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American Canoe Association
The American Canoe Association (ACA) is the oldest member-based paddlesport association in the United States, currently boasting a membership of nearly 50,000 paddlers. Since 1880 the ACA has been involved in the promotion of paddlesports, recreation, education and environmental stewardship. The Association is currently redoubling its efforts to support grassroots stewardship and conservation through club-based initiatives, waterway clean-ups, safety/access signage, water trails and access to waterways.
L.L.Bean has joined forces with ACA to create the Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) program. The CFS program supports paddling clubs in their efforts to protect waterways and to promote volunteer waterway stewardship at the local level.
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American Hiking Society
Since its founding in 1976, American Hiking Society (AHS) has been the only national voice for hikers – dedicated to promoting and protecting America's hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. AHS represents millions of hikers who are committed to beautiful places to hike and believe that the preservation of hiking trails and their environments is an important and worthwhile legacy to leave for future generations.
L.L.Bean is pleased to support AHS by providing funding for the National Trails Fund. The Fund is the only national privately funded grants program for hiking trails. The Fund supports the grassroots efforts of trail clubs to build and maintain trails, secure trail lands and recruit volunteers and support.
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Appalachian Mountain Club
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States. With 100,000 members in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC offers thousands of outdoor activities through its 12 chapters from Maine to Washington, DC, along with mountain hospitality at its huts and lodges.
L.L.Bean has provided nearly $1.6 million in funding for AMC during the past 30 years. Since 1995, L.L.Bean has funded AMC's ConservationWorks and Junior Naturalist programs. L.L.Bean also provided a substantial gift of furnishings and outdoor equipment for AMC's Highland Center. Most recently, L.L.Bean supported AMC's Maine Woods Initiative, a major conservation effort in the 100-Mile Wilderness region that combines outdoor recreation, resource protection, sustainable forestry and community partnerships. As part of the Initiative, the AMC owns and manages 37,000 acres of forestland and operates Medawisla Wilderness Lodge and Little Lyford Pond Lodge and Cabins, traditional Maine sporting camps open to the public. A third sporting camp, the Lisa and Leon Gorman Camps at Chairback Mountain, was dedicated in 2008.
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Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to the environmental protection and resource preservation of the 2,178.3-mile Maine-to-Georgia Appalachian Trail (A.T.). For over 80 years, it has been the work of the ATC and various A.T. partners, clubs and volunteers to ensure that the biological resources and opportunities for backcountry experiences along the Trail endure for generations to come.
L.L.Bean sponsors the L.L.Bean Grants to Clubs program of the ATC with a $20,000 annual contribution. Since 1992, ATC volunteers have been provided funds for the purchase of tools, gates, bog bridge materials and safety equipment, and to conduct shelter repair and privy maintenance. L.L.Bean's gift is among the largest corporate contributions to the group and supports the grassroots efforts of thousands of local volunteers.
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Bicycle Coalition of Maine
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) advocates bicycling safety, education and access. To enhance our communities, environment and economy, BCM also promotes bicycling for transportation, health and recreation.
L.L.Bean has supported BCM since its formation in 1992. L.L.Bean sponsors the Women's Ride for Heart Health, the Maine Bike Rally, the Lobster Ride and Roll and the BikeMaine Event Calendar, and is a corporate member of BCM.
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Forest Society of Maine
As Maine's land trust for the North Woods, the Forest Society of Maine (FSM ) conserves forestlands in a manner that sustains the recreational, ecological, economic, and cultural values of the Maine woods. The Forest Society of Maine focuses its efforts to promote the conservation of functional, working forest landscapes with multiple social and ecological values. Since its inception, FSM has conserved more than 400,000 acres of forestland, as well as 901 miles of rivers and streams and 510 miles of lake and pond shoreline.
L.L.Bean supported FSM to help complete the acquisition of the 329,000-acre West Branch project, which includes the headwaters of the St. John and Penobscot Rivers, and is pleased to continue its support of FSM's other endeavors to conserve additional high value forestlands in Maine.
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Friends of Acadia
Friends of Acadia (FOA) preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations. It accomplishes its mission by encouraging volunteerism, promoting conservation, advocating for park interests, and supporting park stewardship by leveraging donations through grants.
L.L.Bean is proud to protect the future of Acadia National Park through grants of over $2 million to the Island Explorer and $250,000 to the L.L.Bean Kids in Acadia and Research Fellowships programs. These grants support alternative transportation in the Acadia region, engage our younger citizens in environmental learning and support research important to the management and planning of Acadia. The Island Explorer grant supports significantly reduced traffic and pollutants in the park. The bus system offers transportation free of charge to locations throughout the park and local communities. Since its inception in 1999, the propane-powered Island Explorer bus system has carried over 2.9 million passengers, eliminating more than 1 million private automobile trips, and preventing approximately 16 tons of smog-causing pollutants and 10,250 tons of greenhouse gases.
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Friends of Casco Bay
Casco Bay is quintessentially Maine; its scenic waters, rocky coast, and hundreds of rugged islands exemplify the state’s image as a natural wonder. The Bay provides endless recreational opportunities from birding and angling to boating and beachcombing.
Friends of Casco Bay has been working to improve and protect the Bay's environmental health for the past 20 years. The group's work involves advocacy, education, water quality monitoring and collaborative problem solving. Home to the Casco BAYKEEPER®, it is a founding member of the WATERKEEPER® ALLIANCE, a network of more than 180 environmental groups working to protect waters around the world. Casco Baykeeper Joe Payne won L.L.Bean's 2009 Outdoor Heroes Award.
L.L.Bean is a proud supporter of Friends of Casco Bay, a dynamic, active local nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the health of Maine's Casco Bay. Our support helps the organization continue to be the eyes, ears and voice of Casco Bay.
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Maine Appalachian Trail Club
The Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) is a volunteer-driven public service organization formed in 1935 to manage and maintain the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in Maine, from the summit of Katahdin to Maine Highway 26 in Grafton Notch. Not a hiking or outing club, the MATC exists solely for the protection and perpetuation of the Appalachian Trail. Among the group's projects are lean-to and site construction, trail relocation, brush and blowdown removal, blazing trails and footpath improvement. The MATC places five caretakers and ridge runners at busy backcountry A.T. campsites. These caretakers reach an estimated 10,000 backpackers with Leave No Trace education, with a focus on youth groups.
For more than 25 years, L.L.Bean's annual contribution to the MATC has funded the purchase of the materials and equipment necessary to support the volunteers – many of whom are L.L.Bean employees – who maintain the Appalachian Trail in Maine. L.L.Bean also supplies funding and equipment for the caretaker and ridge runner program.
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Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) conserves and stewards Maine's coastal lands and islands for their renowned scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, ecological diversity and working landscapes. MCHT promotes the conservation of natural places statewide by working with land trusts, communities and other partners. Founded in 1970, the trust was a pioneer in the use of conservation easements as a way to protect land. Since then, MCHT has worked to protect more than 130,000 acres in Maine, including more than 260 entire coastal islands.
In support of Maine's land conservation community, Maine Coast Heritage Trust hosts the annual Maine Land Conservation Conference with support from L.L.Bean. MCHT is also home to the Maine Land Trust Network program, which provides services, support, resources, training and networking opportunities to Maine's land conservation community. L.L.Bean teamed up with MCHT to create the L.L.Bean Maine Land Trust Grant Program, a competitive re-grant program that supports stewardship activities and capacity building projects undertaken by local land trusts around the state.
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Maine Huts and Trails
Founded in 2001, Maine Huts & Trails' (MHT) vision is to build and operate a hut-to-hut trail system in western Maine. When completed, Maine Huts & Trails will include up to 12 rustic, yet comfortable, backcountry huts and more than 180 miles of non-motorized trails. Organization objectives are to:
- Protect and provide opportunities for future generations to experience the natural beauty of western Maine
- Introduce the wonders of the outdoors to young people in hopes of creating tomorrow's outdoor stewards
- Encourage healthy lifestyles by creating opportunities for accessible, people-powered, outdoor recreation
- Create economic development by encouraging more outdoor enthusiasts to the region year-round
Upon completion, this system of trails, huts and waterway corridors will run from the Bethel area to the Moosehead Lake area, through some of the most spectacular backcountry riverfront, lakefront, and mountain scenery that the northern forest has to offer.
L.L.Bean is one of the founding supporters of MHT and we're pleased to share their vision of encouraging current and future generations to enjoy this spectacular region of Maine.
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Maine Island Trail Association
The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) is a membership organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the wild islands of coastal Maine. With over 180 sites and over two decades of community-building, stewardship and education, the organization has developed a model of sustainable recreation and created America's first recreational water trail. The 375-mile waterway extends from the New Hampshire border to Maine's Machias Bay. Current members enjoy access to trail properties for day use or overnight visits in return for observing low-impact techniques and guidelines outlined in MITA's annual 250-page guide.
L.L.Bean is a sponsor of MITA's Stewardship Handbook and Guidebook. In addition, product donations have leveraged the organization's fundraising capacity.
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Maine Professional Guides Association
The Maine Professional Guides Association's (MPGA) mission is to protect and enhance the profession and outdoor heritage of Maine guides, and to maintain the resources they depend upon.
The Association is composed of registered Maine Guides who work to enhance the standards of the guiding industry through professional development, legislative advocacy and public outreach. Members are professional guides dedicated to promoting a quality, ethical and legal outdoor experience for all. They strive to maintain credentials and qualifications that exceed the requirements of the law. The membership nears 700 guides from throughout Maine, including the majority of Maine's Master Guides.
L.L.Bean funds the MPGA's Maine Guides Education Fund. The Fund's mission is to educate the public regarding outdoor recreation, public access, land conservation, land use policy, fish and wildlife management and the sustainable use of natural resources. They participate with Maine's industry, land owners, land managers, agricultural interests, state and federal government and sporting and conservation groups to ensure the future of Maine's outdoor recreation heritage traditions, including hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing and snowmobiling.
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National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation (NPF) is the congressionally chartered nonprofit partner of America's National Parks. Created by Congress in 1967, the NPF strengthens the enduring connection between the American people and their National Parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness.
L.L.Bean has worked with the National Park Foundation to fund innovative programs such as the propane-powered Island Explorer bus system in Acadia National Park and to create a fund for local national parks in the greater Washington, D.C., area. This partnership supports our customers' interests and enhances opportunities to enjoy quality outdoor recreational experiences. L.L.Bean is pleased to offer the opportunity for customers to direct their L.L.Bean Visa Coupon Dollars to the NPF to further its mission.
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Natural Resources Council of Maine
The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) works statewide for clean air, healthy waters, safeguards for our people and wildlife, forest protections and clean, renewable energy solutions. Founded in 1959, NRCM and its supporters have helped keep Maine a place of livable communities, outdoor traditions and tremendous natural beauty through science, the law and the voices of more than 12,000 supporters across Maine and beyond.
For over 35 years, NRCM's educational outreach efforts have been underwritten by L.L.Bean's annual contribution.
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New England Nordic Ski Association
Cross-country skiing is a lifetime activity firmly rooted in New England tradition. The New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) brings the excitement of cross-country skiing to people throughout New England. NENSA is the Olympic development organization for cross-country skiing in New England as well as the umbrella for most organized Nordic skiing events in the region. NENSA hosts or sanctions competitive events and clinics for skiers and coaches at venues across the Northeast.
As NENSA's official outfitter, L.L.Bean is committed to keeping its crew comfortable during outdoor events year-round, from the hottest summer training sessions through the coldest winter race days.
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Northern Forest Canoe Trail
Founded in 2000, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) has established a 740-mile recreational paddling trail for kayaks and canoes, linking the watersheds of northern New York, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire and Maine. Flowing with the stories of Native Americans, European settlers, and the development of towns and the timber industry, the Trail's rich heritage offers paddlers a living reminder of a time when rivers were both highways and routes of communication. The NFCT represents a series of interconnected destinations, extending through a diversity of waterways, landscapes and communities within the Northern Forest and highlighting local resources. The Trail is managed and maintained by community-based stewardship organizations.
L.L.Bean's funding helped to develop and print a series of three brochures about birding, fishing and paddling safety along the trail. Funds were also used to hold dedication events on National Trails Day in each of the four states through which the trail passes. Thirdly, the funds assist with the outreach and development of a canoe trail stewardship program.
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Portland Trails
Founded in 1991, Portland Trails (PT) is a member-supported urban land trust with a mission to create a 50-mile network of public trails in Greater Portland, Maine. The group serves as a public advocate for trail development, land protection, and people-powered recreation and transportation in the city, and encourages local neighborhoods and the business community to take part in trail use and stewardship.
L.L.Bean is Portland Trails' Business Trail Leader, which includes providing yearly support for operations and programs, membership in the Adopt-a-Trail stewardship program and lead sponsorship of PT's "Happy Trails" fundraising event.
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Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
Founded in 1927, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a volunteer organization dedicated to the stewardship of trails throughout the Mid-Atlantic Appalachian Trail and 730 miles of other hiking trails in national parks and forests, as well as state, regional and local parks.
L.L.Bean employees maintain a 2-mile section of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. PATC has also benefited from product and cash donations as well as support through the L.L.Bean Grants to Clubs program through the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
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Upper Valley Trails Alliance
The Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA) is a coalition of trail users, trail and land-protection organizations and landowners in forty-four communities along the Connecticut River in New Hampshire and Vermont. The Upper Valley Trails Alliance advocates for the use, maintenance and development of trails in the region. Through education, outreach and stewardship, the UVTA:
- promotes active lifestyles through trail use in all seasons
- connects people and places through a regional trail network
- leads a coalition of local trail groups and advocates
UVTA's Passport to Winter Fun program is designed to encourage outdoor activity during the long Northern New England winters through a fun, elementary-school-based model. Other goals are the realization of the Upper Valley Loop Trail, a multimodal trail corridor that will link four core communities in the region through an integrated network of biking, walking and hiking trails. UVTA is also working on using emerging technologies to disseminate the most easy-to-use and up-to-date trail information in the region.
With the opening of the West Lebanon, NH, retail store, L.L.Bean pledged financial support to UVTA to install informational kiosks at nearly 20 trailheads on local conservation lands. The company also established the L.L.Bean Trail Stewardship Fund to support projects of UVTA trails organizations.
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