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MLTN Infoline – January 5, 2022

January 5, 2022|

What We’re Working on for 2022

Happy New Year, all. We hope the holiday season provided some time for rest, reflection, and renewal. We’ve been making plans for 2022 and want to let you know about a couple of things that are coming right up.
  • We are in full conference planning mode! This year’s conference will be virtual once again, but we are compressing the timeline into four consecutive weeks in March. In addition to the virtual workshop offerings, we will be planning some smaller, in-person events later in the year. We’ll share details here in Infoline and on the MLTN website as they become available.
  • In a few weeks, we will be moving to a new platform for Infoline. What does that mean to you? If you receive Infoline now and want to keep receiving it, you don’t have to do a thing. We’ll let you know when the transition is happening. We anticipate a very smooth process but if you stop receiving these newsletters, please let us know by emailing  or giving us a call at (207) 607-4577. We’ll get you sorted out.
  • Qualified conservation appraisers are always in short supply. We will be surveying land trusts to get a better handle on the impact this is having on conservation gains, and consider ways we might help.
Lots more exiting stuff on the way in the coming months,
Whit, Jeff, and Donna

Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation Internships

Up to 10 positions available
Application Deadline: February 23, 2022
Are you, or is someone you know, interested in spending a summer learning about land conservation and practical skills involved in caring for land in Maine? Maine Coast Heritage Trust has created these entry level residential summer internships to provide an opportunity for ten Maine undergraduate, certificate program or trade school students to gain experience in land stewardship and conservation. Each student intern will be placed with a Maine land trust host, and will learn about land conservation and the practical skills involved in caring for conserved lands. The program begins on June 6th and ends on August 12th. Successful candidates will be self-motivated and willing and able to work independently or as part of a team.
 
Requirements:
  • Must be a student in Maine (or have a Maine connection) – undergraduate, certificate program, or trade school student applications accepted
  • Must be available June 6 to August 12
  • Must be self-motivated, willing and able to work independently or as part of a team, willing to learn new skills
  • Must have reliable transportation

Next Steps for Land Justice in the New England Conservation Community

Report out from Highstead’s recent RCP Network Gathering
Last November at the Regional Conservation Partnerships Network Gathering, New England conservation leaders and practitioners from all backgrounds came together to discuss and collaborate around centering justice and equity in their work. This article shares some themes, opportunities, and resources for those who weren’t in attendance. A big thank you to Highstead for providing this forum for discussion and exploration.

Land Trust Alliance Webinars

The Land Trust Alliance has two webinars coming up that warrant a reminder.
  • One of the most frequent questions we get here at the Land Trust Program is “What does a land trust need for insurance coverage?” On January 11th from 3-4pm, the Alliance is offering a FREE Insurance 101 webinar with a presenter from Alliant Insurance Services. If you can spare an hour, this is a great way to make sure you are up-to-date with your coverage.
  • We all know that getting outside and soaking up the beauty and tranquility of nature is more important than ever. But the reality is that, for a variety of reasons, there are barriers for some people to get outside and enjoy these benefits. Considering how to make trails more available to EVERYONE is a great way for land trusts to expand their reach and be more inclusive. Sign up for a new webinar from the Land Trust Alliance on January 19th from 2-3:30pm, entitled Trails for Everyone: Planning Inclusive Trails From The Ground Up. The cost is $70 for LTA members, or $100 for nonmembers. One fee allows access to your whole team.
And while we’re mentioning LTA webinars, now is the time to sign up for their 2022 Webinar All-Access Pass. Don’t let the $650 (for members) price tag fool you – this is a great deal! Once you purchase your pass, you’re done. No need to register for anything! You get access to a special landing page where you can join every webinar they offer with the click of a link. Learn more about the All-Access Pass.

Develop Your Story and Broadcast It: PR Strategies & Media Relations

Tuesday, January 25, 2022
2:00-3:15pm
Cost: $35 for MANP members, $55 for nonmembers*
Made possible thanks to a partnership between Kentucky Nonprofit Network and Maine Association of Nonprofits
How your organization positions itself to the outside world dramatically impacts your brand. Learn compelling PR strategies with a concentration on media relations. Understand how to develop stories that matter, polish your pitch to make it professional, and increase your odds of coverage. You’ll also hear how to shape content that various media partners actually need, as well as tips on when and how to connect by phone, email, and social media. 
 
Don’t miss this engaging webinar, grounded in planning, preparation, and practice. You’ll leave with strategies for coverage your nonprofit needs and deserves. Examples from different sized organizations in different markets assures content is meaningful to all! Visit MANP’s website for details and to register.
 
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check on your MLTN member status.

US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program: Voluntary Habitat Restoration Matters

The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides technical, funding, and construction assistance to private landowners and federally recognized tribes to restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat on their property. All Partners projects are voluntary and custom‐designed to meet landowners’ needs. Participating landowners retain all property rights and are not required to allow public access.
 
With approximately 95% of land in Maine privately owned, Maine landowners are in a unique position to make major impacts on wildlife habitat restoration and conservation. In Maine, six Partners focus areas have been identified to target specific habitats or species. If your property or project falls outside of these focus areas, you may still be able to receive assistance. Contact Maine Field Office biologist Hannah Mullally for more information and to discuss project opportunities by email (click on her name above) or call (207) 405‐4349.

Land for Maine’s Future Program is Hiring!

The Land for Maine’s Future Program is excited to announce that they are hiring two new positions to join their team in Augusta! Successful candidates will provide critical support in the allocation of $40 million in new conservation funding through a competitive grant process. The Land for Maine’s Future Program has assisted in the completion of land conservation projects in all of Maine’s 16 counties. Projects include mountain summits, access to rivers, lakes, and ponds, coastal islands, beaches, wetlands, working forests, farmlands and working waterfront properties.
 
Job description and application information for the Paralegal Assistant position and the Senior Planner position are available on the State of Maine Career Opportunities website maintained by the Bureau of Human Resources or call (207) 624-7761 for more information. Applications are due January 31, 2022.

Jobs in the Conservation Sector

Many new open positions added for 2022. Click here for full list.
Northern New England Land Steward – Northeast Wilderness Trust
Kennebec Land Trust Summer Internship – Kennebec Land Trust
Grants Officer – Maine Farmland Trust
Executive Assistant – Maine Farmland Trust
Development Officer – Maine Farmland Trust
Richard G Rockefeller Internships – Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Stewardship Field Assistant (2 positions) – The Nature Conservancy
Northern Maine Stewardship Intern – The Nature Conservancy
Deputy Director – Western Foothills Land Trust
James W. Dow Summer Intern – Blue Hill Heritage Trust
Recreation Technician (2 positions) – Friends of Acadia

Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative Grant Program

Applications Due: March 1, 2022
Want to accelerate and amplify land stewardship and bird conservation on your land trust lands? The Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative grant program RFP is open and will award around $230,000 to as many as 14 projects. Funds will be dispersed quickly, at the end of May/June. To learn more and apply for a grant, visit the Request for Proposals page.
 
Capacity and Partnership Projects – up to 6 grants of $5,000 each 
Management and Restoration Projects – 8 grants of $25,000 each 
 
Questions can be directed to: Sara Barker, Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative Program Leader, .
 
The Maine Land Trust Network seeks to promote voluntary land conservation by building the quality and effectiveness of land trusts and the Maine conservation community through communication, coordination and education. The Network is supported and coordinated by 
Maine Coast Heritage Trust and its Land Trust Program.