MLTN Infoline – February 2, 2023
2023 Virtual Maine Land Conservation Conference Registration is Now Open | |
The virtual Maine Land Conservation Conference is ready to take your registration now! $25 gets you into all eight webinars on far ranging topics from ecological beaver management to land transactions to IT security. The webinars start March 9th and continue on weekday mornings through March 30th; all will be recorded in case you can’t attend the session live. Visit our website for a Schedule at a Glance, Presenter Bios, and more. This year’s Conference will also include an in-person gathering on May 3rd at the Samoset. Registration for that event will be handled separately and will be announced here in Infoline and on our website when it’s ready. For now, please save the date! We’re excited about the hybrid format this year and we hope you’ll participate in both events. See you online and at the Samoset soon! Whit, Jeff, and Donna | |
Call for Espy Land Heritage Award Nominations | |
Nomination Deadline: March 3, 2023 Each year, Maine Coast Heritage Trust presents the Espy Land Heritage Award to an individual, organization, agency or coalition for exemplary conservation efforts in Maine. The award recognizes those who are making outstanding contributions to land conservation in Maine while inspiring others. In 2008 the award was renamed and endowed in honor of Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s long-time President, Jay Espy. In doing so MCHT’s Board sought to celebrate Jay’s vision and leadership for land conservation and his spirit of collaboration. Now, in honor of Jay Espy and with thanks to generous donors from Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s Board and Council, we are pleased to issue a call for nominations for the 2023 Espy Land Heritage Award. The recipient of the award will be recognized at the in-person Maine Land Conservation Conference on May 3rd and will be entitled to direct $5,000.00 to the non-profit organization of their choosing. Click here for selection considerations and nomination process and eligibility. | |
Trail Bill Hearing in Early February, Letter Sign-On Opportunity | |
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources will be holding a public hearing Wednesday, February 8 to receive testimony on LD 216 An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Storm Water Management to Provide an Exemption for Trails for Hiking and Other Similar Activities. Sponsored by Representative Arthur Bell (Yarmouth), this bill seeks to apply the same exemption under the state’s storm water management law to hiking and walking trails as the one that currently applies to bike trails, motorized recreation trails, and forest roads. Maine Coast Heritage Trust will be submitting testimony in support of the bill. And, at the request of a local land trust, we are inviting MLTN members to sign onto our testimony. If you want more information about the bill or would like to add your land trust to MCHT’s testimony, please contact MCHT’s Public Policy Manager Jeff Romano by Tuesday, February 7. | |
Legal Considerations of Paying Board Directors to Achieve DEI Goals | |
As land trusts seek to find ways of furthering DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) goals, some are considering how their Board practices might have the unintended effect of limiting who serves. Requirements relating to financial support and uncompensated service could be making it difficult or impossible for some Mainers who might otherwise be willing to serve to take on Board service. But, what are the rules around offering compensation? Portland-based attorney Rob Levin, who specializes in conservation and nonprofit law, took on that question in a recent Maine Nonprofit Law E-Bulletin. While there is no right or simple answer, Rob sheds light on the considerations each nonprofit should keep in mind. If you’re not subscribed to Rob’s Maine Land Conservation Law E-Bulletin and Maine Nonprofit Law E-Bulletin, you can sign up at his website. There is no charge and they are an excellent resource you’ll come to count on. | |
Worms, Bugs & Slugs – What’s the Next Invasive Species to Find Maine? | |
MLTN Lunch & Learn Zoom meeting Thursday, February 9, 2023 12:00-1:00pm Cost: FREE, registration required Gary Fish, State Horticulturalist with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, will feature a few of the most recent invasive species that have come to Maine and a few we hope to keep away for as long as possible. Gary will also share an update on the survey they recently did to help support a two year Senior Planner project position in the new DACF biennial budget proposal. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. | |
Making the Most of the New Land Trust Alliance Resource Center | |
Land Trust Alliance webinar, same course, two date options Tuesday, February 7 and Thursday, February 9, 2023 2:00-3:30pm Cost: FREE Land Trust Alliance’s newly redesigned Resource Center offers a wealth of trainings and resources to help you in your land conservation work. Not sure where to start? Take a free guided tour to learn more about its many new features and resources designed to make your work easier. During this webinar, participants will learn how to:
Register for Tuesday, February 7th here. Register for Thursday, February 9th here. If you haven’t created an account on the new Land Trust Alliance website, you will need to do so to register for this webinar. To create a new account, click Log In in the upper right corner and then click Create your account now. | |
Browntail Moth Removal Workshop | |
Saturday, February 18, 2023 Rain/Snow date – Saturday February 25th 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM 527 Center Minot Hill Road, Minot Cost: FREE Those itchy Brown Tail Moth caterpillars are at the forefront of everyone’s minds come Spring, but you can kill them in the winter before they become a nuisance. Join this hands-on workshop organized by the Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District to learn how to remove Brown Tail Moth nests. It will include a brief overview of how to identify this invasive species during each of its life cycles, and why it is important to remove them. Then participants will have the chance to remove the nests of the chosen tree. Take this newfound knowledge to your own backyards and help work on removal all across the state! This is an outdoor event. Please dress in warm layers appropriate for the weather that day. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pruning equipment and work gloves. Pole saws, hand saws, and loppers will be available for participants to try as well. Registration is required. Register by clicking here. | |
Determining Stewardship and Defense Costs for Land Trusts | |
Land Trust Alliance webinar Thursday, February 23, 2023 2:00-3:30pm Cost: $70 for LTA members, $100 for non-members We all know that costs associated with long-term stewardship are inherently difficult to predict and often underestimated. In 2016, The Nature Conservancy convened national experts to develop a calculator tool to estimate stewardship costs and the amount that should be set aside to provide a secure source of future funding. At the same time, the Land Trust Alliance developed a legal defense reserves calculator to help land trusts determine the costs to defend their conserved lands. After almost seven years, much has been learned. The accredited Central Indiana Land Trust uses these tools to address its particular needs as a smaller staffed land trust and they are ready to share. Visit LTA’s website to register. | |
Board Roles & Responsibilities | |
Friday, March 3, 2023 11:30am-1:00pm Cost: $45 for MANP members*, $65 for non-members Discounts for teams! $25 off each additional registration from the same organization Scholarships available! Prior to registering, email your scholarship request to and be sure to include your name and organization. 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:
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 six 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 to register. *Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check your MLTN membership status. | |
Did You Know? Land Trusts Work for Maine Report | |
Land trusts provide a private sector answer that meets many public needs. That’s a message that land trusts should be sharing with their members, the general public, and especially when talking with municipal and state officials. The Land Trust Program has put together a helpful publication based on information gathered in our regular Land Trust Census and from other sources. It is available as a PDF download, or if you’d like paper copies, we are happy to mail them out to you. Contact Donna and provide your mailing address and number of copies you’d like. | |
Jobs in the Conservation Sector | |
We have too many new job postings to list every one here but check out highlights below and view the full list on our jobs page. Invasive Plant Biology Intern – Maine Natural Areas Program Field Ecology Intern – Maine Natural Areas Program Maine Regional Manager – Appalachian Trail Conservancy 900-HR Environmental Stewards (multiple positions statewide) – Maine Conservation Corps Washington County Regional Stewardship Manager – Maine Coast Heritage Trust Stewardship Field Assistant (3 positions) – The Nature Conservancy, Maine Northern Maine Stewardship Field Assistant – The Nature Conservancy, Maine Richard G Rockefeller Conservation Interns (11 positions) – Maine Coast Heritage Trust on behalf of host organizations Conservation GIS Associate – Forest Society of Maine Special Projects Cultural Coordinator – Maine Coast Heritage Trust Island Caretaker – Maine Island Trail Association Grounds and Facilities Manager – Maine Audubon Fundraising Coordinator – Laudholm Trust | |
Call for LMF Working Lands Proposals | |
The Land for Maine’s Future Board and staff are pleased to announce the 2023 call for Farmland and Working Forest proposals. With $40 million in new funding for the conservation of working forests, farms, and commercial waterfronts, public access to our woods and waters and the protection and management of wildlife, including deer wintering habitat, they are now soliciting proposals. Working Forest Proposals May 19, 2023 – Inquiry Forms due no later than 5:00 PM August 4, 2023 – Final Proposals due no later than 5:00 PM Working Farmland Proposals May 19, 2023 – Inquiry Forms due no later than 5:00 PM August 4, 2023 – Final Proposals due no later than 5:00 PM More information at the Land for Maine’s Future website. | |