BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 7, 2021
Many of us have been working to pass a Land for Maine’s Future bond for several years now. The timing hasn’t worked in our favor. But this year, things could be different. From mountain summits to shorelines, beaches, forests, wildlife habitat of all kinds, farmland and even wetlands, LMF has accomplished the conservation of some of Maine’s most special places. Some complain that conservation takes land off the tax rolls. The truth is nearly 95% of all land trust conserved lands are still on the tax rolls. Others ask about LMF’s impacts on Maine’s traditional natural resource industries. LMF has often helped to protect the economic value associated with working landscapes. LMF is required to allow traditional public access including hunting, fishing, and trapping. The program is a jewel for Maine sportsmen and women. Let’s come together and fund it again this year. ~ James Cote