Nine Land Trusts Receive Funding for Priority Conservation Projects Across Maine
L.L.Bean Maine Land Trust Grant Program surpasses $550,000 in support for local conservation since 2004.
Nine land trusts across Maine have been awarded a total of $65,000 through the L.L.Bean Maine Land Trust Grant Program, which Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) administers. Entering its 21st year, the L.L.Bean Maine Land Trust Grant Program continues L.L.Bean’s long-standing commitment to support public access, habitat protection, and outdoor recreation across the state of Maine, bringing total funding to$558,750 for 129 projects since 2004.
The 2025-2026 grants will support nine priority conservation projects spanning the state, from York to Belgrade to Grand Lake Stream. Projects will provide new recreational access, expand ADA-accessible trails, improve ecological resilience, and enhance local connections to the outdoors.
“At L.L.Bean, we believe time outside is fundamental to our wellbeing,” said Christina Semanyshyn, senior manager of partnerships and corporate giving at L.L.Bean. “Through these grants, we’re proud to help Maine communities improve and conserve these outdoor spaces for generations to come.”
“The entire land trust community continues to deeply appreciate L.L.Bean’s enduring investment in Maine’s lands, waters, wildlife, and communities,” said Angela Twitchell, senior director of community and government relations at MCHT. “As nonprofit organizations, Maine’s land trusts rely heavily on private donations and grants to carry out their work. Support from partners like L.L.Bean is essential to protecting the remarkable places that make Maine so special.”
This year’s awards reflect a broad range of community priorities, with projects that will complete activities such as:
- Adding accessible trailheads, kiosks, and bridges in Kittery and Damariscotta
- Enhancing inclusive access at preserves in York and Trenton
- Restoring storm-damaged trails on conserved lands in Downeast Maine
- Providing canoes and gear for public use in Belgrade Lakes
Award details:
- Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust – $5,000
Site walk at Earla Watson Davis property.
To construct a bridge as part of a new access road, parking area, and 2-mile multi-use hiking, mountain biking and cross-country ski trail system at a newly acquired property called Watson Woods in Cumberland.
- 7 Lakes Alliance – $4,000
To purchase paddling equipment and build a small boat rack at the public dock. in Belgrade Lakes, expanding access for those without boats. - Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust – $8,500
To build an ADA-accessible trailhead and parking area for a new 950-foot accessible trail within the 100-acre Castner Brook Community Forest in Damariscotta. - Downeast Lakes Land Trust – $6,500
To complete an extension of the Dobsis Narrows Trail across challenging and storm-damaged terrain on the 2,015-acre Lakeville Forest Tract on Sysladobsis Lake. - Frenchman Bay Conservancy – $8,500
To add visitor amenities at the 168-acre Jordan River Preserve in Trenton, including a 15–20 car parking area, an eco-friendly composting toilet, and ADA-accessible picnic tables and benches. - Kittery Land Trust – $8,500
To improve public access to the 28-acre Pettigrew Major Preserve beside Shapleigh Middle School, adding kiosks, small bridges over wet areas, and a new parking area. - Loon Echo Land Trust – $10,000
To support three to four weeks of professional trail work—stone staircases, tread hardening, and erosion control—on heavily used trails at Pleasant Mountain. - Three Rivers Land Trust – $5,500
To improve a logging road trail and restore wetlands on the west side of the 547-acre Sanford Community Forest, connecting to the
A family walks on a trail through a field at the York Land Trust Headquarters property in York, Maine.
Sanford Rail Trail.
- York Land Trust – $8,500
To make Near Point Preserve more inclusive and accessible, expanding access for people with mobility challenges and for non-English speakers.
In addition to the nine project grants, L.L.Bean provides the following awards to MCHT:
- $5,000 for administrative support of the Maine Land Trust Grant Program
- $5,000 to sponsor the Maine Land Conservation Conference, Maine’s largest annual gathering of land trust professionals and volunteers
According to Twitchell, land trusts are involved in an incredible breadth of work, from conserving important outdoor places to strengthening wildlife habitat and building trails that communities rely on. The 2025 Census Report from the Maine Land Trust Network shows that land trusts now care for nearly 3 million acres—close to 15 percent of the state—while supporting efforts that range from restoring marshes and rivers to improving fish passage and maintaining well-loved trail systems.
“The support of partners like L.L.Bean helps make this work possible,” Twitchell said. You can read the full list of L.L.Bean grants since the programs inception here.
About the Maine Land Trust Network
The Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN) enhances the quality and effectiveness of land conservation organizations across the state. Since its establishment in 1995, MLTN has served as a central hub for conservation collaboration, technical assistance, and grant administration, ensuring sustainable and impactful conservation efforts. A program of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, MLTN is led by a Steering Committee representing up to 25-member land trusts. Learn more at https://www.mltn.org/
About Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) advances the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. Since 1970, we have worked to guide the conservation movement and support a network of more than 80 land trusts. Together with partners, we’ve protected over 190,000 acres, supporting the needs of people, plants, animals, and ecosystems across the coast. We’re dedicated to ensuring that our natural areas can mitigate the effects of climate change and support all people and life for generations to come. Learn more about our work and get involved at www.mcht.org.