MLTN Infoline – April 5, 2023
Land for Maine’s Future Program Seeks Director | |
The Land for Maine’s Future Program (LMF) at the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry has an opening for the position of Director. LMF is the State of Maine’s primary funding vehicle for conserving land for its natural and recreational value and a key source of funding for Maine land trusts, so it’s critical that the new Director is someone with an understanding of Maine’s land trusts, their operations, and what’s needed to keep LMF funds flowing efficiently. Are you that person? The LMF Director position evaluates existing policies, procedures, and guidelines and recommends improvements for Board approval. Importantly, it also provides leadership in implementing the Protection Programs for Conservation and Recreation Land, Working Waterfront Access, and Working Forest and Working Farmland Access. Read the full description here. We’re invested in a strong partnership between LMF and Maine’s land trusts! Whit, Jeff, and Donna | |
Funding for Wetlands | |
Each of the last 5 years, Maine has submitted two North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grants with the entire State as a focus area. The grants in total have ranged from $1M to $2M, and so far Maine has been 100% successful in receiving funds. In recent rounds, we have asked for and received around $2M, which has funded the acquisition of 4-6 projects. A different land trust or State agency has taken the lead on each grant as the applicant. On April 11th, the Wetlands Coalition will meet to discuss the projects for the next round and develop a project slate. We now have an easy system of doing initial assessments of those projects. Projects must close after the application is submitted in early July (you can be under P&S before submission). Funds will not be available until late 2023 or early to mid-2024, so you need to be able to upfront the acquisition costs or have a patient land owner who will enter into a longer Option to Purchase. We contract with an experienced grant writer, so the amount of work required on your part to submit the grant is relatively small. You may be asked to pay for a portion of the grant writers time depending on the applicant and funding at the time. Receiving the money, like many grant programs, requires extra due diligence on your part including a Yellow Book appraisal. If you have a project that you think might qualify, read the full post here for all the details, then submit a shapefile and this form, with as much of it filled out as you can, to Marty Anderson as soon as possible. If you have questions contact Betsy Ham at (207) 607-4589 or Bob DeForrest at (207) 801-4053. | |
Requirements Manual: New Edition Out, Info Session on May 9 | |
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission verifies a land trust’s compliance with Land Trust Standards and Practices by evaluating a sample of the elements within those Standards, the indicator elements. The Requirements Manual provides land trusts greater specificity about how indicator elements are verified through the requirements and enables commissioners to make decisions that are fair and consistent. The requirements are reviewed annually and the Commission works closely with the Land Trust Alliance and the land trust community on each edition. The 2023 edition of the Requirements Manual is out now, as is the Summary of Changes (a companion to the full Manual that provides more in-depth information on the changes). Click here to download. The Commission will be holding an information session on May 9 at 2:00pm to review the updates and changes to the Requirements Manual. It is free to attend and open to all but registration required. Register here. | |
Climate Education Resources from The Climate Initiative | |
Learning Labs are an experiential, community-based program with the primary goal of providing resources and content for educators to make climate education accessible and to engage both teachers and their students. Here is an introductory video about Learning Labs, and youth and educator testimony. Following the link above, you’ll be able to see some of the amazing feedback we’ve received from educators and students alike on these programs. Learning Labs are free-to-use, and include six lessons which culminate in student-led action projects. The resource you receive will contain teacher modules, student activities, and helpful guides for the entire process. Topics for Learning Labs include: Renewable Energy, Invasive Species, Sea Level Rise, Floods & Droughts, Wildfires, Climate Impacts & Solutions with En-ROADS, Climate Justice & Equity, and Agriculture & Climate Change. We are specifically searching for community partners and environmental educators who are interested in partnering with teachers to co-teach these materials in traditional or non-traditional classrooms. Anyone interested should feel free to contact , or sign up for our free teacher module and access to the Learning Labs at this link. | |
Shake Up Your Fundraising: Simple Steps to Expand Support | |
| Thursday, April 20, 2023 2:00 – 3:30pmCost: $70 for LTA members, $100 for non-members Your land trust is committed to being welcoming and inclusive. You’ve made strides in your project selection, partnerships and programs. But is your fundraising assisting in the effort or accidentally pushing people away? Join conservation and fundraising expert Judy Anderson, Community Consultants, as she provides tips and trends on how to build strong and enduring support by making people feel welcome, included and part of the change. We will cover:
Visit LTA’s website to register. | |
Federal Tax Issues: The Latest and Greatest for 2023 (with Rob Levin) | |
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 2:00 – 3:30pm Cost: $70 for LTA members, $100 for non-members As usual, there is a lot going on at the tax and appellate courts and at the IRS that land trusts need to know about. Attorneys Jessica Jay and Rob Levin will bring everyone up to speed on the latest developments in case law and actions to curtail conservation easement syndicated deals. They will cover:
Content provided in this webinar is provided with the understanding that the presenters are not providing legal counsel. If legal advice is needed, the services of competent, local attorneys should be sought. Visit LTA’s website to register. | |
Free Webinar on USDA Grant Pilot, Climate-Smart Forestry | |
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 1:00–2:30pm Come learn about the role of climate-smart forestry in mitigating climate change and protecting ecosystem health and biodiversity! Join New England Forestry Foundation and their USDA grant partners for a free webinar and panel discussion detailing plans for a $30 million, five-year Climate-Smart Commodities pilot program. Over the next five years, New England Forestry Foundation will anchor a regional incentive program to build New England’s climate-smart, forest-based economy while protecting ecosystem health and biodiversity. The transformational scale of this pilot project is made possible by a $30 million investment awarded by the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. Register in advance by clicking here. | |
Endowments and Your Nonprofit: A Focus on the Fundamentals | |
Tuesday, May 2, 2023 10:30am – 12:00pm Cost: $45 MANP Members, $65 Nonmembers This webinar is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Is your organization considering establishing an endowment fund? Perhaps you have already established a fund and are building your knowledge around growing it. There are many ways to give and grow an endowment and it is important to recognize that different strategies exist. This webinar will bring focus to what endowment funds can provide an organization. Topics covered in this workshop:
Come and learn how your nonprofit may benefit from a flexible endowment solution as well as the variety of giving options available to supporters of the fund. Visit MANP’s website for more information and to register. | |
Jobs in the Conservation Sector | |
It’s officially spring and conservation organizations are preparing for the busy season ahead! Check out new job postings below or view the full list here. Land Steward – Maine Farmland Trust Coastal Watershed Land Conservation Manager – Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire Executive Director – Downeast Lakes Land Trust Seasonal Trail Crew – Portland Trails Washington County Assistant Steward (Seasonal Full Time) – Maine Coast Heritage Trust Trail Crew Leader – Maine Appalachian Trail Club Erosion Control Project Coordinator – 7 Lakes Alliance Summer Intern ( 2 positions) – Greater Lovell Land Trust Assistant Team Leader – Maine Conservation Corps Field Team Member – Maine Conservation Corps Field Team Member (Fall) – Maine Conservation Corps | |
National Coastal Resilience Fund | |
Pre-Proposals Due: Wednesday, April 12, 2023 by 11:59pm The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is pleased to announce the 2023 National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) Request for Proposals. NFWF will make investments in planning, design, and implementation of natural and nature-based solutions. The goal is to enhance protections for coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural coastal hazards and to improve habitats for fish and wildlife. NFWF will award approximately $140 million in grants to create and restore natural systems to increase protection for communities from current and future coastal hazards and improve habitats for fish and wildlife species. All projects under this program must demonstrate dual benefits to both coastal communities and habitats. The NCRF supports projects that will result in the creation and/or restoration of natural systems to increase the resilience of communities from coastal hazards and improve habitats for fish and wildlife species. Full RFP available at NFWF’s website. | |
Forest Legacy Program | |
Applicants must contact the Special Assistant to the Commissioner by May 1, 2023. Applications due in June. The Bureau of Parks and Lands is currently accepting applications to the Maine Forest Legacy Program. The Forest Legacy Program is a conservation program administered by the U.S. Forest Service in partnership with state agencies to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases. It operates on a competitive basis nationwide and aims to protect an array of traditional uses, forest economies and public values by preventing the conversion of Maine’s forest to non-forest uses. 1994, Maine’s Forest Legacy Program has received more than $79 million through the program, and has permanently protected over 759,000 acres, with iconic landscapes that include Tumbledown Mountain, Nicatous Lake, and Pierce Pond, to name just a few. For more information about Maine’s program and the grant application materials read the Call for Projects Letter and Application Instructions (PDF 244KB). Interested applicants should contact Jo D. Saffeir by May 1st to discuss the proposed project and to receive application details. Full proposals will be required to compete for FY 2025 funding. For additional information click here. | |