s Board to celebrate Jay’s visionary leadership and collaborative spirit. During his 24-year tenure, Jay was instrumental in helping new land trusts form, building statewide capacity, and championing innovative approaches to conservation. His unwavering commitment to local, community-driven conservation continues to inspire efforts across Maine.
Last Year’s Recipient
In 2025, the award was presented to Niweskok: From the Stars to Seeds, a Wabanaki-led food sovereignty organization based in Swanville, Maine (Penobscot territory). Niweskok’s mission centers on reconnecting Wabanaki communities to the land and traditional food systems. In 2024, the group acquired a 245-acre farm featuring agricultural fields, forests, wetlands, and river access—marking its first permanent land base and a historic return to the region for Wabanaki people. This site will serve as a hub for cultural education, seed saving, wild harvesting, and intergenerational programming rooted in ancestral knowledge and sustainability.
MCHT is pleased to issue the call for nominations for the 2026 Espy Land Heritage Award. Help us recognize Maine’s outstanding conservationists by submitting a nomination today!
View listing of past Espy Land Heritage Award Recipients
View nomination questions here