The Nature Conservancy's Maine chapter has launched a fundraising campaign -- For Maine Forever -- to bring in $50 million to protect the state's unique lands and rivers.

The campaign's goal is to raise $15 million for projects in southern and coastal Maine, plus another $35 million to buy 185,000 acres along the Upper St. John River -- the longest free-flowing wilderness river east of the Mississippi.

Also being protected by the campaign will be Mount Agamentious, the Saco River, several Maine coastal islands, Kennebunk Plains, Merrymeeting Bay and the Lower Kennebec River, Cobscook Bay and the Dennys River and Camden Hills.

Three leadership gifts have already been made to the campaign, including the Kresge Foundation's $1.5 million challenge grant for the St. John River project. The grant -- the largest the foundation has made for conservation -- requires The Nature Conservancy raise another $5.5 million in contributions by January 2001.

A $500,000 donation for the St. John River project was also given by natural-products maker Tom's of Maine.

An additional $750,000 grant was given by food retailer Hannaford Bros. Co. to leverage public funding for sites that share the interest of both the Conservancy and the Land For Maine's Future Board.

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