The Maine Wilderness Guides Organization is an association of Registered Maine Guides and sporting camp owners who are committed to the protection of the places where we guide and the fish and game we pursue. We rely on public land access for our businesses to prosper.

In its 30-year history, the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program has enabled Maine Guides to access forests, lakes, rivers, and other wildlands by funding the acquisition of conservation and recreation land. Unfortunately, it has been almost a decade since LMF has been funded. We urge legislators to pass a LMF bond bill this legislative session to replenish this important program.

Without access to healthy, intact land and waters, many of us simply would not be in business and would be unable to carry on the tradition of guiding or contribute to the state economy as guides have done for generations. LMF also protects fish and wildlife habitat, supporting species that we depend on so that our clients can enjoy activities like fishing, wildlife photography and canoeing year after year.

Maine Guides tend to seek out locations in the North Woods and western Maine for guiding and will frequent LMF sites, such as Cold Stream near The Forks and the Kennebec Highlands. But LMF goes beyond protecting rural and remote Maine and has funded projects in all areas of the state for a wide variety of purposes.

Providing LMF with a significant amount of new funding would be an investment that would benefit all Mainers. It is imperative that Maine legislators pass a bond measure to refund the LMF program and send a ballot question to voters in November. Our livelihoods as Maine Guides depend on it.

Jeanne Christie

president, Maine Wilderness Guides Organization

North Windham