Each year, millions of visitors enjoy the rugged, natural beauty of Maine and New Hampshire. Through the Contribute to Place™ partnership, businesses provide guests and patrons the opportunity to give a small donation that goes directly to preserving the lands and waters that define our communities and enrich our lives here on the Eastern Slope and the Mount Washington Valley.

These voluntary gifts help the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust pursue its mission of working with local landowners to permanently protect their forest and farmlands through conservation easements. In addition, these contributions will help the USVLT acquire and manage natural resource reserves that protect the scenic beauty of Maine and New Hampshire, including working forests, productive farmlands, high quality recreational opportunities, pristine waters and habitats for native wildlife.

The Contribute to Place™ program is a statewide program of the Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN) that fosters partnerships in local communities between local business and the local land trust. The Upper Saco Valley Land Trust is a member of the MLTN and operates the program locally.

How it Works
Businesses that sign up as partners in Contribute to Place™ agree to inform their guests about the local conservation efforts and the mission of the USLVT and provide their guests or customers the opportunity to make a small contribution to support local land conservation and stewardship. The donation shows as a voluntary charge on the customer's bill. They can easily opt out and ask the charge to be removed. Partner businesses transfer the Contribute to Place™ donations to the USVLT for use in community conservation efforts. Our business partners are making a significant difference towards preserving our special places, without businesses having to impact their financial resources.

How your business benefits
By becoming a partner in Contribute to Place™ you gain a marketing tool at a time of increased consumer interest in green oriented businesses. One major goal of the MLTN is to build brand recognition for Contribute to Place™ that consumers know and thus seek out participating establishments when making plans for leisure time and recreation. This visible demonstration of your business's environmental commitment will be recognized while you help to preserve the place you and your customers love. You will be able to advertise your commitment and involvement in this branded program in all your advertising media. In addition, the USVLT will list all participating businesses on its website and in its organization's publications. We will also strive to develop a synergistic relationship between visitors, our businesses and the many special activities available in our region.

Conclusion
Recent survey numbers from the hospitality industry suggest that 61% of Americans believe their travel experience is better when their destination preserves unique natural, historic, and cultural sites. This program gives visitors the opportunity become a part of place and to give something small back to ensure their wonderful experiences are not lost to future generations.

Contribute to Place™ provides residents, visitors and local businesses the opportunity to support the preservation our local gems, incomparable landscape and the reason we love to live, work and visit here. These small contributions can collectively provide significant resources to advance and achieve this mission.