MLTN Infoline – December 4, 2024
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Save the Date for MCHT’s 2025 Maine Land Conservation Conference
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It’s confirmed! Next spring’s Maine Land Conservation Conference will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 29 & 30, at the Augusta Civic Center. Please save the date!! We are feeling excited about this new venue, as it will give us room to grow and provide opportunities to enhance the Land Fair exhibitor experience. We also hope the convenient, central location and mid-week schedule will make it easier for more people to attend. In case you missed it last month, we are currently accepting conference workshop proposals. This year the main event on Wednesday will focus on a positive vision for the future, and how we can support climate action in Maine. The proposal due date is this Friday, December 6th. If you’re interested in making a submission but can’t make that deadline, please contact us! We will make every effort to accommodate you.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we announce more Conference details and opportunities,
Angela, Jeff, Donna, and Katia
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Land for Maine’s Future Program Calls for New Conservation and Recreation Proposals
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January 17, 2025 – Inquiry Forms are due by 5:00pm
March 21, 2025 – Final Proposals are due by 5:00pm
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Land for Maine’s Future Program (LMF) announced its next call for Conservation and Recreation proposals. The latest requests are for Projects of Statewide Significance and Community Conservation Projects.
Projects of Statewide Significance include lands with one or more resources that are rare and exceptional in Maine based on a published report, database, or credible testimony, or the recreational activity associated with the parcel will frequently and routinely attract users.
Community Conservation Projects are projects of local or regional significance that promote public outdoor recreational access to land and waters, including for underserved populations; public health; connection between conserved lands and population centers; local or regional agriculture; conservation of cultural and historical resources on undeveloped lands; protection of lakes, rivers or streams; conservation of fish or wildlife habitat; protection of public drinking water supplies; conservation of community forests; local economic development; opportunities for environmental learning; and nonmotorized transportation options.
A copy of the LMF Workbook, which contains all the information necessary to apply for LMF funds, is now available on the LMF web page.
Please note that LMF’s Public Access to Maine’s Waters Fund is open for applications at any time, and the electronic submission portal is coming soon!
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Maine Climate Council Releases Updated 2024 Action Plan
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The Maine Climate Council has released the state’s updated four-year action plan, Maine Won’t Wait. By law, the Maine Climate Council — an assembly of scientists, industry leaders, bipartisan local and state officials, and engaged citizens — is required to update the Climate Action Plan every four years. This latest update builds on Maine’s progress and recommends commonsense strategies to reduce emissions, enhance resilience, and grow the economy over the next four years. The updated plan calls for making Maine homes and businesses more energy efficient through weatherization and heat pump installation, for transitioning to renewable energy sources to reduce Maine’s reliance on expensive and environmentally harmful fossil fuels, and for promoting electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions within Maine’s transportation sector. It advances many of the goals of the 2020 report, and includes new goals for managing the climate impacts of waste, supporting land use planning to advance climate goals, and building more energy-efficient housing, as well as additional strategies to prepare communities, people, and infrastructure for increasing weather events like flooding and sea level rise.
The Maine Climate Council will continue to meet quarterly in 2025 to monitor progress implementing the updated plan.
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Staying Accredited: A Renewal of Accreditation Primer, East
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Monday, January 13, 2025 via Zoom 2:00-3:30pm
Cost: FREE So, your land trust is accredited! Now what? Five years goes by really fast! Will you be ready for renewal of your land trust accreditation? Do you know what changes were made to the requirements in the past five years? Have you accomplished your Expectations for Improvement? Do you have a checklist of what to do each year to make this process flow smoothly?
Join other land trusts from across the Eastern, Central and Southern United States for a complimentary session with consultant Sarah Naperala. After guiding her land trust through applying for both first time and renewal of accreditation, Sarah now helps others succeed in this rewarding work. She’ll offer advice for you on systems to put in place to ensure you will be prepared when the time comes and make your organization hum in the meanwhile.
This primer complements but is not included in our Accreditation Renewal Support Group‘s activities. If you’re preparing a renewal application in 2025 or 2026, check out our support group.
Register for this free webinar at LTA’s website.
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The Essentials of Nonprofit Audits: What You Need to Know
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Tuesday, January 14, 2025 via Zoom 10:00-11:30am
Cost: $40
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Common Good Vermont
Are audits causing anxiety among your nonprofit team? You’re not alone! Many nonprofit managers share the fear of audits, but they can actually play a crucial role in your financial health. Join this informative webinar, where we demystify the auditing process and show you how to embrace it as an integral part of your financial strategy.
In this session, you will learn about the various types of audits your organization may encounter and how to prepare for them effectively. We’ll cover actionable steps to incorporate into your fiscal policies that will keep you “audit ready” year-round. Additionally, we’ll emphasize the importance of fostering strong relationships with your auditors, ensuring that they become valuable partners in your mission.
Don’t let fear hold you back—empower your non-profit with the knowledge and tools to navigate audits confidently. Join us and take the first step towards making audits a seamless part of your operations!
Visit MANP’s website for details and link to register at partner website.
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Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Information Webinar with The Nature Conservancy
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Wednesday, January 15, 2025 via Zoom 12:00-1:30pm
Cost: FREE
The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program provides grants of up to $100,000 for fee and easement acquisition projects throughout the Appalachians. Eligible states include Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. More information below.
In support of this program, an informational webinar will be offered where you can learn more and ask questions. The webinar is free but pre-registration is required.
Click here to register for the webinar.
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Jobs in the Conservation Sector
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Here are a few fun jobs to sink your teeth into! View the full list of open positions at mltn.org. Field Team Member – Maine Conservation Corps
Assistant Team Leader – Maine Conservation Corps
Field Team Leader/Roving Leader – Maine Conservation Corps
Conservation Administrative Assistant – Maine Audubon
Eastern Maine Land Protection Associate – Maine Coast Heritage Trust
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Trails Capacity Program
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Applications Due: January 15, 2025 by 11:59 PM Pacific Time The Trails Capacity Program from American Trails funds projects across the nation that strategically improve the abilities and capacity of the trails community as a whole.
America’s trails suffer from a trail maintenance backlog which is exacerbated by increased use, extreme weather and a diminishing pool of skilled trail professionals and volunteers. This grant program targets available funding toward supporting small local trail projects that engage the community and connect trail assets to a broader spectrum of users. They measure their success in terms of visible, on-the-ground maintenance of trails and increased capacity of organizations and trail stewards to do the job effectively.
The goals of this program are to uphold the American Trails mission, vision, core values, guiding principles, and the following:
Trails Capacity Program grants range from $5,000 minimum to a maximum of $10,000 for the purposes described above.
View all the details and learn how to apply on the American Trails website.
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Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program
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Applications Due: February 7, 2025 The Nature Conservancy is pleased to announce that that the application window is now open for the FY25 Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program (RCAGP). The program provides funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations, municipalities, federally recognized Tribes, and other partners to engage in conservation efforts that result in the permanent protection of resilient and connected lands as well as community benefits.
For the FY25 grant cycle, the RCAGP offers grants of up to $100,000 to support projects within the Appalachians landscape, including all or portions of 18 states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.
The RCAGP supports fee and easement land acquisition projects that fall within the Resilient and Connected Network (RCN), a scientifically informed network of climate resilient sites across the U.S. identified and mapped by The Nature Conservancy. Conservation of the RCN will help sustain biodiversity, protect drinking water sources, secure carbon stocks, and enhance the recreational and economic resources people depend on.
TNC will host an informational webinar on January 15 from 12:00-1:30pm ET. Register here.
For more information, read the FAQs and visit The Nature Conservancy‘s website. While not required, it is strongly suggested that you contact your state representative to
discuss your project, how it fits with programmatic priorities, and answer any relevant questions. A list of state representatives can be found towards the end of the Program Description.
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John Sage Foundation
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Proposals Due: April 30, 2025 (proposals are welcome any time before then) The John Sage Foundation awards grants to Maine-based organizations working to promote and enhance a harmonious relationship between people and the natural environment. Grant awards are typically in the range of a few thousand dollars, to $25,000, with higher amounts considered for particularly critical projects.
The John Sage Foundation has been operating since 1992 and has awarded over a million dollars to a variety of organizations in Maine. The foundation’s holdings have recently increased and it is seeking proposals from organizations doing projects that are timely and relevant, including the issues of climate change, land and water conservation, water quality, applied science and research, and environmental education.
Questions and inquiries can be sent to Erin Lloyd, Program Manager.
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