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MLTN Infoline – July 20, 2021

July 23, 2021|

Three Important Grant Deadlines to Remember

Summer is such a busy time – don’t let these grant deadlines to take you by surprise.
 
Hopefully you’ve also heard the great news about the Land for Maine’s Future Program. The Governor and legislators from both parties have chosen to fund LMF to the tune of $40M over four years. Since this is an appropriation and not a bond, the program can start spending that money right away! If you have a project that has LMF potential, or if you have questions about the program, please contact Jeff Romano, Public Policy Manager at Maine Coast Heritage Trust. 
 
Many organizations stepped up, but it was the partnership between land trusts and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine that led this five-year effort to re-build LMF. Thanks for your support of this important work.
 
Looking forward to seeing these projects come to life!
Whit, Jeff, and Donna

First Light Benefit Concert for Indigenous-Led Land Return

Featuring Lula Wiles
Saturday, July 24th, 2021
7:00pm
Buy tickets to attend live or watch the livestream
First Light is holding a fundraiser and benefit concert featuring the music of Lula Wiles and aims to raise 20k or more for Indigenous-led Land Return efforts in the Northeast. 100% of donations and ticket sales will be donated directly to Bomazeen Land Trust, Native Land Conservancy, Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust, and the Wabanaki Commission on Land and Stewardship to support Indigenous leadership on projects to reconnect their communities with land. We hope you’ll tune in through the livestream or buy a ticket to attend the concert in person to enjoy the folky music of Lula Wiles, and make a donation to help them reach their goal. What a fun event and a great opportunity to support Indigenous people!

Mass & RI Land Trust Conference Recording on Indigenous Engagement

Maine Coast Heritage Trust Project Manager Ciona Ulbrich presented a workshop at the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Land Conservation Conference earlier this year, and offered a slightly different focus than she and Peter Forbes did for their Maine Conference session. Mass Land Trust Coalition has graciously allowed us to share the recording of their session with our Maine land trusts. Ciona does a wonderful job of explaining First Light, sharing her perspective on efforts here in Maine, and offering some concrete tips on how your organization can get started thinking about Indigenous engagement.
 
Visit the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Land Conference page here and click on The Intersection of Conservation and Indigenous Peoples’ Access to Land. Thank you, Mass Land Trust Coalition!

Registration Now Open for Maine Coastal Clean Up

Various dates and times in September
The Maine Coastal Program, a Division of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), has opened registration for the annual Coastal Cleanup. The Coastal Cleanup is a volunteer-driven initiative designed to clean debris from Maine’s coastal shores and waterfront communities. Part of the International Coastal Cleanup, Maine’s Coastal Cleanup will run during the month of September. Anyone who wishes to coordinate a local cleanup can register online by completing a form and selecting one of nearly 150 sites along the coast.
 
The International Coastal Cleanup was established over 35 years ago to address the problem of trash in our oceans and on our coasts. The non-profit Ocean Conservancy, which coordinates the global initiative, maintains a database of all the items that volunteers around the world record when collecting trash, and publishes a report of each years Cleanup.
 
For more information regarding Maines Coastal Cleanup program, please contact Theresa Torrent, Outreach & Stewardship Specialist at the Maine Coastal Program. Photo courtesy Maine Radio Group.

Models of Governance

Wednesday, August 4th, 2021
4:30-6:00pm
Cost: $45 for MANP members*, $65 for nonmembers
Brought to you thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Great boards don’t happen by accident. It takes vision, planning, training, structure, tools, technology, passion, and dedication to create a high-impact board. In this session, the presenter will lead nonprofit board members through an educational training on effective models of nonprofit governance. This workshop is great for current and future board members, along with nonprofit staff who work with boards. Topics include: 
  • Define “Governance” and what it means to be on a nonprofit board 
  • Develop a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities of a nonprofit board member 
  • Learn the characteristics of a high-impact board 
  • Understand various types of boards: working board, managing board, policy board, ratifying board, and a failing board
Learn more and register at MANP’s website and be sure use the discount code.
 
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check on your MLTN membership status.

Calling All High School Climate Educators – Climate Education Retreat

August 10 – 13, 2021
Hosted at the Ecology School, in partnership with Kennebunkport Climate Initiative
Cost: $75, please contact if cost is an issue
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required
The Climate Education Retreat is a professional development opportunity designed to support high school classroom teachers incorporating climate education in their curriculum to teach, empower, and inspire students and community members to take action to adapt to or mitigate climate change.
 
Over the course of three nights and four days, teachers will build their climate knowledge, network with colleagues, have supported time to develop implementable projects/curriculum, be treated to delicious, farm fresh meals, and stay in The Ecology School’s new dormitory.
 
Visit KCI’s website for more information and to register. Contact Leia Lowery with any questions.

Inclusion and Diversity for Boards

Wednesday, August 18th, 2021
4:30-6:00pm
Cost: $45 for MANP members*, $65 for nonmembers
Brought to you thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Is building an inclusive and welcoming board culture a priority for your organization? While very important, even well-intended efforts to do so can be insensitive and harmful. It matters how your organization recruits board members and recruiting efforts must be done thoughtfully to create a culture that values every perspective. How do you diversify board membership? How do you set up an environment that welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives? How do you name the privilege that is inherently in the room to ensure privileged voices sit back?
 
Learn more and register at MANP’s website and be sure use the discount code.
 
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check on your MLTN membership status.

Jobs in the Conservation Sector

New opportunities available now. Click here for full list.
Digital Media Intern – Northeast Wilderness Trust
Policy Analyst/Staff Scientist – Associations of State Wetlands Managers
Parks Maintenance Technician – Town of Yarmouth
Development Assistant – Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Deputy Executive Director – Maine Woodland Owners

Recreational Trails Program

Applications Due: 5:00pm September 24th, 2021
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The RTP provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for motorized and nonmotorized recreational trail uses. The Bureau of Parks and Lands has been designated the state agency to administer the program in Maine. Eligible projects may include:
  • Maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trails.
  • Development and rehabilitation of trail side and trailhead facilities and trail linkages for recreational trails.
  • Construction of new recreational trails.
  • Acquisition of easements or fee simple title to property for recreational trails or recreational trail corridors.
Get more information at the RTP webpage.