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For Immediate Release
October 28, 2024
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Hosts National Conference Celebrating 60 Years of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Bar Harbor – Today, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) welcomes more than 100 federal and state agency representatives from across the country to the National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers (NASORLO) Annual Conference. Taking place in Bar Harbor from October 28 to November 1, the conference will focus on the impact of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as it celebrates 60 years of preserving outdoor recreation spaces for future generations.
Established September 3, 1964, the LWCF has been a critical funding source for protecting national parks, forests, rivers, lakes, and wildlife refuges. Funded by offshore oil and gas drilling royalties, the program has enabled preserving key recreational areas while supporting state and local park projects nationwide. In Maine, the LWCF has played a crucial role in enhancing the state’s rich outdoor heritage, including municipal parks, state parks, and public access to water resources.
Maine's LWCF Legacy
Since 2014, Maine has seen significant investment from the LWCF, with 82 projects receiving approval and over $15 million awarded. These projects, ranging from local parks to large-scale conservation efforts, have leveraged additional matching funds, bringing the total investment in Maine’s outdoor spaces to over $33 million in the past decade. Maine has 25 active LWCF projects, with seven new grants awarded by the National Park Service in September 2024.
Over the last six decades, Maine has seen significant investment through the LWCF, protecting over 90,000 acres of land across the state. From the smallest park, Village Green Park in Southwest Harbor at just 0.08 acres, to the largest, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway spanning 22,880 acres, the Fund has played a transformative role in safeguarding Maine's iconic natural spaces.
Since the program's inception, 970 projects have been completed in Maine, including 258 state and 712 local projects. These have provided recreational opportunities and protected landscapes in every county. The state's first LWCF-supported projects included landmark sites such as:
- Camden Hills State Park Improvements
- Camden Snow Bowl
- Crescent Beach Acquisition
- Fort Knox Improvements
- Fort Popham Development
- Mt. Blue State Park Expansion
- Sebago Lake Acquisition
- Rangeley Lake State Park
- Swan Island Campground
- Warren Island
Impact Across Every County
The LWCF has left its mark in all 16 counties, with 219 municipalities benefiting from parks and recreation areas funded by the program. The counties with the most LWCF-assisted projects include:
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Cumberland: 136 projects
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Aroostook: 106 projects
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Penobscot: 94 projects
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York: 78 projects
These projects have ranged from public boat launches and playgrounds to large landscape conservation and state park improvements, ensuring that outdoor spaces are accessible to residents and visitors across Maine.
Conference Highlights
The NASORLO Annual Conference will feature presentations and workshops on the best practices for stateside delivery of LWCF, updates from the National Parks Service on their increased capacity, and program updates designed to keep this sixty-year-old program nimble and responsive to the country’s outdoor recreation needs. Attendees will also tour iconic Maine outdoor destinations, showcasing the state’s successful use of LWCF funds. As part of the event, participants will discuss the future of the LWCF and the vital role it continues to play in maintaining public lands and recreational opportunities.
“Hosting the NASORLO conference in Maine is a fitting tribute to the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s legacy,” said Andy Cutko, BPL Director. “The Fund has been instrumental in helping us preserve the beauty of Maine’s natural resources while providing unmatched recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.”
"The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a cornerstone of Maine's outdoor recreation and conservation efforts," said Doug Beck, BPL Outdoor Recreation Program Manager. "Through its support, we’ve been able to enhance access to our state’s incredible natural resources, from local parks to vast public lands, ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy the outdoor spaces that make Maine special."
About the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
The Bureau of Parks and Lands manages over 700,000 acres of state parks and public lands, providing recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, and boating while supporting sustainable forestry and conservation initiatives. The Bureau’s efforts are vital to maintaining Maine’s reputation as a premier outdoor destination, welcoming over three million visitors annually.
For more information on the Maine Land and Water Conservation Fund, visit https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/grants/land_water_conservation_fund.html.
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Media contact: Jim Britt
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