Land for Maine’s Future Board Issues Call for Proposals

On October 4, the LMF Board approved changes to its Workbook and will soon be issuing a call for proposals to fund new Conservation and Recreation proposals as the program begins to invest the $40 million that Governor Mills and Maine lawmakers approved in July. A separate call for proposals is expected this winter for working waterfront and working agriculture projects.

The Board announced two rounds within this call for proposals:

• Round A (Statewide Significant Projects Only)
  • November 15, 2021 – Inquiry Forms due no later than 5:00 p.m.
  • December 30, 2021 – Final Proposals due no later than 5:00 p.m.
  • Late January 2022 – Board scheduled to announce grant awards.
• Round B (Statewide Significant and Community Projects)
  • December 6th, 2021 – Inquiry Forms due no later than 5:00 p.m.
  • April 1st, 2022 – Final Proposals due no later than 5:00 p.m.
  • Late May 2022 – Board scheduled to announce grant awards.

LMF defines Projects of Statewide Significance to include “lands with one or more resources that are rare and/or exceptional in Maine based on published report(s), database(s), or credible testimony and/or the recreational activity associated with the parcel will frequently and routinely attract users to travel to the land from across the state or even from out-of-state to the parcel.”

The program defines Community Conservation Projects as “projects of local or regional significance that promote one or more of the following: public outdoor recreational access to land and waters, including for underserved populations; public health; connection between conserved lands and population centers; local or regional agriculture; conservation of cultural and historical resources on undeveloped lands; protection of lakes, rivers or streams; conservation of fish or wildlife habitat; protection of public drinking water supplies; conservation of community forests; local economic development; opportunities for environmental learning; nonmotorized transportation options; or other priorities as determined by the board.”

The LMF Workbook outlines what land trusts need to do if they are interested in applying for a grant, including how to work with a designated state agency and how to evaluate a project’s readiness. You can find a link to the updated LMF Workbook here.

LMF Director Sarah Demers will be participating in upcoming MLTN Regional Meetings to provide additional information. Please contact Jeff Romano if you have any questions.