DENMARK – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded $1.3 million to Maine to establish a Landowner Incentive Program. Using a portion of those funds, the state has recently awarded $550,000 for conservation easements and the remainder will be used to protect and preserve land throughout the state, including an area along the upper Saco River.

Approximately 1,440 forested acres in the Saco River watershed will be protected through the new program, including preservation of flood-plain forest and upland habitats important for a wide variety of wildlife species.

The Denmark project is one of six to receive grants. Additional funds will be awarded later this year to help protect habitat for bald eagles, piping plovers and Furbish’s lousewort, an endangered plant along the St. John River.

Under the program, landowners selected for grants will receive technical and financial assistance for habitat protection and restoration. Fifteen areas across Maine were selected as pilot sites for conservation efforts. The Landowner Incentive Program is administered by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

In addition to the Saco River watershed project, grants will be used for preservation work at Beaver Dam Heath in Berwick, Gerrish Island in Kittery, Mount Agamenticus in Berwick, Sheepscot River in Alna and Newcastle, and the Unity wetlands in Unity.