2010 Maine Land Conservation Conference
Workshops – Session C: Saturday, May 1st 3:15 – 4:30 PM
C1: Habitat Connections: Maintaining and Restoring Critical Links
This workshop will first review basic needs of fish and wildlife moving from one part of the landscape to another. Next we’ll show some emerging tools for identifying critical links where roads and other barriers currently fragment terrestrial and aquatic habitat. Participants will be asked to question assumptions, discuss ways to better identify where the most important protection and restoration priorities are, and explore how to maintain and increase landscape connectivity. All
Presenters: Daniel Coker and Joshua Royte, The Nature Conservancy in Maine
C2: The Wildlands and Woodlands of Maine
The Wildlands and Woodlands vision promotes a regional conservation strategy that preserves the multiple benefits of our various forested landscapes. This is envisioned as a mosaic of minimally impacted forest reserves (Wildlands) embedded with managed forestlands for diverse purposes such as timber and recreation (Woodlands). This workshop will outline the science behind a regional conservation vision for New England and discuss innovative finance strategies for conservation efforts. Participants will be asked for their input. Intermediate/Advanced
Presenters: Rob Lilieholm and Lloyd Irland, University of Maine
C3: Top 10 Reasons Land Trusts Sue and Get Sued
“Litigation, schmitigation. We’ll never get sued!” That’s what you think. Learn about your land trust’s biggest litigation risks in this new workshop. Presented by a Maine attorney who has overseen a nationwide database of over 170 court cases maintained by the Land Trust Alliance (the Land Conservation Case Law Summaries), the workshop will draw upon lessons learned from these cases and focus on practical tips to help your organization stay out of court. Accessible to non-attorneys. Intermediate/Advanced
Presenter: Rob Levin, Attorney at Law
C4: Invasive Plants and Land Trusts: A War of Attrition?
Beleaguered by bittersweet? Thwarted by thistle? In this workshop speakers will address what your land trust should know before deciding to tackle boots- on-the-ground management of invasive plant species on conserved lands. Topics covered will include regulations that may affect you, worst plant invaders, and best methods of control in the Northeast. There will be case studies of successes and struggles and a group discussion. All
Presenters: Ronald C. Lemin, Jr., Maine Council on Integrated Pest Management and the New England Society of American Foresters and Nancy Sferra, The Nature Conservancy in Maine
C5: Big Outreach for Little Land Trusts
Ever wonder how some groups manage to develop and run field trainings, outdoor explorations, and educational programs on a tight budget? Drawn from the experiences of the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust and others, we’ll discuss methods for identifying and engaging new constituents; how to build community partnerships; sustainable financing strategies; ways to leverage little time and less money; and tips for promoting, publicizing and pitching events. All
Presenters: Jed Beach, Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Alicia Heyburn, Kennebec Estuary Land Trust
C6: Effective Membership Programs
This workshop will focus on some of the essential ingredients required to make a membership program effective. Topics will include defining (gift levels & cut offs), recruiting, mailings, appeal letters, servicing and communicating with members. Beginner/Intermediate
Presenters: Theresa Kerchner, Kennebec Land Trust; Kristin Lindquist, Coastal Mountains Land Trust; and Angela Twitchell, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust
C7: A Safety Net for Conservation Permanence
Land conservation leaders are concerned about the increase in the cost and the number of legal challenges to conservation easements and fee lands. One serious challenge could bankrupt most land trusts. This workshop will review current trends, challenges, and costs. There will also be a discussion on the status of the Land Trust Alliance’s investigations into an alternative collective defense. Participants will review the business terms and commitment letter for the Alliance’s possible insurance program and review other initiatives designed to assist land trusts with meeting these challenges. All
Presenters: Kevin Case, Land Trust Alliance; Scott Dickerson, Coastal Mountains Land Trust; Karin Marchetti Ponte, Maine Coast Heritage Trust
C8: All-Volunteer Land Trust Round Table
This session has been created in response to requests from all-volunteer land trusts for an opportunity to talk about what inspires them, what worries them and what they should do in response to the challenges that confront them. Join us for a facilitated discussion of what these trusts are doing about adding capacity, raising money, gaining community support, working alone, working together and more. All
Facilitated by Deb Chapman, Maine Coast Heritage Trust
C9: Trails, Food & Homes – Land Trusts Working with Their Communities
Land trusts throughout Maine are working with local communities to help make life better. This session will highlight three different projects that provide a social benefit. We’ll discuss reasons to take on community projects, benefits to the land trust and pitfalls to avoid. Intermediate
Presenters: Ron Howard, Maine Coast Heritage Trust; Carrie Kinne, Kennebec Estuary Land Trust; and Brian Reilly, Maine Coast Heritage Trust
C10: Getting More from Your Communications Program
Would your organization like to “get the word out” more effectively? How can your newsletters, web-based outreach, and press contacts help people better understand and appreciate your conservation work? Learn how to craft the communications strategy you need to drive support for your land trust. All
Presenters: Marina Schauffler, Natural Choices and Lee Dassler, Western Foothills Land Trust
C11: Contribute to Place
Learn about a new partnership between land trusts and local businesses that has the potential to bring significant funds to your organization. We will cover the goals, spirit and fundamentals of the program and hear from a successful pilot project participant about keys to success. All
Presenter: Tom Henderson, Upper Saco Valley Land Trust
