The Goals of MCPI

With their shared vision in mind, the many partners of the MCPI Coalition created the Strategic Conservation Framework that oulines three shared goals to be acheived thorough collective efforts: (summary available here, and full document here)

1. Create a viable network of conserved land that protects Maine’s priority coastal habitats, recreational and working access, and scenic and cultural features;
2. Help land trusts acquire the professional and technical resources needed to proactively protect priority lands and attend to long-term stewardship needs; and
3. Build strong public support and increased funding for coastal conservation.

With the MCPI’s function defined, the Coalition’s attention turned to form. The challenge was to find a structure and funding that married the need for the far-reaching vision with the realities of stretched schedules and wallets. The initial MCPI project team worked with the Coalition to select a leadership group that represents the diverse interests of the coast. What emerged is a 20-member steering committee that acts as the decision-making body for the Coalition, headed by a volunteer chair from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Gulf of Maine Coastal Program. For the nitty-gritty work, the steering committee knew early on that it needed a mix of volunteer workgroups, new grant funds, leveraging of existing efforts and partnerships, and individual agency and organization investment. A project budget of $1.5 million was created to support the project through its initial 2007 goals, and fundraising began with a lead commitment of $748,000 from NOAA.

Vision << MCPI's Goals >> Goal 1