Sen. Breen joins conservation task force

Posted: June 01, 2018 | Senator Breen

AUGUSTA — On Monday, Sen. Cathy Breen, of Falmouth, joined with a diverse group of individuals and organizations to form a new task force to explore the future of conservation efforts in Maine and build on previous success. The group plans to meet five times, get public buy-in and produce a final report, which will be released in early 2019.

“As a district made up of coastal communities, my constituents know first-hand the benefit of conservation efforts so Maine people can enjoy our natural resources year round. It’s why land trusts and the Land for Maine’s Future Program have become incredibly popular over the past thirty years,” said Sen. Breen. “I am honored to be invited to participate in this task force as we as we look towards the future of land conservation in Maine. We must continue this work to protect and preserve our natural resources so they can be enjoyed by future generations.”

The task force is chaired by David Trahan, Executive Director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, and Tim Glidden, President of Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Membership also includes a number of different stakeholders from both the public and private sector, and across the political spectrum.

The group is set to focus on the following priorities:

  • Identifying land and water conservation initiatives that reflect the evolving priorities of Maine people and communities;
  • Improving public access to existing conservation lands;
  • Enhancing collaboration between economic development organizations, recreational groups, land trusts, municipalities, businesses, and other civic organizations;
  • Maximizing ways in which land and water conservation activities benefit local and regional economies; and,
  • Proposing funding, strategies, and policy options to support the Task Force’s recommendations.

“Maine’s natural landscape is central to our character and economy. It is critical that we do what we can to make sure it doesn’t go away,” said Sen. Breen.

Sen. Breen has served on the Falmouth Town Council from 2005 to 2011, including two terms as chairwoman. In 2007, she shepherded the passage of the Open Space referendum, one of the most successful municipal efforts to conserve local land and wildlife habitat in Maine history. Since joining the Senate, she has been a champion for conservation projects, including the Land for Maine’s Future program.

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