Have you noticed the DSF signs along the roads Downeast? These signs mark
important parcels for those who value our great outdoors and represent how
far DSF has come in recent years.
Addison Marsh DSF Sign
Just after DSF’s 40th birthday in 2022, we
were rewarded with the fruits of our land protection efforts by becoming an
accredited land trust by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in February
2023. The application and review process took several years to complete, and
we now join the ranks of many other land trusts in Maine and around the
country that follow a transparent set of standards and practices for land ac-
quisition, management, and organizational governance. The Downeast Salm-
on Federation (DSF) has taken the opportunity to purchase and preserve over
6,000 acres and 55 miles of waterfront.
Land Trust Accreditation
Some 80 parcels make up 30-plus preserves that help protect valuable Atlantic Salmon
habitat. Many of these parcels safeguard traditional fishing holes, access points for kay-
aks and canoes, and camp sites frequented by those on river trips. They will remain
open to public use in perpetuity. DSF recognizes the importance of keeping a part of
the region wild while preserving our old traditions.
To protect sea-run fish in Downeast Maine rivers, DSF operates two Atlantic Salmon
hatcheries, leads restoration projects to improve fish passage and enhance habitat
quality, monitors fish populations, engages with local communities through educational
and community programs, and manages lands for recreation. DSF’s land trust program
is just one aspect of the work we do, but it is a critical one.