MLTN Infoline – June 8, 2022
Land for Maine’s Future Approves 20 New Projects | |
In late May, the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Board approved 20 conservation projects across the state to preserve public access to lakes, rivers, scenic views, and mountain vistas. With the selection of 20 new projects, the Land for Maine’s Future program has now approved a total of 25 new projects (the board approved five statewide conservation proposals in January of 2022) since the Governor and Legislators from both parties reinvigorated the program in 2021 with $40 million in new funding through the biennial budget. This is a welcome sign that the program is ramping back up to its previous pace. Learn more about the projects that received funding on our website. LMF works for Maine! | |
It’s Time for MNRCP Grants! | |
Letters of Intent Due: 5:00pm, June 29th, 2022 Here in Maine, we are fortunate to have the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program (MNRCP). Administered by The Nature Conservancy, these grants provide a steady and much needed source of funding for conservation projects. The MNRCP is currently accepting Letters of Intent. An estimated $3.8 million will be available for award in 2022 to restore and protect aquatic resources and significant wildlife habitat in Maine. MNRCP is in need of projects that address specific resources in certain regions, as shown below, in order to compensate for recent impacts. Projects that address these resources may score higher than other projects:
Wetland restoration and enhancement projects are strongly encouraged. These projects may score higher than preservation-only projects. Preservation projects are eligible for funding provided they preserve high value aquatic resources and adjacent upland buffers. | |
Land Trust Meet Up in Newcastle Next Week | |
Tuesday, June 14th, 5:30-7:30pm Oxbow Brewing Company, Newcastle Spring is well underway! The days are long and the evenings are (usually) warm enough to be outside. Come on down and join us for an evening of casual networking with your land trust peers. Meet MCHT’s new President Kate Stookey! Kate was raised in Blue Hill, so her connection to the state runs deep. After a few decades of working in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Kate is happy to be home and anxious to meet other land trust leaders and hear their perspectives. Get all the details and link to register on our website. | |
Love Maine Trails Month | |
Saturday, June 25th – Sunday, July 31, 2022 Kick-Off Day: Saturday, June 25th, 2022 The inaugural Love Maine Trails Month aims to harness the collective power of Maine’s organizations and volunteers to engage in critical trail work projects caring for the trails we love. The Maine Trails Coalition is organizing this event to accomplish needed trail work while raising awareness of the ethic of care and magnitude of scale required to maintain Maine’s trails. There are two ways to participate:
Organizations that host a work day will track volunteer hours, take before and after pics, and share about the day on social media. At the conclusion, organizations will be put in a drawing for prizes that will help advance their trail projects. Learn more at the Maine Trails Coalition website. | |
How Land Trusts Can Better Serve LGBTQ+ Community | |
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 2:00-3:30pm Cost: $70 for members, $100 for non-members Happy Pride Month! Does your land trust serve members of the LGBTQ+ community? Like many marginalized communities, it can be easy to overlook the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community if you aren’t being intentional about it. Join Joe Toolan from the Nature Conservancy and Forrest Cortes from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to learn about barriers to access and how to incorporate members of your local LGBTQ+ community into your decision making. For more information and to register, visit the LTA website. | |
Succession and Transition Planning: How to Begin | |
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 10:30-11:30am Cost: $45 for MANP members* This workshop is intended to provide an overview, practices, and tools that may help organizations get smoothly through transition, succession, and back up planning. Participants will:
Visit MANP’s website to register. *Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check on your MLTN membership status. | |
Maine Land Conservation Law E-Bulletin | |
Attorney Rob Levin puts out a periodic Conservation Law E-Bulletin, and the emails are always filled with information that’s relevant to land trusts. His latest one includes articles on the new affordable housing bill and PFAS. You can view it online here. If you would like to subscribe to receive Rob’s Maine Conservation Law E-Bulletin or his Maine Nonprofit Law E-Bulletin, click here to fill out the form. | |
Jobs in the Conservation Sector | |
Looking for employment at a Maine environmental organization? Visit our jobs page and check out recent postings below. GIS Associate – Maine Coast Heritage Trust Advancement Director – Maine Island Trails Association Field Team Member (Trails) – Maine Conservation Corps Administrative Manager – Midcoast Conservancy Farm Network Administrative Assistant – Maine Farmland Trust Conservation Coordinator – Sebago Clean Waters Herd Manager, Aldermere Farm – Maine Coast Heritage Trust | |
America the Beautiful Challenge Grants | |
Proposal Due Date: Thursday, July 21, 2022, by 11:59 PM The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC). The ATBC vision is to streamline grant funding opportunities for new voluntary conservation and restoration projects around the US. This Request for Proposals is a first step toward consolidating funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale, locally led projects that address shared funder priorities spanning public and private lands. In year one of the ATBC, approximately $85 million will be awarded in nationwide funding to advance the America the Beautiful Initiative and its goals: to connect and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife upon which we all depend. In the first year, ATBC will seek to fund projects across the following themes:
Read the Request for Proposals at the National Fish and Wildlife website. A Tip Sheet is available for quick reference while you are working through your application. Additional information to support the application process can be accessed on the NFWF website’s Application Information page. Before submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to discuss project ideas with NFWF’s staff. Staff contact information is listed toward the bottom of the ATBC Request for Proposals here. | |
Quadratec Cares ‘Energize The Environment’ Grant Program | |
Essay Due Date: Thursday, June 30th, by 11:59 PM Over the years, Quadratec has proudly awarded environmental-restoration grants to scores of groups and individuals through their Quadratec Cares Restoration for Recreation program. This year, they are doing things just a little differently. This year, Quadratec is asking you – or your organization – to tell them why you feel you’d make a great fit for their grant program. They are offering two $3,500 environmental grants per year – one each in the spring and fall – to an individual or group currently pursuing a program or initiative designed to benefit the environment. Some examples of this would be:
Interested individuals or groups should submit a 1000-1600 word essay to that paints a picture of who you or your organization are, what drives and inspires you or your organization, what you or the organization are looking to accomplish, and how you plan to apply their grant to your project. Please submit your essay as a PDF (preferred) or Microsoft Word document to be eligible for consideration. More information at https://www.quadratec.com/page/quadratec-cares-grant-program. | |