PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 14, 2021
Land for Maine’s Future has helped protect more than 600,000 acres in a variety of fairly parks, preserves, trail systems and community forests known mostly to the people who live nearby. Those green spaces have proved their worth, giving people penned in by the pandemic a place to find relief. With tens of millions of dollars set to flow into land conservation, communities throughout the state now have an opportunity to add more parks and trails where they are needed – where residents of all backgrounds can take in the outdoors. The recently passed state budget includes $40 million for Land for Maine’s Future, a record infusion for the 30-year-old program. The LMF board of directors will meet in the coming weeks to begin reviewing projects. The budget language says they should emphasize projects that address climate change, save deer-wintering areas and promote community-focused recreation.