We aim to increase access to the outdoors so that Maine residents feel connected to the natural world and exercise a strong ethic of care for nature. To achieve our goals, we support nonprofit work in three areas:

Far too many people in Maine experience systemic barriers that exclude them from outdoor activities, climate change advocacy, and environmental programming. We aim to strengthen organizations and programs that meaningfully improve outdoor access for Black, Indigenous, and people of color and for people living with disabilities.

Strengthening Maine residents’ connection to the outdoors requires us to focus on both the places where people access nature and the people who experience barriers to doing so. We focus on key places throughout the state — land trusts and lakes — that provide conserved areas for learning, healing, and recreating.

We invest in statewide and regional organizations that provide critical services, resources, infrastructure, and operational guidance to expand the equitable outdoor access movement. We recognize the value of these organizations in coordinating effective programs designed to increase learning, sharing, reach, efficacy, and efficiency.