Downeast Lakes Land Trust Honored with Prestigious State Award

October 27, 2014

The Downeast Lakes Land Trust was presented with the Maine Department of  Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Conservation Land Owner of the Year Award in a ceremony at the Augusta

Civic Center on October 21 hosted by the Department’s Landowner and Sportsmen Relations Advisory Board.

Nominated by the Maine Professional Guides Association (MPGA), Executive Director Don Kleiner said, “We were delighted to nominate the Downeast Lakes Land Trust because of their interest and willingness to see Maine Guides and other recreational users of the land base as a critical part of the future. Their vision includes guides as an important part of … the future of the land they manage. The DLLT sustainably manages…for wildlife habitat, forest products, and public recreation. DLLT provides guides and sporting camps an environment that supports their continued success, contributing to the preservation  of the heritage and culture of Grand Lake Stream.”

The IF&W’s Landowner/Land User Awards highlight the positive relationship between landowners and users across the state. “Over 90% of Maine’s land is privately owned. Outdoor enthusiasts rely on the generosity of private landowners to allow public access to their land. Additionally, the responsible and appropriate use of private land by various user groups has helped to build relationships between landowners and land user groups, which allow many outdoor recreational opportunities to flourish. The IF&W Landowner Relations Program seeks to maintain Maine’s unique heritage and ensure that the outdoor recreational opportunities available today, will continue to be available to future generations.” said Shon Theriault, Game Warden Captain for the Maine Warden Service.

On accepting the award, Downeast Lakes Land Trust’s Executive Director David Montague said, “This is a great honor and a testament to the hard work of the Trust and its supporters. It challenges all of us to maintain high standards of land stewardship while living up to our motto of ‘Forests and Lakes – For People – Forever.’”