York Land Trust Receives $8,500 in Funding for Priority Conservation Projects

York Land Trust has been awarded $8,500 through the L.L.Bean Maine Land Trust Grant Program, which Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) administers. Entering its 21st year, the program continues L.L.Bean’s long-standing commitment to support public access, habitat protection, and outdoor recreation across the state of Maine, bringing total funding to $558,750 for 129 projects since 2004. York Land Trust is one of nine land trusts across the state to receive this year’s award. 

The $8,500 will be used to fund the Near Point Preserve Accessibility Project, which is a six-month multifaceted overhaul of York Land Trust’s headquarters preserve. Near Point Preserve is a 27-acre public preserve in York, Maine with a beautiful one-mile loop trail through protected meadow and forest. The Near Point Trail follows Smelt Brook, a tributary of the nationally designated Partnership Wild and Scenic York River. This accessibility project contains three large components to better include and welcome diverse groups of preserve visitors: 1) Near Point trail work and updates for inclusivity and accessibility; 2) Near Point kiosk upgrade with Spanish translation; and 3) Near Point trail map brochures with Spanish translation. In total, this work includes minor reroutes of the trail, gravel leveling and re-grading, the installation of two boardwalk bridges with ramps, an accessible picnic bench, a new kiosk with an incorporated wooden bench, Spanish translation QR codes, and brand-new trail map brochures. 

“We are thrilled to make our iconic Near Point Preserve more accessible to a diverse set of community members through more inclusive signage, easy-to-follow navigation tools, improved trail grading, and additional seating options,” said Kara Siglin, Programs & Communications Manager at York Land Trust.

“The entire land trust community continues to deeply appreciate L.L.Bean’s enduring investment in Maine’s lands, waters, wildlife, and communities,” said Angela Twitchell, senior director of community and government relations at MCHT. “As nonprofit organizations, Maine’s land trusts rely heavily on private donations and grants to carry out their work. Support from partners like L.L.Bean is essential to protecting the remarkable places that make Maine so special.” 

According to Twitchell, land trusts are involved in an incredible breadth of work, from conserving important outdoor places to strengthening wildlife habitat and building trails that communities rely on. The 2025 Census Report from the Maine Land Trust Network shows that land trusts now care for nearly 3 million acres—close to 15 percent of the state—while supporting efforts that range from restoring marshes and rivers to improving fish passage and maintaining well-loved trail systems.  

“The support of partners like L.L.Bean helps make this work possible,” Twitchell said. 

About York Land Trust

York Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that protects and cares for significant natural lands and waterways in the greater York Maine area for the benefit of the community and the environment. Since 1986, we have permanently protected more than 3,600 acres of critical habitats, while helping facilitate the protection of an additional 1,500 acres through collaborations with federal, state, and local partners. These conserved lands provide vital benefits, including clean water and soil, outdoor recreation, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience for our community.

About the Maine Land Trust Network 

The Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN) enhances the quality and effectiveness of land conservation organizations across the state. Since its establishment in 1995, MLTN has served as a central hub for conservation collaboration, technical assistance, and grant administration, ensuring sustainable and impactful conservation efforts. A program of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, MLTN is led by a Steering Committee representing up to 25-member land trusts. Learn more at https://www.mltn.org/.

About Maine Coast Heritage Trust   

Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) advances the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. Since 1970, they have worked to guide the conservation movement and support a network of more than 80 land trusts. Together with partners, they’ve protected over 190,000 acres, supporting the needs of people, plants, animals, and ecosystems across the coast. They’re dedicated to ensuring that our natural areas can mitigate the effects of climate change and support all people and life for generations to come. Learn more about their work and get involved at www.mcht.org.