Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, and Senator Angus King, the Chair of the Senate National Parks Subcommittee, announced an award of $1,000,000 for the conservation of 216 acres of intertidal and freshwater wetlands and adjacent uplands in Trenton. The acquisition will be managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in partnership with the Frenchman Bay Conservancy. 

“Trenton is a beautiful gateway to Mount Desert Island, and protecting its ecological health is critical to the surrounding region, including Acadia National Park,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “By preserving more than 200 acres of land, this conservation project will promote coastal resilience, safeguard native ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and provide economic benefits.”

Coastal wetlands are vitally important in protecting from floods, filtering water, supporting recreation and local economies, and providing habitat for fish and wildlife.  Despite their importance, there has been a steady loss of coastal wetlands. 

The funding was awarded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of $19 million in competitively awarded grants supporting 21 projects in eight coastal states to protect, restore, or enhance nearly 14,000 acres of coastal wetlands and adjacent upland habitats under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.

The 2023 grants will help recover coastal-dependent species, enhance flood protection and water quality, provide economic benefits to Tribes and underserved communities, increase outdoor recreational opportunities, and benefit habitat and wildlife at several national wildlife refuges.