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Home > Grants Department of Conservation GrantsThe Department of Conservation administers state and federal grants to provide services, resources and personnel to nonprofit groups, municipalities and other agencies. Grants totaling more than 2 million are available through the Department's bureaus to improve and enhance programs offered in Maine. ATV use is becoming a popular activity in Maine and around the nation. Grant money is available to municipalities and registered ATV clubs to help defray trail development and maintenance costs. Funded by the state gasoline tax, the Public Boat Access grant program enables private organizations and municipalities to acquire, develop and improve local public boat facilities. Fighting fires can be a costly endeavor for local communities and this Maine Forest Service program helps municipalities purchase fire suppression equipment. Contact your local Maine Forest Service Ranger who has information on how to take advantage of this program. Federal Excess Property Program The Maine Forest Service acquires Federal Excess Property such as vehicles, generators, pumps or trailers at little or no cost, and loans it to municipalities for forest fire suppression purposes. Contact the Maine Forest Service office nearest to you for more information. Land and Water Conservation Fund The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal grant-in-aid program that provides up to 50% reimbursement for the acquisition and / or development of publicly owned outdoor recreation facilities. While the total varies year to year, on average $400,000 is distributed to recipients. The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund conserves wildlife and open spaces through the sale of instant Lottery tickets. With proceeds from ticket sales, grants are awarded twice a year, totaling approximately $700,000 annually. The seven-member Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Board chooses projects in four categories that promote recreation as well as conservation of Maine's special places, endangered species and important fish and wildlife habitat. Linking trails, acquiring easements and maintaining existing trails are just some of the uses of the Recreations Trails Program funds. Each year the Division of Grants and Community Recreation awards grants to non-profit organizations, municipalities, or state agencies. Project Canopy awards grants to state, county, and municipal governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations for developing and implementing community forestry projects and programs. Maine boasts a 12,000-mile network of groomed snowmobile trails. As thousands enjoy this growing winter sport, maintaining this system is becoming more of a challenge for volunteer-driven clubs each year. The Snowmobile Division awards grants annually to help defray costs to municipalities and registered snowmobile clubs. Volunteer Fire Assistance Program Annually, federal funds are used to assist towns with the purchase of forest fire equipment or to provide forest fire training. Grants require that towns match the grant funds dollar for dollar. Local Maine Forest Service Rangers have information on the grant process. The WoodsWISE program's aim is to help Maine's forest landowners make informed decisions based on stewardship principles about their forests, and thereby encourage the long-term sustainability of Maine's forests. If you own even a few acres of Maine's forests, your property is part of an important resource that can provide wildlife habitat, clean water, forest products, and other benefits to Maine communities as well as be a source of enjoyment and value to you, the landowner. |
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