Conservation Catalyst Fund

The Presumpscot Regional Land Trust sits at the heart of the fastest-paced development in Maine. At the same time, only 5% of the land in the region is conserved. Increased investment over the last decade in the Land Trust’s capacity led to a dramatic increase in the pace of conservation. The pinch point for conservation in Gorham, Windham, Westbrook, Standish, and Gray is not a lack of interest in conservation but a lack of capacity to incubate and execute complex conservation projects. In the last 10 years, with increased staff capacity, the land trust has conserved nearly 2,000 acres which is more than double the 1,000 acres conserved in the first thirty years of operation.

The Conservation Catalyst Fund will set up a structure to provide flexible, reliable early funding critically needed to identify and propel initial projects forward with the goal of doubling of land conserved in the region in the next decade. The Land Trust has already received over $100,000 in initial investment with a goal of $600,000 in funding.

We believe that creating a fund that provides a minimum of $30K a year into the future is the minimum annual investment needed to ensure the Land Trust has the capacity to sustainably ensure that conserved lands have a bright future in Southern Maine. The Conservation Catalyst Fund will create a lasting legacy by fostering community engagement with nature and will directly contribute to the permanent conservation of vital ecosystems, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same benefits of nature that we cherish today. Your investment in the Conservation Catalyst Fund will have a meaningful and lasting impact on the region. Your support will not only enable us to conserve land but also inspire a new generation of environmental stewards.

To make a donation online, please visit our donation page and select the ‘Conservation Catalyst Fund’ dropdown option. You can also send checks to P.O. Box 33, Gorham, ME 04038.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your donation further, please contact William Sedlack, Executive Director at Will@prlt.org or (207) 839-4633.