Maine Coast Heritage Trust

1. Protect the character of Maine’s Coast

2. Foster a conservation ethic and enhance the well-being of coastal communities

4. Advance conservation interests statewide

5. Ensure outstanding organizational performance

1. Protect the character of Maine’s Coast by sustaining the pace and quality of land protection and stewardship that support ecological health and the well-being of coastal communities.
2. Foster a conservation ethic and enhance the well-being of coastal communities through conservation programs and partnerships.
3. Provide leadership for a strong and effective land trust community throughout Maine by fostering excellence, advancing collaboration and safeguarding accomplishments.
4. Advance conservation interests statewide through collaboration, thought leadership and advocacy.
5. Ensure outstanding organizational performance through comprehensive fund development and strategic communications, and with exemplary governance, management and accountability.

MCHT continues its focus on whole-place protection and its
work to conserve priority islands, while identifying new protection
priorities that strengthen ecological connectivity and mitigate the
projected impacts of climate change. While continuing to rely on traditional tools like conservation
easements, MCHT explores and consider adopting innovative
approaches to landscape-scale conservation. Sound stewardship
design and budgeting are integrated into conservation projects,
and the Trust maintains its commitment to responsible
stewardship (caring for lands in ways that sustain both ecological
health and community wellbeing).

MCHT will enhance public awareness and use of its preserves
(through increased activities and partnerships) and offer
community programs such as field trips, the Lubec Outing Club
and the Teen Agriculture Crew at its Erickson Fields Preserve.

In its ongoing role as coordinator of the Maine
Land Trust Network, MCHT will provide continued information
and training to the state’s land trust community— particularly
supporting their participation in Land Trust Alliance standards
and practices and accreditation. MCHT will continue promoting
the policy interests of the community, offering a revolving loan
fund, and organizing the state’s annual land trust conference. The
Trust will facilitate and support a process for envisioning the most
effective and sustainable statewide structure for the land trust
community, and will invest in strengthening collaborations (and,
where appropriate, mergers) among local trusts.

As it has historically done, MCHT will engage in advocacy and
public policy in matters directly related to land conservation
(and, selectively and collaboratively with partner organizations,
on broader issues affecting coastal lands and waters). The Trust will
remain active and assume leadership roles as needed in commissions,
organizations and initiatives at state and federal levels, and will
expand its reach through increased research, public speaking,
publications and, potentially, topical conferences and workshops.

MCHT will expand its fund development strategy to support
implementation of the expanded vision outlined in this plan.
To this end, it will increase its communications capacity, and update
the means of promoting MCHT’s activities and accomplishments.
The Trust will increase efforts to attract and retain members and
monitor member satisfaction (as well as broader public attitudes
toward land conservation and MCHT). The Trust will continue its
ongoing work to implement best practices in nonprofit governance,
fostering a team-oriented culture of innovation and excellence with
open communications, competitive compensation, and ongoing
professional development. To enhance organizational efficiency and
performance, it will update technology and information systems as
needed. These and other measures will help ensure that MCHT can
successfully renew its current LTA accreditation.