MLTN Infoline – January 20, 2022

January 20, 2022|Infoline

Welcome to the New Infoline

Hello! We are excited to be bringing you this Infoline newsletter via our new email platform. It may look a little different but everything else is exactly the same, and it never hurts to freshen things up a bit. Our new platform will let us integrate the newsletters into our website seamlessly, saving time and hassles. But the bottom line is that it needs to work well for YOU, so let us know if you have any feedback!

Whit, Jeff, and Donna

Maine Land Conservation Conference Registration Opening Soon

The Conference will be virtual again in 2022. We learned valuable lessons last year and are planning this year’s event with those opportunities for improvement in mind.

To keep the momentum, we will hold workshops during four consecutive weeks in March.
Although we will still use Zoom Webinar for some sessions, we’ll also use Zoom Meeting, to take advantage of interactive features like breakout rooms.
And because everyone is very anxious to gather in person again as soon as it is safe to do so, we hope to schedule smaller in-person gatherings later in the spring.

Registration for the Conference will open on February 1st. The cost will remain $25 for admittance to all workshops, and all will be recorded in case you can’t attend them live. That said, we hope you’ll attend as many of the workshops live as you can. This is our chance to be together, even if it is over Zoom. Each of you brings something special when you make a commitment to be present with us. Visit MLTN.org to see what we’re planning.

A New MNAP Service for Conservation Projects

The Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP), within the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, has long served as a significant source of information on the State’s important natural features. Working with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, MNAP is pleased to announce a new pre-acquisition review service for conservation projects.

Land Trusts, municipalities, and State and Federal Agencies may request this free service. This review will best serve projects that are currently being considered for conservation, have landowner engagement, and are scoping or drafting funding proposals for any public funding source such as Land for Maine’s Future Fund or the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program. You will receive a checklist and map that identifies documented rare plant and animal species, rare and exemplary natural communities, significant wildlife habitats, climate resiliency modeling, marsh migration opportunities, and/or forest condition information.

For more information visit: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mnap/ and click on the Pre-acquisition Review link. Interested applicants may download a one-page form to request review, and submit requests to Lisa St.Hilaire at .

Call to Action! Maine Landowner Input Requested for Emerald Ash Borer survey

You are invited to participate in a research study entitled Maine’s Native Ash Trees and the Emerald Ash Borer – Landowner Survey. This anonymous survey is being conducted by Dr. John Daigle and graduate students Tyler Everett and Emily Francis in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine. The purpose of this study is to understand landowners’ perceptions of emerald ash borer and the management approaches that can be used to address this forest health issue.

You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the survey. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. When ready to take the survey, click here.

John Daigle, Tyler Everett, and Emily Francis thank you in advance for your time. If you have any questions, please contact or .

Rethinking Your Organizational Model to Ensure Agility + Resilience

February 2nd and 9th, 2022

1:00-2:30pm

$149 for MANP Members*; $199 for Nonmembers

Discounts for teams and some scholarships available

Your organizational model is your foundation for organizational success and fully understanding it enables agility and resilience. As nonprofits in this current world, our priorities are constantly shifting to meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve. This two-part series that will empower nonprofit boards and staff to explore the three fundamentals that form their current model: organizational impact, revenue strategy, and the people needed to make it all happen. Visit MANP’s website for more infoand to register.

*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check on your MLTN membership status.

Considering Climate, Equity, Mission and More When Selecting Conservation Projects

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022

2:00-3:30pm

$70 for LTA Members, $100 for Nonmembers

When is the last time you looked at the criteria you use to select your organization’s prospective conservation projects? If it’s been a few years, it may be time to revisit your conservation priorities to incorporate equity and climate. Join conservation experts Reggie Hall, The Conservation Fund, and Lena Pollastro, Land Trust of Napa County, both accredited, as they explore how to incorporate climate, mission and equity values when creating (or revising) project selection criteria for current and new projects.

This webinar includes live discussion in breakout rooms where participants fill the role of lands committee members tasked with providing guidance for a “green light” or hard “no” on complex acquisition projects. This interactive webinar will sharpen your focus on key parts of the acquisition process that may have significant implications on the permanence of your conservation work and your land trust’s relations with its community.

Visit LTA’s website for more info and to register.

Aging Gracefully: How to Steward Easements with Dated Language

Tuesday, February 8th, 2022

2:00-3:30pm

$70 for LTA Members, $100 for Nonmembers

One of the biggest challenges facing land trusts today is stewarding easements with antiquated language. With properties transferring to successor landowners with increasing frequency and stewardship staff turning over in greater numbers, this an all-too common issue facing land trusts. Presenters will lay out common problems and sensible solutions. Filled with real life examples, this webinar is a must-attend for stewardship staff and board alike.

Specific topics that will be included:

typical problems with antiquated language;
strategies to deal with older easements, including: building strong landowner relationships, when discretionary consent/approvals are appropriate, amendment and restatement of the easement;
when to draw the line and go down the litigation path.

Visit LTA’s website for more info and to register.

One Tree Planted

One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) focused on global reforestation with projects across the US, Canada, and the globe. They are currently looking for new partnerships in Maine and across New England and would love to hear more about your upcoming or ongoing efforts to protect and rewild land. They are also looking to offer funding for tree planting/restoration projects. If you are interested in discussing opportunities for funding, please reach out to Stephanie Clement for more information or to set up a call.

Jobs in the Conservation Sector

So many new postings on the job page this month! Newest additions listed here or view the full list by clicking here.

So Maine Community Outreach Coordinator – Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Stone Barn Farm Community Outreach Coordinator – Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Land Trust Forester – Maine Woodland Owners

Marketing and Events Specialist – Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

Operations & Development Assistant – Frenchman Bay Conservancy

Membership, Communications, & Development Assistant – Downeast Salmon Federation

President & CEO – Friends of Acadia

Land Steward, 2 vacancies – Maine Farmland Trust

Office and Project Coordinator – Appalachian Mountain Club

Stewardship Manager – Western Foothills Land Trust

Field Ecology Intern – Maine Natural Areas Program

Project Manager – Association of State Wetland Managers

900HR Environmental Steward – Maine Conservation Corps