AUGUSTA — The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry recently announced Laura Graham as Land for Maine’s Future program director.

Graham brings wide-ranging experience and knowledge of conservation easement and land acquisition transactions, including strategic project selection, supportive policy, and successful funding and implementation.

Currently a senior planner at the LMF, Graham brings expertise in competitive grant programs to safeguard working farmland, working waterfronts, and public access to recreational or naturally significant lands. With a background as a trial lawyer, she dedicated years to advocating in contested civil proceedings. Her interest in conflict resolution led her to become a founding member of the Academy of Professional Family Mediators.

Graham is currently the board chair for the Ecology Learning Center, a location-based charter high school in Unity.

“The LMF plays a vital role in protecting our natural and working lands and ensuring broad access to the public to many of our most beautiful and ecologically important lands,” said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal in a news release. “Laura’s unique experiences and depth of knowledge will serve the program and Maine very well.”

For more information, visit maine.gov/dacf/lmf.