Sen. Luchini supports Malcolm Hunter of Amherst for appointment to Land for Maine’s Future Board
AUGUSTA — Sen. Louie Luchini, D-Ellsworth, is pleased to announce that Gov. Janet Mills has nominated Dr. Malcolm L. Hunter Jr., of Amherst, for appointment to the Land for Maine’s Future Board. On Tuesday, the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry voted to advance Mr. Hunter’s nomination, which now faces a final confirmation vote by the Maine State Senate.
“The Land for Maine’s Future Program does so much good work for our state to make sure that we can all continue to enjoy Maine’s lands and waters in the way we have for generations,” said Sen. Luchini. “I can’t think of a more qualified candidate than Dr. Hunter to join the board as they carry out their mission. Hancock County is lucky to count him among our residents, and all Mainers will be lucky to have him serving on the board.”
Dr. Hunter holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maine in wildlife science and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Oxford University. Dr. Hunter has been a professor in the University of Maine’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Conservation Biology since the 1970s. An accomplished academic and author, Dr. Hunter’s work has focused on forest ecosystems and maintaining their biodiversity. Dr. Hunter has served on numerous boards and commissions throughout the decades, including the Governor’s Task Force on Management of Public Land, the Maine Forest Biodiversity Project and the Maine Bureau of Public Lands Silvicultural Advisory Committee. A Maine native, Dr. Hunter currently resides with his wife on their small commercial blueberry farm in Amherst.
Land for Maine’s Future is responsible for conserving Maine’s land to protect habitats, ensure public access for recreation, and to preserve farming and the natural resources that are important to Maine’s culture and economy. Since its creation in 1987, LMF has helped protect more than 600,000 acres of land, most of which is open to visitors and available for recreation such as hiking, fishing and snowmobiling. The LMF Board is responsible for developing strategies for land acquisition and for distributing proceeds from the LMF Fund in accordance with this strategy, in coordination with state agencies and the public.