Maine Land Conservation Conference Registration Now Open
Maine Coast Heritage Trust is please to announce that registration for the 2021 Maine Land Conservation Conference is now open. Join us for a series of webinars focused on four topics – climate resilience, indigenous engagement, environmental education, and responding to increased use of preserves. The presentations will be spread out over several weeks and one low price of $25 includes access to everything. Highlights include a Welcome Spring concert by recording artist Ben Cosgrove and a keynote address by Land Trust Alliance President Andrew Bowman. Some sessions are still in the works, so check the website often and keep an eye on future Infolines for updates. Our first session on climate resilience is just three weeks away – register soon.
We look forward to seeing you at our first ever virtual conference,
During COVID, Mainers sought places to recreate and be with friends in the relative safety of the outdoors, resulting in unprecedented numbers of visitors to land trust preserves. Providing important places to unwind was an incredible benefit to the people of Maine, but the added stress on conserved lands is undeniable. MLTN initiated a series of press releases last spring, and then again in the summer, to encourage safe and sustainable use of preserves. We did this in coordination with multiple state agencies, manufacturers of outdoor gear and many others.
Now, the State of Maine is building on these efforts with a marketing campaign, website, and more, to encourage this theme of being safe while getting outdoors. The “Look Out for ME” campaign includes a toolkit that will help state agencies, private companies, nonprofits, and others distribute materials with this campaign’s themes. You can visit their Look Out for ME webpage here.
We’re pleased to help promote this campaign. By sending the same messages as our partners in the State, outdoor gear manufacturers, and others, we’ll be doing our part to ensure that everyone gets outside safely during these challenging times.
Opportunity to Partner with Teens To Trails and School Outing Clubs
Teenagers are losing their connection with nature at an accelerated pace, yet enjoying time outdoors with peers is critical for teenage development. Teens to Trails helps high schools start and sustain outing clubs. Transportation is always a challenge but with support from the Maine Community Foundation’s Conservation for All fund, Teens to Trails is connecting students with “nearby nature.”
Teens To Trails would like to introduce each outing club to their local conservation organization to ensure that kids know where to go for healthy outdoor activities, club outings, service work or just to simply get to know their town better. Do you have a preserve or trail that seems especially great for this age group? If you would like to build a connection to the teenagers in your service area, please complete this short form, and they will make an introduction.
For more information, contact Alicia Heyburn, Executive Director, Teens To Trails.
Technologies to Help Track Your Finances
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
2:00-3:30pm
Price: $70 for member; $100 for non-members
Brought to you by The Land Trust Alliance
Build your understanding of the requirements for managing federal funds whether your land trust receives them directly from a federal agency or through an agreement with another governmental or nonprofit entity. Recognize how accepting federal dollars can require your land trust to have an expensive and potentially time consuming Single Audit, and establish more sophisticated fiscal policies and procedures even if such an audit is not required. Webinar topics will include:
Distinctions between Grants, Awards, Cooperative Agreements, and Contracts – understanding the rules that come with each
Why it doesn’t matter whether the federal dollars actually flow through your bank accounts – how to deal with federal funds transferred at closings for easements or land purchases
Cost allocation plans and recovering administrative and/or indirect costs
Subcontracts or sub-recipient agreements – understanding your responsibilities if you pass federal dollars through to other entities
For details including pre-work and registration link, visit the Land Trust Alliance website to register.
Federal Tax Law: The Latest and Greatest for 2021
Thursday, March 4, 2021
2:00-3:30pm
Price: $70 for member; $100 for non-members
Brought to you by The Land Trust Alliance
As usual, there’s a lot going on at the Tax Court and at the IRS that land trusts need to know about. Attorneys Jessica Jay and Rob Levin (yup, our own Rob Levin from right here in Maine) will bring everyone up to speed on the latest developments in case law and actions to curtail conservation easement syndicated deals. How will you benefit from this webinar?
Hear the latest decisions/actions from the courts and IRS concerning conservation easements/fee land donations
Learn prudent strategies to address those actions/decisions
Learn that latest on conservation easement syndications
Visit LTA’s website to register.
Planned Giving 101
Two Wednesdays, March 10 & 17, 2021
1:00-2:30pm
Cost: $89 for MANP members*
Brought to you by Maine Association of Nonprofits
This two-part virtual workshop helps even the smallest shops focus on ways to effectively and efficiently “get in the game” with planned giving. Rather than the arcane detail of the more complex planned gifts, the presenter will instead focus on basic action steps for developing a planned giving strategy that works for your organization. Participants will develop an appreciation for the fundamental difference between a donor’s income and assets, and how to focus on the most likely and simpler planned gifts that will convert those assets into gifts.
Even if you are a small nonprofit – you can create and develop a successful and impactful planned giving program that can complement and enhance your annual fundraising efforts. Visit MANP’s website for more information and to register.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check on your organization’s membership status.
Board Roles and Responsibilities
Friday, March 19, 2021
11:30am-1:00pm
Price: $45 for MANP members*
Brought to you by Maine Association of Nonprofits
A strong board of directors is built upon clear understanding of basic roles and responsibilities. This session will provide an overview of a board’s primary legal duties, important responsibilities and essential roles in governing the organization and stewarding its mission. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the role of the board and its responsibilities, and discuss strategies for building and sustaining an effective board.
This webinar is for individuals already serving on nonprofit boards who are seeking an overview of their roles and responsibilities. Board members who have at least 6 months of board service will gain the most from participation. It is strongly suggested that multiple board members from the same organization and the executive director participate as a team for maximum benefit. Visit MANP’s website for details and registration.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check on your MLTN membership status.
Jobs in the Conservation Sector
It’s the time of year when job postings abound, both seasonal and permanent! Here are our latest additions. Click here for full list.
Land and Stewardship Coordinator – Kennebec Estuary Land Trust
Program Coordinator – South Portland Land Trust
Interpretive Specialist – Baxter State Park
Downeast Maine Stewardship Assistant – Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Damariscove Island Stewards (2 must apply as a team) – Boothbay Region Land Trust
Andrew Family Foundation Grants
Letters of Inquiry Due: Monday, March 15, 2021 via online system
The Andrew Family Foundation seeks to partner with one or more organizations that offer creative solutions which address issues facing under-resourced communities and protect and preserve the natural environment in which they live. Preference will be given to programs where these two interests intersect. Their goal is to have an impact in the communities that lack access to economic and social opportunity and essential resources. They desire to work toward resolving these inequalities by alleviating disparities in food access, affordable housing, high quality education, physical and psychological healthcare, and/or criminal justice.
The Andrew Family Foundation intends to engage in long-term collaborations to affect measurable change. In addition to providing financial resources, we intend/expect to be actively involved in promoting the growth and expansion of the selected programs or organizations.
To learn more about Andrew Family Foundation and their application process, visit their website.
New England Grass Roots Environmental Fund Grow Grants
Applications Due: March 16, 2021
The New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Inc. seeks to energize and nurture long-term civic engagement through local initiatives that create and maintain healthy, just, safe, and environmentally sustainable communities in any of the six New England states. To that end, the Grassroots Fund welcomes applications for its Grow Grants program. Through the program, grants of up to $4,000 will be awarded in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont. Grants are intended to deepen applicants’ work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes. Successful applicants should have some experience implementing a project in their community.
Grow Grants prioritize support for community groups that represent a broad range of voices in the community and that are not being reached by other funders. The Grassroots Fund interprets the word “environment” broadly and provides funding for a range of activities.
To be eligible, applicants must have an annual operating budget of under $100,000; be doing work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont; and be volunteer driven (or have no more than two full-time paid staff or equivalent). Applicants need not have formal tax status or a fiscal sponsor.
See the Grassroots Fund website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.
