MLTN Infoline – July 20, 2023

July 20, 2023|Infoline

Maine Legislature Set to Adjourn

The Maine Legislature is scheduled to meet next Tuesday, July 25 for what is expected to be their final workday of 2023. We will be pulling together a more comprehensive summary of this year’s legislative session soon, but here is a brief update on some of the issues decided in recent weeks that we reported on back in May:

LD 1969: This bill to create the Land for Maine’s Future Trust Fund was signed into law by the Governor in late June. Among other things, it will ensure that LMF will be able to retain all investment income. A companion bill, LD 1285, was not enacted. LD 1285 sought new funds for the program to extend the $40 million appropriation made in 2021 by $20 million. We will be working with partners to pursue this objective in 2024.
LD 1881: This proposal seeks to address impacts from renewable energy development on farmlands and wildlife habitat. One section will improve Maine’s Site Development Law to allow renewable energy developers to mitigate impacts to wildlife habitat by paying a compensation fee to the LMF Trust Fund rather than acquiring the land themselves. It will be taken up by the State Senate next week, after receiving unanimous support from the Appropriations Committee.
Sales Tax Exemption: MCHT worked with the Maine Association of Nonprofits on a couple bills that would have extended sales tax exemption to land trusts. Neither was enacted, but the Mills Administration will be studying the issue this fall and reporting their findings to the Taxation Committee in January. They are specifically looking at the merits of having the sales tax exemption apply to all nonprofits.
Trails Bond: MCHT and many land trusts joined a coalition to support a $30 million bond proposal that would finance recreational trail investments throughout the state. The Appropriations Committee decided to not support any bonds in 2023; they will be carrying all proposals over to next year.

If you have any questions on these or other state legislative issues, please contact MCHT’s Public Policy Manager Jeff Romano.

We’ll keep you posted on these issues and more,

Angela, Jeff, and Donna

Maine Trails Coalition Survey

Response requested by Friday, July 28th

The Maine Trails Coalition is embarking on a strategic planning process. The coalition began after statewide meetings in 2018 and 2019 and they are now at a critical moment: they are embarking upon a strategic planning process. They believe it is crucial to gather feedback from individuals who have experienced or have an interest in the Maine Trails Coalition (MTC). Your unique perspective and insights will help shape the future direction of the organization.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and your responses will remain anonymous and confidential. They understand that your time is valuable, and have designed the survey to be concise while still capturing essential information. As a token of their appreciation for your time and effort, they will enter you into a drawing for a gift card.

Click here to take the survey.

Structural Planning: Structure is Strategy!

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

2:30-4:00pm via Zoom

Cost: $25 for MANP members*, $50 for non-members

This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance

This fun, fast-paced, session is designed to raise our awareness and knowledge of our organizational structures, as well as engage participants in reimagining the structures that best serve the purposes of their organizations.

Oftentimes the word “structure” itself conveys a sense of permanence or rigidity. Structures can be passed on from one generation of board and staff leaders to the next. While organizations routinely engage in strategic planning, we rarely hear about the need for structural planning.

This session is intended for leaders of emerging and established organizations who wish to explore how the myriad structures within their organizations impact its leadership in terms of governance, administration, and direct service or product delivery.

Visit MANP’s website to register.

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

Creative Methods for Fundraising & Sustained Donor Engagement

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

10:00-11:30am via Zoom

Cost: $15 for MANP members*, $25 for non-members

This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Nonprofit New York

This workshop will share creative, enduring and diverse approaches for non-profit fundraising. It will first focus on organizational storytelling–how can you tell the story of your organization, its mission and impact in a way that resonates with donors? Then, participants will review effective fundraising (and communications) tactics for organizations with and without significant dedicated resources or development staff.

This training will be highly interactive. Participants will collaborate on individual and small group reflection related to organizational storytelling and fundraising communication approaches. Together, we will review and map out creative tactics for organizations with varying levels of development resources.

Key Takeaways:

Learn best practices in organizational storytelling that resonates with donors
Learn creative and enduring tactics on facilitating sustained engagement with existing donors and reaching new donors
Learn fundraising approaches that are in-person and use video and online tools

Visit MANP’s website to register.

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

Maine Community Foundation Conservation for All Grant Info Webinar

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

12:00-1:00pm

Registration required

Maine Community Foundation provides the Conservation for All grant program to invest in organizations and projects that build strong connections between people in Maine and its land and water. The Maine outdoors is a uniquely special place, and they believe it is for everyone. To read more about the “nature gap” and creating equitable access to the outdoors, clean air, and clean water, please click here.

To receive a grant, an organization or project must:

Create or facilitate access to and use of land and/or water for marginalized and historically excluded populations. This means taking specific actions to increase opportunities for those who are not accessing or using the outdoors by, for example, reducing physical or economic barriers, increasing awareness, or creatively encouraging participation.
Engage people who will benefit or be impacted by involving them in the design, implementation, and/or evaluation of the work.

This program provides general support grants to land trusts in Maine whose work meets program criteria, and project grants to organizations implementing projects that meet program criteria. See more in last block below.

MCF will be holding this information webinar for potential applicants to learn more and ask questions. Register for the webinar here.

Why Collect Ash Seed?

Monday, August 7, 2023

1:00-2:30pm via Zoom

Cost: FREE

Presented by the Ash Protection Collaborative Across Wabanakik

This virtual session will explore the question, why is it important to collect ash seeds? Attendees will leave with an understanding of how collecting ash seeds can help provide a future for ash trees in Northeastern forests. Les Benedict from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will tell the story of how seed collection and regrowing ash has continued and deepened his community’s ongoing relationship with these trees. Emily Francis will discuss the process of creating and implementing an Ash Seed Collection Manual. Les, Emily, and Nell Houde will overview the contents of the seed collection manual and prepare participants for a field visit in early September.

5 Nonprofit HR Strategies to Have on Your Radar

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

12:30-1:30pm via Zoom

Cost: $25 for MANP members*, $50 for non-members

This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance

In this session, HR expert Skye Mercer will talk about the five big issues facing nonprofit leaders right now, including recruiting employees and volunteers, implementing skills-first hiring, developing inclusive workplace practices, prioritizing people-leadership training, and being aware of new federal compliance requirements. At the end of the hour, you’ll have an understanding of the HR trends facing nonprofits and strategies for recruiting and retaining the best employees and volunteers.

Discuss the top 5 HR trends impacting nonprofits in 2023 and what to do about them.
Identify strategies for increasing employee retention and performance.
Receive HR foundational resources for collecting employee feedback, auditing your handbook, and onboarding people-leaders.

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

Using Forests to Engage Students in Climate Discussions and Community Science

Thursday, August 10, 2023

9:00am-3:00pm

Yankee Woodlot, Skowhegan

FREE but you must bring your own lunch

The Forest Ecology Research Network (FERN) guides students, teachers, and non-formal educators through creating a 1/10 of an acre plot and infusing the data collection and study of the plot with cross-cutting concepts, current events, and the exploration of natural phenomena. FERN activities are inquiry-based and align with the Maine Science Learning Results and Project Learning Tree Curriculum, and guide students to generate their own questions and use forests as a lens to discuss climate tangibly. This workshop will provide forestry professionals with the tools and experience they need to guide students and teachers through FERN curricula.

Download the agenda here. Click here to register now.

Photovoice: Engaging Communities through Photos, Narratives, and Discussion

Thursday, August 10, 2023

12:00-1:30pm

Cost: $20

Pre-course work: 30 minutes

Presented by the Coastal Training Program at Wells Reserve

Photovoice is an engagement method that can be used to explore community knowledge, experience, perceptions, and aspirations. The Photovoice process asks participants to take photographs in response to a question that is meaningful to the community. They write short narrative statements about their photographs, and then participate in group discussion. Finally, a public exhibit of selected photographs is held to engage with the broader community, including elected officials and other decision-makers.

In this Zoom workshop, learn how Jessica Brunacini, PhD, Coastal Resilience Extension Associate with Maine Sea Grant, engaged two southern Maine coastal communities in a Photovoice project that explored the question, “When it comes to [this place], what do you care about most?” Jessica will reflect on her project and share thoughts on ways community groups can apply the same methods to capture the interest of their audience.

Jobs in the Conservation Sector

The number of open positions available in conservation and the environment this summer compared with ten years ago is incredible – and exciting, too! Check out the newest openings here and view the full list on the website.

Communications and Development Coordinator – Downeast Salmon Federation

Executive Director – Cape Elizabeth Land Trust

Administration Manager – Downeast Coastal Conservancy

Grounds and Facilities Manager – Maine Audubon

Climate and Energy Policy Advisor – The Nature Conservancy

300-Hour Field Team Member – Maine Conservation Corps

Stewardship Coordinator – Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust

Land Conservation Coordinator – Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust

Maine Community Foundation Conservation for All and Maine Land Protection Grants

Applications for both grants due: Friday, September 15, 2023

Maine Community Foundation (MCF) offers two significant funding opportunities to Maine land trusts through its Conservation for All and Maine Land Protection grant programs.

Conservation for All invests in organizations and projects that build strong connections between people in Maine and our land and water. Maximum award is $15,000.

MCF is offering an information webinar for the Conservation for All grant program on Wednesday, August 2. See more information in block above or register now.

Maine Land Protection provides grants for land acquisition or land conservation easement projects that build strong connections between people in Maine and our land and water. Maximum award is $50,000.

MaineCF seeks volunteers to review grant proposals to the Maine Land Protection grant program. Click here for more info.

All applicants for these funding programs must meet MCF’s grant eligibility requirements. Please read the eligibility and grant guidelines before submitting an application.