Maine Coast Heritage Trust

What Maine Coast Heritage Trust does

Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1970 on Mount Desert Island and headquartered in Topsham, Maine. The organization conserves Maine's coastal lands and islands through fee-simple acquisition, conservation easements, and ongoing stewardship, while operating 168 public preserves spanning more than 106 miles of trails across four regional service areas (Southern Maine, Midcoast, Mount Desert Island, and Downeast). Since founding, MCHT has conserved 202,450 acres with partners, protected 341 coastal islands, and holds 330+ conservation easements covering 23,000+ acres.

MCHT's core "products" are its preserves, trail systems, and conservation services — including the Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields working farm preserves, climate resilience programs (Marshes for Tomorrow, Rivers Initiative, Islands Initiative, Schoodic to Schoodic Initiative), and community conservation engagement. The underlying technology stack is modest: GIS mapping for conservation planning and spatial analysis, supported by an in-house Senior GIS Associate and an Associate Director of Data Operations; there is no proprietary software platform or consumer-facing technology product. MCHT also sustains the Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN), an ecosystem supporting 80+ land trusts statewide, and passes through more than $10 million annually to partners.

The business/revenue model is donation-dependent: restricted private contributions and foundation grants (40–48% of revenue), endowment/investment draw (24–28%), unrestricted annual fund donations (18–20%), public restricted grants such as Land for Maine's Future and NAWCA funding (2–11%), and modest e-commerce shop sales. GTM is community-led and event-driven — volunteer workdays, nature outings, educational programs, and partnership-driven referral. There are no customer-paid product fees; preserve access is free. Roughly 75% of completed conservation projects involve external partners, and 8 of every 10 dollars spent go directly to land protection and stewardship.

Name

Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Legal name

Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Website

https://mcht.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a Maine-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that permanently conserves coastal lands and islands through acquisition, conservation easements, and stewardship of 168 public preserves with 106 miles of trails across four Maine regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (11)

SIC

Real Estate Dealers (For Their Own Account) (6532), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Conservation & Protected Land Brokerage (Easements, Land Trust Sales) (BPAJADAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Conservation easement management
• Coastal habitat protection
• Public nature preserves
• Community land trust

Headquarters

HQ city

Topsham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Private Restricted Contributions & Grants: The largest revenue source at 40-48% of funds, including foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and restricted donations designated for specific projects or preserves.
2. Investment Draw: Returns from MCHT's endowment and investment portfolio, providing 24-28% of annual revenue to support operations.
3. Annual Fund: Unrestricted donations from individual supporters giving annually, representing 18-20% of revenue.
4. Public Restricted Grants: Government grants including Land for Maine's Future, North American Wetlands Conservation Act funding, and other public conservation programs, representing 2-11% of revenue.
5. Shop Sales: Revenue from the MCHT shop selling merchandise (enamel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, hoodies) where purchases support conservation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a 501(c)(3) land conservation nonprofit that permanently protects Maine's coastal lands, islands, and waters through fee-simple acquisition, conservation easements (330+ spanning 23,000+ acres), and stewardship of a network of 168 free public preserves with 106 miles of trails. The trust runs targeted initiatives on marshes, rivers, islands, and climate resilience, and operates working farm preserves (Aldermere Farm, Erickson Fields) that combine agriculture, education, and community food programs.

Product overview

Maine Coast Heritage Trust operates as a land conservation nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected conservation products and services. The core offerings include a network of 168 public preserves spanning over 106 miles of trails across Maine's coast, supported by land protection through acquisition and 330+ conservation easements. The organization runs several strategic initiatives including The Marshes for Tomorrow Initiative, The Rivers Initiative, The Islands Initiative, and The Schoodic to Schoodic Initiative. Two working farm preserves—Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields—provide agricultural education and community food programs. Stewardship programs ensure ongoing care of conserved lands, while community conservation and volunteer programs connect people to preserved spaces. The organization also offers donation programs for supporters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN): A statewide network supporting Maine's 80+ land trusts, facilitating collaboration, learning, and funding opportunities for conservation organizations across Maine.
• Aldermere Farm
• Erickson Fields

Products and services

• MCHT Preserves A network of 168 free public preserves across Maine's coast, including mainland preserves, coastal islands, and waterfront properties in four regions (Southern Maine, Midcoast, Mt. Desert Island, Downeast). Open to the public for exploration, recreation, and nature connection.
• Trail Systems Over 106 miles of maintained trails across MCHT preserves, including accessible trails, hiking paths, and water access routes for public use.
• Land Protection Services Conservation of land through fee-simple acquisition and conservation easements, protecting ecosystems, coastal habitats, and working lands for ecological wellbeing and community benefit. Service for Maine landowners and partners seeking permanent protection.
• Stewardship Programs Ongoing care and management of conserved lands including habitat restoration, trail maintenance, wildlife monitoring, and ecological monitoring across 330+ conservation easements and 168 preserves.
• Aldermere Farm Preserve A 166-acre historic preserve in Rockport, Maine featuring Belted Galloway cattle, agricultural education programs, community events like Calf Unveiling Day, and scenic trails open to the public.
• Erickson Fields Preserve A former Rockport dairy farm featuring a 1.8-mile trail and gardens where young people grow food for the community. Produce is distributed through partnership with Good Shepherd Food Bank to address food security.
• Marshes for Tomorrow Initiative Program to conserve and restore Maine's most resilient marshes to curb climate change impacts and support marsh migration as sea levels rise.
• Rivers Initiative Program focused on protecting and restoring five key Maine rivers to enhance ecological health and climate resilience, including the Bagaduce River fish passage restoration project.
• Islands Initiative Effort to protect coastal islands from development and ensure birds and wildlife have permanent refuge on Maine's coast, with 100+ islands identified as priorities.
• Schoodic to Schoodic Initiative Partnership with Frenchman Bay Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy to conserve stepping stones of land creating a wildlife corridor between Schoodic Peninsula areas, supporting wildlife adaptation to climate change.
• Climate Resilience Programs Conservation strategies addressing climate change including flood mitigation, water purification, wildlife corridor protection, and carbon sequestration through ecosystem preservation.
• MCHT Shop (Conservation Merchandise) Online shop at shop.mcht.org selling conservation-themed merchandise including enamel mugs, eco tote bags, stainless steel water bottles with straw lids, and unisex hoodies. Purchases support MCHT's conservation mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 202,450 acres conserved with partners since 1970
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT and Northeast Wilderness Trust are partnering to conserve 2,037 acres of forest in the downeast region through the Bold Coast Wilderness Preserve project. The partnership links large blocks of conserved land, contributes to landscape-scale protection and restoration of watersheds, and enables public access for hunting, fishing, and quiet recreation.
• Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (BTLT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT partnered with BTLT to raise funds and co-manage Woodward Point Preserve in Brunswick. The collaboration secured funding from Land for Maine's Future Program, US Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Wetlands Program, and the Town of Brunswick to purchase the 87.5-acre property in 2019.
• Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT initiated and sustains the Maine Land Trust Network, supporting Maine's 80+ land trusts through annual conferences, funding opportunities, resource sharing, and collaborative projects. Approximately one-third of MCHT's land conservation projects support other organizations playing lead roles.
• Frenchman Bay ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT partners with Frenchman Bay Conservancy on the Schoodic to Schoodic Initiative, working to conserve key 'stepping stones' of land to create a protected corridor for wildlife in the region adjacent to Acadia National Park.
• The Nature ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT collaborates with The Nature Conservancy on the Schoodic to Schoodic Initiative and broader conservation efforts, leveraging combined resources for wildlife corridor protection and climate resilience projects.
• Wabanaki Nations and EntitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT collaborates with the four federally recognized Wabanaki Tribes (Mi'kmaq, Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Passamaquoddy at Sipayik) and organizations including First Light, the Wabanaki Commission on Land and Stewardship, Wabanaki Youth and Science (WaYS), Nibezun, and Niweskom. Work includes land return initiatives (Tributary Land Returns), collaborative stewardship, and increasing Wabanaki cultural access to conserved lands.
• Land Trust AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT co-founded the national Land Trust Alliance, the primary organization supporting land trusts across the United States. This founding role established MCHT as a leader in the American land conservation movement.
• Sportsman's Alliance of MaineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT works with the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine to strengthen Land for Maine's Future (LMF), a critical state funding program for land conservation.
• Good Shepherd Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT distributes healthy food grown at Erickson Fields Preserve to communities in need through partnership with Good Shepherd Food Bank, connecting local agriculture with food security.
• Maine Center for Coastal FisheriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT collaborates with Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries on projects including the Bagaduce River fish passage restoration, working together with local shellfish committees and other partners.
• State of Maine (Multiple Agencies)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT partners with Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Complex, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and other state agencies on land acquisition, conservation projects, and climate adaptation strategies. MCHT helps secure Land for Maine's Future funding for projects.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner on wetland conservation (North American Wetlands Conservation Act funding), coastal islands refuge complex, and various land acquisition projects. MCHT has secured millions in NAWCA funding through collaborative grant applications.
• Queerly MEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT partners with Queerly ME to connect more LGBTQ+ people to MCHT preserves and increase access to lands and waters for underrepresented communities.
• Vinalhaven Land TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCHT jointly owns and manages The Basin Preserve on Vinalhaven with the Vinalhaven Land Trust, demonstrating successful co-stewardship of island preserves.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Maine Chapter): The Nature Conservancy operates a Maine chapter engaged in large-scale coastal and island land conservation, climate resilience, and co-stewardship projects alongside MCHT — most visibly through the Schoodic to Schoodic Initiative. It is a comparable peer in mission, geographic focus on coastal Maine, and conservation funding mechanisms, but operates as part of a much larger global organization.

Direct peers

• Trust for Public Land: Trust for Public Land is a national land conservation nonprofit that acquires and stewards conserved lands, parks, and open spaces across the United States using mechanisms identical to MCHT's, including conservation easements and fee acquisition. It is the closest national direct peer in terms of operating model, public-access focus, and partnership-based land protection.
• Northeast Wilderness Trust: Northeast Wilderness Trust is an active MCHT partner on the Bold Coast Wilderness Preserve and other downeast Maine projects (2,037 acres+). It operates the same conservation-easement and fee-acquisition model focused on New England forests, making it a direct operational peer with overlapping staff and stewardship workflows.
• Frenchman Bay Conservancy: Frenchman Bay Conservancy is MCHT's co-partner on the Schoodic to Schoodic Initiative and a regional land trust serving the Frenchman Bay area adjacent to Acadia National Park. It shares the same easements, public-preserves, and stewardship operating model as MCHT, but serves a sub-region of Maine.
• Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust: BTLT is MCHT's direct co-management partner on Woodward Point Preserve in Brunswick and a small Maine land trust operating under the same Land Trust Alliance-aligned model. Comparable in mission, scale of conserved lands, and reliance on volunteer engagement for stewardship.

Regional players

• Island Heritage Trust: Island Heritage Trust is a Maine land trust focused on island land conservation and stewardship, sharing the coastal and island-preservation focus of MCHT. It is a regional peer operating on a smaller geographic footprint with comparable conservation easement and public preserve activity.
• Coastal Mountains Land Trust: Coastal Mountains Land Trust is a Maine-based regional land trust serving the western Penobscot Bay area with a network of public preserves and conservation easements. It overlaps with MCHT in geography and operating model but operates independently of the MLTN core.
• Kennebec Land Trust: Kennebec Land Trust is a Maine land trust with public preserves and conservation easements in the central and western regions of the state, overlapping with MCHT's broader statewide but distinct service area. It is a comparable peer in operational model and member-supported stewardship.
• Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests: The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is one of the oldest U.S. land trusts (founded 1901), operating fee-owned preserves and conservation easements across New Hampshire similar to MCHT. It is an adjacent regional peer with comparable scale, government advocacy, and recreation-trail programs.
• Maine Audubon: Maine Audubon operates wildlife sanctuaries, public nature preserves, and conservation programs across Maine. It is a peer in the same state-level conservation ecosystem, with overlapping donor pools, public preserve operating models, and statewide advocacy role.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mainecoastheritagetrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maine-coast-heritage-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/maine_coast_heritage_trust
• Xx.com/mcht_org

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maine Coast Heritage Trust