Joint ACF panel recommends two nominees to Land for Maine’s Future board

The joint standing committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry unanimously recommended confirmation of Benjamin (Ben) Pearson of Durham and the reappointment of Malcolm (Mack) Hunter Jr. of Amherst to the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) board following public hearings Tuesday.

The committee chairs opened separate confirmation hearings for each nominee and read the statutory requirements under 3 MRSA §157 that require an affirmative committee recommendation. Tom Labello, deputy chief of staff to Governor Mills, presented both nominations and urged the committee to approve them.

Labello described Pearson’s decades of experience in outdoor recreation and conservation-oriented volunteer work, and said Pearson’s background would help LMF evaluate the recreational and ecological value of parcels under consideration. "Mr. Pearson has spent more than 30 years with Elabine as director of the sporting goods business group and senior product manager," Labello said in presenting the nominee.

Pearson, who identified himself as Ben Pearson of Durham, told the committee he supports LMF’s purposes and emphasized access to natural landscapes for families and future stewards. "I would be very proud to join this effort and do my part for today's and future generations," Pearson said.

Laura Graham, director of the Land for Maine’s Future program, testified in support of both nominees. On Pearson she said his understanding of working farms and forests, plus extensive volunteer service, "would serve LMF well."

For the second hearing Labello summarized Malcolm Hunter Jr.’s record as an emeritus professor of wildlife ecology and conservation biology at the University of Maine, noting Hunter’s international research and service on scientific and civic boards relevant to land conservation.

Graham also spoke in support of Hunter’s reappointment, calling him "always engaged, always prepared, and always collegial," and citing his contributions on sustainable forestry and geographic diversity of LMF-funded properties.

After taking the required public comment period (none opposed in either hearing), the committee took roll-call votes. The motion to recommend confirmation of Benjamin Pearson passed 11–0; the motion to recommend Malcolm Hunter Jr.’s reappointment passed 10–0. The chairs said written notice of the committee recommendations will be sent to the president of the Senate as required by law.

The hearings were livestreamed and will be archived as part of the legislative record. The committee closed the hearings and moved on to other agenda items.

The next procedural step is for the Senate to consider the committee’s recommendation on each nomination.