MLTN Infoline – March 18, 2024

March 25, 2024|Infoline

Momentum Conservation Land Trust Grant Program

It’s not that often that a new land trust grant comes along so when it does, we can’t wait to spread the news! Momentum Conservation (formerly Southern Maine Conservation Collaborative) has announced a new competitive grant program, open to all land trusts in Maine. They will prioritize applicants that are: working to center justice, open to trying new things, expressing vulnerability through sharing learnings, and committed to challenging colonial systems in conservation. The Momentum Conservation Land Trust Grant Fund will award a total of $415,000 in general operating funding to Maine land trusts this year!

The Program will utilize an online grant application. You can preview the application questions on their website now.

Application opens: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Application deadline: Friday, May 24, 2024, at 11:59 PM
Funds awarded by: Monday, July 15, 2024

Peyton Black, Operations and Grant Program Director at Momentum, has open appointments on her calendar and potential applicants can sign-up to meet with her this month.

Congratulations and thanks to Momentum Conservation for all their hard work developing this program and good luck to all applying land trusts!

Angela, Jeff, and Donna

Conference Tickets Selling Fast!

Tickets for the Maine Land Conservation Conference on April 12 & 13 in Topsham are selling fast! Friday workshops are full (contact Donna to be put on the waitlist) and the evening social at Flight Deck Brewing is nearing capacity as well. Register soon for best Saturday workshop selection. We may sell out this year!

Visit the MLTN website for all the details, for workshop descriptions, and to register. We’d love to see you there!

Federal Funding Opportunities

It feels like we keep hearing about available federal grant funding but no one is quite sure how to get their hands on the money. We don’t have all the answers but we do want to share this helpful document from the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) on Federal Funding Opportunities. It includes current federal conservation program funding opportunities that might be the right match for your next conservation project. Opportunities are organized by deadline date and include opportunities from the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and other sources.

We also just learned about a new program LTA is launching to help land trusts across the country apply for and close on grant opportunities through the Natural Resource Conservation Program. Staff for the new department, known as the NRCS Easement Acquisition Program, are just coming on board and getting settled. In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing more about how you can get help navigating the complex federal funding world. In the meantime, if you have questions you can reach out to the program manager, Justin Merrifield.

Maine Climate Resilient Forest Management Workshops

Western Maine Application Deadline: Friday, March 22, 2024

Western Maine workshop (April 17-18): registration closes March 22, 2024
Eastern Maine workshop (May 1-2): registration closes April 5, 2024

The Forest Stewards Guild will be hosting a series of facilitated workshops – Maine Climate Resilient Forest Management Workshops – designed for teams of 2-5 people (including land trust staff, natural resource professionals, and landowners in Maine) to gain new insights on climate change impacts on forests, wildlife, and communities dependent upon them. These workshops will help participants incorporate climate change considerations and identify actions for adaptation into their own real-world forest management/stewardship projects. The workshops will be led by staff from NIACS and the Guild.

View all the details on format and coursework here.

BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THIS WORKSHOP PLEASE NOTE: Each team is asked to bring a real-world project to set context for discussions and activities. This workshop is designed to help you customize a site-specific climate adaptation plan that complements existing management and conservation efforts.

If you have questions related to the workshop or a project proposal, please schedule an appointment with Sam () and Mattison ().

Brave Spaces: Beginning, Sustaining, Evolving in Diversity Equity Inclusion for Maine Land Trusts

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

1:00–5:00pm

Maine Audubon, 20 Gilsland Farm Rd, Falmouth

Cost: $25

There are still a few spaces left in the special in-person pre-conference workshop for organizations and individuals trying to move Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice work forward at their land trust. Momentum Conservation, in partnership with Maine Land Trust Network and Natural Difference, LLC, will present this workshop designed to help develop DEI capacity through vulnerable reflection and brave steps forward.

Participants will receive tools (concepts, schematics, rubrics, principles, and resources) to evolve their organizations’ and personal DEI practices. Whether your DEI work is starting from scratch or you’re hoping to create more systems in your organizations, building this foundation together is essential.

Learn more at Momentum Conservation’s website. Contact Jess Burton to learn more about the program.

Beginner Grantwriting

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 via Zoom

10:00am-1:00pm

Cost: $95 for MANP members*, $135 for non-members

This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Specifically designed for beginners, this workshop will introduce grantwriting to nonprofit professionals who have less than one year of experience with the skill. By the end of this session, participants will learn the steps to craft, construct, and submit an effective grant application, including:

Understanding the various elements of a standard grant proposal application
Managing the grant timelines so that high-quality and complete proposals are submitted on time
Finding data sources to support proposal narratives
Creating effective presentations of grant-narrative elements and ideas among or within proposal components
Identify which proposal-writing approaches, styles, tones, and formats will work best.
Using appropriate and accurate visuals to highlight information
Identify effective practices for developing realistic, accurate line-item and narrative budgets that describe the relationship between line-items and project activities

Visit MANP’s website for more information and a link to register on partner website.

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

Revenue Modeling Strategies for Sustainable Growth + Resilience

Thursday, March 28, 2024 via Zoom

1:00-2:30pm

Cost: $45 for MANP members*, $65 for non-members

Scholarships available for MANP members! Prior to registering, email your scholarship request to and be sure to include your name and organization.

In this session, we will review the essential techniques to prepare your organization for financial peaks and valleys. Learn how to develop robust revenue models that adapt to changing market conditions, allowing you to navigate economic uncertainties and capitalize on growth opportunities. By the end of the webinar, attendees will possess the knowledge and tools to build resilient financial frameworks, ensuring long-term sustainability and success in dynamic nonprofit environments.

This workshop is appropriate for any nonprofit professional! Executive Directors and any staff directly responsible for managing finances and operations, as well as board members looking to better understand their organization’s financial path will benefit.

Visit MANP’s website for more information and to register.

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

Drafting Conservation Easements for Land Trust Practitioners

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 via Zoom

2:00-3:30pm

Cost: $75 for LTA members, $115 for non-members

Instructors: Karin Marchetti and Molly Fales

Conservation easements must be carefully drafted to permanently protect land. This process may seem intimidating to land trust staff, volunteers or board members who are new to drafting easements or who aren’t lawyers themselves. The instructors, both experienced legal counsels, will lead a webinar that highlights templates, plans and processes for planning and drafting legally sound enforceable conservation easements.  This workshop will cover:

Use of conservation plans. 
Use of conservation easement drafting templates. 
Completing legal due diligence in drafting.  
Drafting clear and enforceable restrictions and reserved rights to avoid issues common to both gifted and purchased easements. 
CCALT’s template-based approach for drafting conservation easements and roles of their legal counsel, acquisition and stewardship staff.

Learn more and register on LTA’s website.

Land and Climate Program Grant Information Session

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 via Zoom

2:00-3:00pm

Cost: FREE

The Open Space Institute and the Land Trust Alliance are pleased to announce the 2024 Land and Climate Grant Program. The program aims to support and build the capacity of land trusts and other groups that conserve and steward land to integrate climate change into land protection and management decisions.

This online information session will make sure you’re able to build the best application possible. In this session, we will cover:

An overview of the grant program.
What types of projects and costs are eligible.
Important dates to keep in mind.
Tips and additional resources for putting together a strong proposal.

For more information and to register, visit LTA’s website.

Preparing for Natural Disasters Part 2: Wind and Water

Thursday, April 11, 2024 via Zoom

2:00-3:30pm

Cost: $75 for LTA members, $115 for non-members

Last year was a historic year for climate disasters. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, we experienced 27 separate wind and water events across the country that cost 1 billion dollars or more. Natural disasters like these may result in irreversible damage not only to communities but also to conservation lands, the built environment and land trust operations. Disaster proofing your office, operations and the built environment can help you keep your focus on doing great conservation work when disaster strikes.

This webinar will examine actions land trust executive directors, office administrators and other staff can take to prepare for and mitigate wind and water related risk for their organizations, and other stakeholders. Volunteers and board members may also be interested in applying knowledge from this session to their own homes or workplaces.

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

MNAP Pre-acquisition Review Service for Conservation Projects

The Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP), within the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, has served as a significant source of information on the State’s important natural features for over 25 years. Working with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, MNAP is pleased to announce a pre-acquisition review service for conservation projects. Land trusts, municipalities, and State and Federal Agencies may request this free service.

This new review service will best serve projects that are currently being considered for conservation, have landowner engagement, and are scoping or drafting funding proposals or land donation prospects. 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. Sites with identified significant ecological values may be eligible for follow-up visits and inventory.

For more information, please visit their website. Interested applicants may download a one-page form to request review, and send requests to Lisa St.Hilaire, Information Manager, at .

Jobs in the Conservation Sector

Job postings continue to pour into our jobs page. Whether you’re looking for seasonal employment or something more permanent, there are options to choose from. Newest additions here or view the full list on our website.

Seasonal Land Steward – Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve

Senior Camp Counselor – Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust

Outreach Coordinator – Frenchman Bay Conservancy

Outreach & Events Summer Internship – Frenchman Bay Conservancy

Farmers’ Market Parking Coordinator – Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust

Stewardship Assistant (Part-time) – Three Rivers Land Trust

Camp Instructor – Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust

Executive Director – Megunticook Watershed Association

Digital Marketing Assistant – Maine Audubon

Conservation Forester and Land Manager – Blue Hill Heritage Trust

Summer Program Intern – Maine Audubon

Seasonal Watershed Educator – Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed

Development Coordinator – Lake Stewards of Maine

Disability Access, Inclusion and Leadership Grant Program

Grant applications due March 29, 2024

The Land Trust Alliance’s community-centered conservation department supports land trusts and their partners in engaging all people in their communities to ensure that land conservation is lasting and relevant while bringing greater benefits to the people within their service areas. The department supports land trusts in building trust and relationships with, and elevating the needs, expertise, and leadership of Black, Indigenous and people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, disabled people and others who have not been fully served or prioritized by land conservation.

The Alliance has secured funding for a grant program for land trust members working in partnership with disability communities and/or organizations led by or serving disabled people. The Alliance’s staff and Council for Inclusive Health and Disabilities have partnered with Disabled Hikers to co-create this grant program. Disabled Hikers will provide mentorship and technical support to the grantee cohort throughout the grant cycle.

For more information, see the guidelines document. If you have questions about project ideas, feel free to reach out to Ajiah Zywicki (She/Her), Community-Centered Conservation Program Manager, Land Trust Alliance, (202)-349-0585. Click here to apply.

America the Beautiful Challenge Grants

Pre-Proposal Due Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024 by 11:59pm ET

Full Proposal Due Date (by invitation only): Tuesday, July 16, 2024, by 11:59m ET

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has released the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC) 2024 Request for Proposals (RFP). The ATBC vision is to streamline grant funding opportunities for new voluntary conservation and restoration projects throughout the United States. This RFP consolidates 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, Tribal, and private lands.

Approximately $119 million will be awarded in nationwide funding to conserve, connect, and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife upon which we all depend. Learn about program priorities, funding availability, match and much more on the NFWF website. There you will also find the recording of the applicant webinar that was offered last month.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant

Applications due: June 21, 2024

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the 2025 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) funding opportunity, which provides grants for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources. It is anticipated that there will be $20 million available nationwide this year. MDIFW serves as the applicant for NCWCG proposals.

The NCWCG Program provides eligible State agencies with grants for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources. Projects can include:

Acquisition of a real property interest (e.g., conservation easement or fee title) in coastal lands or waters (coastal wetlands ecosystems) from willing sellers or partners for long‐term conservation;
Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems; or
A combination of acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management.

All projects must ensure long‐term conservation (at least 20 years) of coastal wetland resources.

Please note: potential applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to your WSFR Regional Office point of contact prior to the deadline for any clarifications on applicant eligibility, allowable costs, or other questions you may have about information in this announcement.

View the full announcement, eligibility and application information and more on the US Fish & Wildlife Service website.