NEWS RELEASES
Astonishingly Low Public Access of Maine's Coastline Triggers Conservation Campaign
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through Maine Public's website.
You are now reading about the largest conservation effort in Maine history. Finding that less than one percent of Maine's coastline offers guaranteed public access, the Maine Coast Heritage Trust has begun a campaign that announced a $125 million fundraising effort to expand ocean waterfront access and protect it from development pressure and climate change. Supporters say the goal is to gain back the loss that has already been occurring for quite some time.
Patty Wight of Maine Public relays in her article that Judy Marsh, a Maine resident who grew up exploring islands in Casco Bay, is worried about the preservation of Maine's heritage. "As I've gotten older, there's more and more property on the islands that have become private property with lots of 'keep out' signs, 'this is a private island,'” says Marsh. Furthermore, Tim Glidden, the executive director of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust notes: "On a 3500 mile coast, you know, one percent — we're getting down to some pretty small numbers,” Glidden says. “And we need to pay attention to that if we're to maintain the quality of life and livelihoods — the actual livelihoods of many of those folks." Stemming from the large coastal conservation campaign, Glidden would like to have guarantee of access to the water in every coastal community in Maine. The Coastal Conservation Campaign has already raised $100 million. The Maine Coast Heritage Trust has taken on more than 100 projects and added trails and preserves in 45 coastal towns. But the organization still has $25 million left to raise by the end of next year to secure projects that are in the works.
To view the complete article by Patty Wight, click here.