MLTN Infoline – April 26, 2022
Spring Meet Ups for Land Trusts
While we couldn’t pull off an in-person conference this year, we still wanted to offer our land trust colleagues an opportunity to gather together for real, NOT virtually! These gatherings at different micro-breweries around the state will be an opportunity to celebrate, to reconnect, and also to meet MCHT’s new President Kate Stookey. Kate was raised in Blue Hill, and after spreading her wings in other parts of the world, she’s excited to return home and anxious to meet other land trust leaders and hear their perspectives. Attendance is free but space is limited, so register early. For now, we have meet ups planned in Freeport (May 10th), Biddeford (May 17th), and Newcastle (June 14th) ready for registration. Visit our events page for more information and to register. Can’t wait to raise a glass with you! | |
| Conservation Gets Boost in Augusta | |
Governor Mills recently signed an appropriation measure with strong bipartisan support from legislators in both bodies. The bill, LD 1995, includes measures supportive of various initiatives within the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) that are related to the work of Maine’s land trust community. Highlights include increased staffing at the Land for Maine’s Future Program, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and within the Department’s municipal planning program. In addition, policymakers approved significant financial support directed towards PFAs abatement, mitigation, and clean up, a growing threat to the state’s agricultural lands. Read more here. | |
The En-ROADS Climate Workshop | |
Thursday, April 28, 2022 7:00am or 2:00pm Cost: FREE The En-ROADS Climate Workshop is an interactive, virtual experience that has been co-developed with Climate Interactive and the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative. During the workshop, you’ll be able to visualize the impact of different climate solutions in real-time, using the En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator—a user-friendly climate model. En-ROADS will be used to explore the impacts of cross-sector solutions—from carbon pricing, to energy efficiency, to innovations in new technology—and learn about how to create equitable transformation. The En-ROADS Climate Workshop is for people of all backgrounds and expertises. Learn more about En-ROADS Climate Workshop here. Click on the time of your choice to register: April 28th at 7:00 am – REGISTER HERE April 28th at 2:00 pm – REGISTER HERE | |
Maine Woods Forever Spring Roundtable: Dark Sky Maine | |
Friday, April 29, 2022 11:00am-12:00pm Cost: FREE Join the founders of Dark Sky Maine, Nancy Hathaway, John T. Meader, and Shawn Laastsch, for a presentation and brief question and answer period on Dark Sky Maine designations. The Appalachian Mountain Club recently went through a rigorous certification process to become the first Dark Sky Park in New England. Likewise, steps are being taken to designate the new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument as a Dark Sky Sanctuary. What’s the difference between the two? What does this mean economically, socially, and culturally for the State of Maine? What opportunities does this hold for local communities? Pre-registration is required for this event. Click here to register. | |
Communicating Climate Change | |
Tuesday, May 3, 2022 2:00-3:30pm Cost: $70 for LTA members, $100 for nonmembers Join Megan Anderson from the National Network for Climate Change Interpretation for this webinar that will increase your comfort level in communicating climate change. Using research and techniques developed in partnership with NOAA and the National Science Foundation, this webinar will help you have positive, solutions-focused conversation with your community. Participants will gain:
Visit LTA’s website to register. | |
Building and Managing Operating Reserves | |
Tuesday, May 10, 2022 2:00-3:30pm Cost: $70 for LTA members, $100 for nonmembers Presenter: Kay Sohl Operating reserves ensure that your land trust can honor its commitment to steward land in perpetuity. Land trusts need operating reserves just as much as they need stewardship and legal defense reserves. They provide the essential cushion needed to cope with disasters and dashed expectations. But beyond ensuring your ability to continue operations, strong operating reserves can allow your land trust to act quickly to seize opportunities and meet the challenges of inflation and rapid change. Participants will gain practical strategies to:
Visit LTA’s website to register. | |
Job Openings in the Conservation Sector | |
Still tons of openings for anyone looking for employment at a land trust or related organization. Latest additions here or view the full list. Grants and Management Accountant – Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm Farmers’ Market Parking Coordinator – Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Development Coordinator – Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust Assistant to the President – Elliotsville Foundation, Inc. Municipal Policy Associate (Portland or Belfast, ME, or remote in ME) – Maine Farmland Trust Executive Director – York Land Trust Coordinator – Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation Stewardship and Facilities Intern – Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust Summer Restoration Steward – Kennebec Estuary Land Trust Education Intern: Caring for coastal waters – Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust Acadia Historic Trails Maintenance – American Conservation Experience Field Team Member (Trails) – Maine Conservation Corps Executive Director – Vinalhaven Land Trust | |
Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program | |
The Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP) will once again be accepting proposals in 2022 for projects that restore, enhance, or protect wetlands, streams, and other priority aquatic resources in Maine. The 2022 funding round is expected to open in late May 2022, with Letters of Intent due by the end of June, so now is the time to start thinking about project submissions for this year. MNRCP is especially seeking these types of projects:
The list below provides the amount of funding available in each region as of the time of this announcement. More funds are expected to be added in the coming weeks, so please continue to check the Funds Available report on the MNRCP website to see updated amounts.
MNRCP accepts proposals from public agencies, non-profit conservation organizations, tribes, and municipalities. The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent in June. Applicants whose proposed projects meet the program’s requirements will be invited to submit full proposals, which are due in September. For more information, please visit http://mnrcp.org. Feel free to forward this information to others who may be interested in this program. If you have questions about a specific project or the program in general, please contact Bryan Emerson at . |