Funding Wildlife & Forest Mgmt in Your Woodlands Using Gov. Incentive Programs

Converting your woodlands into a wildlife conservatory is encouraged by the Maine government. There are tax breaks and financial incentives for woodland owners with acreage dedicated to preserving wildlife and federally-funded grant programs that provide financial assistance to protect wildlife habitats. Landowners will have to agree to permanently keep woodlands protected and unchanged in compliance with a forest management plan. The following are programs offered by the state and federal systems.

TheMaine Open Space Lawoffers tax incentives to private landowners who wish to preserve their land as permanently protected. Open space areas can meet any of the following contingencies:

• Open space that is permanently protected against building development and will remain in its natural, unaltered state.

• Forever Wild open space that will remain unaltered and protected. Allows for the use of land for fishing, hunting, and nature observation and study.

• Public Access open space that allows for non-destructive recreational and educational public use.

• Managed Forest open space is an area of land designated for responsible forestry practices according to an approved forestry management plan.

The Landowner Incentive Program is a federally funded grant program designed to assist private landowners in converting their land to a conservation habitat. Habitats that house species identified in the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy Guide or classified as special concern are eligible. If your woodlands are home to any of the species on this list, you may be able to get grants to help you convert them into a conservation habitat.

For more information on federal conservation programs offered in Maine, refer to the Private Land Owner Network.