Sen. Pierce applauds new funding for Lands for Maine Future program

AUGUSTA — Maine Senate Majority Leader Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, celebrated the recent inclusion of a stable funding mechanism for the Land for Maine’s Future program in the supplemental budget passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Janet Mills earlier this month. The language included in the budget mirrors portions of a bill, LD 1312, introduced by Sen. Pierce this session.

“Passage of this supplemental budget solidifies the Legislature’s commitment to our natural resources and is how we defend Maine’s way of life for generations to come,” said Sen. Pierce. “Programs like Land for Maine’s Future — and our local land trusts like Falmouth Land Trust Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust and Royal River Conservation Trust — are on the front lines of this effort. I’m proud to work with my colleagues across Maine on these initiatives and live in a state where communities, educators, workers and families are committed to protecting where we live and work.”

The new law directs 25% of the investment income accrued from the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund to be transferred to the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Trust Fund at the end of each month. It is estimated that $7 to $8 million will be transferred into LMF over the twelve months of the first fiscal year, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

In the 131st Legislature, Sen. Pierce sponsored LD 1969, a bipartisan law that strengthened and updated the Land for Maine’s Future program, which has supported land acquisition, public access, habitat protection and stewardship across the state since it was established in 1987.  

Passage of this year’s supplemental budget builds on this progress to strengthen Maine’s land conservation efforts and protect Maine’s future.

The supplemental budget will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.

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