Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Keep the coast Maine
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Maine Coast Heritage is committed to a vision of whole coastal Maine landscapes and islands that retain their inspiring beauty, thriving natural systems, and healthy communities. By addressing the connectivity between our coastal rivers and estuaries, riparian lands, wildlife corridors and the coast itself, the ecosystems that sustain our coastal communities will be stronger. We will build on traditional conservation values with an eye toward increased resilience to accelerating climate change and accompanying sea level rise. Through our work with many partners, Maine’s land conservation community will intensify and broaden the connections between the lands and people of the state in a manner that is deep, lasting and meets its collective, long-term stewardship obligations. We will advocate for the needs of land conservation and the conservation community. The role of natural and sustainable working lands will be widely recognized as a vital piece of the social, cultural and e
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Land Protection and Conservation
Land Protection is the primary program at MCHT with project managers who work directly with property owners wishing to conserve their lands. Stewardship and monitoring of the properties we have protected is another important and growing program at MCHT. MCHT's programs include the Maine Land Trust Network, an entity which supports the work of local land trusts throughout the State of Maine. Public Policy initiatives that support our land protection efforts are another aspect of our work. In addition, like any non-profit, MCHT has programs in Development and Financial Management.
Where we work
Accreditations
Land Trust Alliance 2010
External reviews

Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
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
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
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.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
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.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Board of directorsas of 10/25/2021
Thomas Armstrong, Jr.
Joseph Hammer
Thomas Ireland
Jennifer Mahoney
Arthur Martinez
Lucy McCarthy
Melissa Paly
David Reis
Stephen Sullens
M. Cameron Barrow
Mackenzie Davis
John Forsgren
Elizabeth Gilmore
Alix Hopkins
Katherine Jans
Sam Spencer
Judy Wallingford
Edward Wendell, Jr.
Jean Wheeler
Karin Marchetti
John Adelman
Sheridan Steele
Ben Twining
Organizational demographics
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Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data