Who We Are

CCLT is a member-supported 501(c)3 non-profit land conservation organization operating in the towns of Cumberland and Chebeague Island, Maine. Our Board of Directors consists of residents from both towns who provide guidance for the organization. Our conservation efforts are accomplished almost exclusively by a dedicated team of volunteers and members who support our efforts.

What We Do

Our mission is to permanently conserve and steward natural resources across our island and mainland communities for the benefit of current and future generations.

CCLT envisions a future where the protection of wildlife habitat, healthy ecosystems, working farmland and waterfronts is recognized as essential for sustainable, healthy and diverse communities. We believe that the conservation of interconnected lands leads to natural climate solutions and greater biodiversity as we strive to provide everyone access to nature in our island and mainland communities. Increasing awareness about the importance of conservation will generate a greater appreciation for our natural resources and the need to preserve our treasured landscapes and rural character forever.

We translate our mission into several principal tasks: 1) protecting and caring for natural resources in our communities, 2) expanding public access to nature, recreation and education, 3) supporting healthy, sustainable communities, and 4) building a strong organization to achieve our goals.

Our History

Founded in 1987 as part of a nationwide movement to protect land for its natural resource value and for the enjoyment of the public, our organization was originally named the Cumberland Mainland & Islands Trust. At that time, Chebeague Island was part of the town of Cumberland. With the secession of Chebeague Island from Cumberland in 2007, the Trust decided to continue to serve both communities and adopted a new name – Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust – and new bylaws to reflect the change.

In 2012, CCLT became one of only a few all-volunteer land trusts in the country to become accredited through the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission, certifying that we met the highest professional standards for our conservation work. Five years later CCLT’s accreditation was successfully renewed. In the fall of 2018, CCLT hired its first-ever Executive Director and opened an office on Main Street in Cumberland in an effort to increase capacity and strengthen our impact in our two communities.

Since its founding, the organization has completed 31 conservation projects including eight fee-owned properties and 23 conservation easements, protecting over 1,050 acres in the towns of Chebeague Island and Cumberland. Many of these properties provide wonderful recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy. Backed by strong membership and community support, CCLT continues to work to protect vital, local natural resources including undeveloped shoreline, nesting islands, wildlife corridors, ponds, wetlands, woodlands, riparian areas, farmland, and trails.

All of CCLT’s board members and staff are tasked with upholding strong confidentiality agreements and a Conflict of Interest policy, which can be found here.