AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Maine Snowmobile Association recently honored private, municipal and corporate landowners for their generosity in opening up their land to outdoor enthusiasts.

Fourteen individuals or entities received recognition at the annual Landowner Relations Awards Banquet on Tuesday, Oct. 20 in Augusta, which was sponsored by IF&W and hosted by MSA. Among them was Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust of Oquossoc, nominated by the Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen’s Association.

“More than 90 percent of Maine’s land is privately owned, and the generosity of landowners to allow access to hunters, anglers, snowmobilers and ATV riders, as well as other enthusiasts, is something to be applauded,” said Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “We remind outdoor recreationalists to always ask first before going onto someone’s land. It’s the right thing to do.”

The IF&W Landowner Relations Program seeks to maintain and build on Maine’s unique heritage of public access to private land for recreation and sport use, and works to ensure that the relationship between private landowners and the public is one of respect and good judgment.

“Public access to private property is a privilege and not a right,” said Col. Joel Wilkinson of the Maine Warden Service. “Without the support and generosity of private landowners, the majority of outdoor users would not have places to enjoy a whole host of outdoor activities.”

More than 500 nomination forms were distributed to various user groups, such as ATV, snowmobile, and fish and game clubs, and the nominations were reviewed by an awards committee that included representatives from the Maine Warden Service, the Maine Snowmobile Association, Maine ATV, and the state’s Landowner Relations Director.

To date, the IF&W Landowner Relations Program has recognized more than 80 landowners for their outstanding efforts in allowing their land to be used for public recreation.