MLTN Infoline – June 10, 2026
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New MLTN Program Provides Direct Support and Funding to Land Conservation Organizations
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MLTN is excited to announce a brand new program that will provide direct support and funding to land conservation organizations who seek to enhance their effectiveness through assessment, strategic alignment, and tailored capacity building. The Organizational Assessment and Capacity Support Program emphasizes reflection, learning, communication, and strategic and structural alignment as tools for enhanced capacity and organizational effectiveness. It is generously supported by the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation. Through this program, participating MLTN-member organizations are guided through an organizational assessment process designed to help the organization better understand its strengths and areas for growth. Following the assessment, funding is provided to help the organization implement key recommendations. Strong support and commitment to participate from both board and staff is required. Please note an initial deadline of June 24 for expressions of interest, after which we anticipate accepting proposals on a rolling basis. Program details are available here.
This program is part of a suite of new and updated programs that Maine Coast Heritage Trust is working on this year to support Maine’s land conservation community. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details!
Stay cool,
Megan, Angela, Katia, Donna, and Jeff
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Registration for 2026 Maine Coastal Cleanup Now Open!
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The 2026 Maine Coastal Cleanup will take place September 5-19. Registration is open now through August 21. Sign up for a site on the Maine Coastal Cleanup webpage. Maine Coastal Cleanup is an annual volunteer-driven initiative organized by the Maine Coastal Program to clean debris from Maine’s coastal shores. It is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, which the non-profit Ocean Conservancy established over 40 years ago to address the problem of ocean and coastal trash.
The Maine Coastal Program has been the State Coordinator for the International Coastal Cleanup for over 30 years and remains committed to supporting and facilitating annual Cleanups of Maine’s coastal beaches and waterways. Volunteers support this effort by adopting a location and soliciting others to join them in cleaning up the trash from their location of choice and help to keep our coast and ocean trash free! Once a location is registered on the website, it will show on the site as looking for volunteers, with a contact email so they can sign up.
For more information about the Maine Coastal Cleanup, email Theresa Torrent, Outreach and Stewardship Specialist for the Maine Coastal Program, at theresa.torrent@maine.gov.
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Voluntary Municipal Farm Support Program Webinar
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Monday, June 15, 2026 via Zoom
6:00-7:00pm Cost: FREE
Co-hosted by GrowSmart Maine and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Join this free webinar outlining the benefits of the Voluntary Municipal Farm Support Program (VMFSP). The program authorizes municipalities to create local, non-permanent agricultural conservation easement programs aimed to lower the property tax burdens placed on farm owners.
This informational webinar is suited to anyone new to the VMFSP or curious to learn more, as well as those interested in recent statutory program updates.
Click here to register.
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FSC Group Certification: A Practical Overview for Land Trusts
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Tuesday, June 16, 2026 via Zoom
12:00-1:00pm
Cost: FREE but registration is required
This MLTN Lunch & Learn webinar provides an overview of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast’s (PLC) FSC Forest Management group certificate and how it applies to land trusts. Participants will learn how the program works, typical costs and responsibilities, and where certification can add value—from documenting stewardship to supporting funding opportunities. The session will include perspectives from land trusts currently participating in the program and highlight the connection to the Master Logger Certification Program® and responsible harvesting practices on the ground. Time will be included for questions and discussion. Register here. A recording will be shared with all registrants afterwards.
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Securing Google Workspace for Nonprofits
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 via Zoom 3:00-4:00pm
Cost: FREE
Hosted by Community IT Innovators
Google Workspace is one of the most widely used platforms in the nonprofit sector, and the free nonprofit tier gives organizations a powerful set of tools. But how secure is it – and what can you do to protect your organization?
Whether you are the person who manages your organization’s Google account or a staff member who wants to understand your risks, this session is designed to be accessible and practical. The webinar will focus on the security features available in the nonprofit tier of Google Workspace – including two-step verification, phishing-resistant authentication, and staff training basics – and give you concrete steps you can take right now.
Learn more and register here.
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Facilitation Basics for Coastal Managers
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Wednesday June 24, 2026 9:00am-4:30pm
Maine Department of Marine Resources, Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta
Cost: $28.52
Presented by Wells Reserve Training & Engagement Program
Productive meetings are essential to effectively plan for and manage the diverse interests and needs in our coastal communities. In this course, through lecture, discussions, and small group activities, participants will learn foundational facilitation skills, tools to engage participants, and techniques for dealing with disruptive behaviors.
Learn more and register here.
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Finding Place in a Warming World
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Wednesday, June 24, 2026 5:30-7:00pm
Portland Public Library, Downtown Branch
Cost: FREE
Portland’s Sustainability Series is co-hosted by the Portland Public Library and Momentum Conservation, and is sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank.
What does it mean to take responsibility for a place at a moment of irrevocable changes? Dr. Olson will read from her forthcoming book, which documents lived experiences of climate change in Maine and explores how communities are reimagining a relationship to place amidst the unpredictable currents of climate change.
Dr. Kate Olson is a writer, climate sociologist, and mother. Her work explores the interconnections among people, places, and livelihoods in a changing climate, from mega-dams in Southeast Asia to clam harvesting in rural Maine.
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Let’s Talk About Trust
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Thursday, June 25, 2026 9:00am-4:00pm
Viles Arboretum, 153 Hospital Street, Augusta
Cost: $39.19
Presented by Wells Reserve Training & Engagement Program
We increasingly hear the message that working with communities requires trust. Do you find yourself wondering, what does trust mean? What does trust look like? How do we build trust, or better yet, how do we work through distrust with partners? This workshop includes reflection and peer-to-peer sharing to build our collective knowledge of what trusting relationships with communities truly look like. If you have expertise to share or are just starting to think about this kind of work, we want you to be part of the conversation.
“Let’s Talk About Trust” is a collaborative learning workshop. It includes a combination of group discussion, partnered activities, and individual reflection.
Learn more and register here.
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Growing Your Land Trust’s Development Program
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Wednesday, July 15, 2026 via Zoom
2:00-3:30pm
Cost: $75 for LTA members, $140 for non-members
Protecting land in perpetuity takes money. A lot of money. As an executive director, board member or volunteer at a land trust without dedicated fundraising staff, it’s probably crossed your mind that everything would be a lot easier if you had an experienced professional in a full-time development role. Perhaps it’s time to grow your development program. Alice Hudson Pell (executive director, TennGreen) and Mindy Milby Tuttle (senior director of principal giving, Land Trust Alliance) will explore the whys, hows, whats, wheres and whens of bringing on additional people who you can trust to steward and sustain your mission. Here’s a look at what they will cover:
Learn more and register at LTA’s website.
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Jobs in the Conservation Sector
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Here are our newest job postings from mltn.org/jobs.
Programs and Communications Manager – York Land Trust
Land Conservation Manager – Northeast Wilderness Trust Waterfront Director & Certified Lifeguard (Seasonal Summer Position) – Hearty Roots
Marketing & Development Manager – Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust
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MNRCP 2026 Funding Round Deadline Approaching
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Letters of Intent due: 5:00pm on Wednesday, June 17th The Nature Conservancy is now accepting Letters of Intent for the 2026 MNRCP funding round. Over $7.3 million is available for award, with more funds expected during the round. In 2026, MNRCP will only be accepting proposals for wetland and stream restoration, enhancement, and creation projects. No funding will be given to projects that propose only acquisition of property or conservation easements (i.e., “preservation only” projects). While “preservation only” proposals will not be accepted in 2026, funding may be awarded to acquire and preserve land if it is a component of a restoration, enhancement, or creation project. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals for projects that include both preservation and wetland restoration, enhancement, or creation. Public agencies, non-profit conservation organizations, tribes, soil and water conservation districts, and municipalities are all eligible to submit a Letter of Intent.
For more information, see the Request for Letters of Intent available at https://www.mnrcp.org/home. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Emerson at The Nature Conservancy (207-607-4821 or bryan.emerson@tnc.org).
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Deadline Extended for Maine Trails Program Grant
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The Maine Trails Program is adopting a new online grant application portal for the upcoming grant round. To allow time for implementation of the new system and to ensure applicants have adequate time to submit their applications, the application deadline has been extended to July 17, 2026. Grant applications will be submitted through the new online portal. Paper applications will be accepted on a limited basis. While the method of submission is changing, the application requirements are not. The application questions, required attachments, and supporting documentation will remain the same as originally published in the Program Guidance document.
Additional information about accessing and using the online portal will be provided in the coming weeks.
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