MLTN Infoline – March 25, 2025
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Conference Registration is Open!
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It’s official! Registration for the 2025 Maine Land Conservation Conference on April 29 & 30 is now open! Before you begin your registration, you may want to read up to learn about various options you can choose, and peruse the workshop descriptions to decide what you’ll sign up for. Click here to visit our website. You may notice that registration looks a little different than it has the past few years. This year, you’ll be choosing your lunch when you register, and you’ll need to pick which workshops you’ll attend ahead of time. This helps us ensure that the lunch line runs quickly and smoothly, and that there are plenty of seats in each workshop room. If you have any trouble registering, or need to change your lunch or workshop choices, you can email us at or call us at 207-607-4596. We’re here to help!
Online registration will close at midnight on April 21st. If spaces are still available at that time, we will accept walk-in registrations on April 30th but the price goes up to $120.
Keep checking the website for notices and updates as the dates get closer. We hope you’ll join us and make this the biggest and best Maine Land Conservation Conference ever!
See you in Augusta soon!
Angela, Jeff, Donna, and Katia
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LD 1072 Includes Positive Changes to the Conserved Land Registry
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The Maine Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee is holding a hearing Thursday, March 27th on LD 1072. Introduced by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, the bill includes three parts. The third section is the most important one for the land trust community. It proposes changes to the existing conservation lands registry. Established in 2007 for easements and expanded in 2017 to include fee properties, the registry has been burdensome for land trusts and an ineffective tool for informing policymakers. During last fall’s MLTN regional meetings, we learned about an ongoing effort to increase land trust participation in the state’s voluntary, conserved lands GIS dataset. During the discussions, there was support in favor of moving away from the current registry towards requiring land trust participation in the state’s conserved lands GIS dataset. The consensus was that this change would be better for land trusts, while providing improved information for policymakers and the public.
Over the past few months, MCHT has worked with state agency staff on the language in LD 1072 to begin the transition. In the meantime, the existing conservation lands registry requirement is still in effect.
Please contact MCHT’s Policy Director Jeff Romano if you have any questions.
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Public Comment Period for Monarch Butterfly Endangered Species Act Listing Proposal
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A reopened 60-day comment period opened on March 19, 2025, and will close on May 19, 2025. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period for a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed rule includes species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage conservation of the butterfly under section 4(d) of the ESA. The comment period has been reopened to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule, which was published on December 12, 2024. Comments that were previously submitted do not need to be resubmitted. Information about how to submit comments can be found on regulations.gov by searching for docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137.
Everyone can play a role in saving the monarch butterfly. Because of the species’ general habitat use and wide distribution, all sectors of society have an opportunity to participate in a broad range of conservation efforts throughout the butterfly’s range. You can learn more about the monarch butterfly, the monarch listing proposal, and how to help conserve monarch butterflies at fws.gov/monarch.
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Annual Conservation Lands Registry Update Deadline Fast Approaching
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As per 33 MRS §479C, a holder of a conservation easement or a fee owner of land held for conservation purposes that is organized or doing business in the State of Maine shall annually report to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Conservation Lands Registry accounts must be renewed annually between January 1st and March 30th. Renewing your account will allow you to update the Registry with newly acquired easements and fee holdings and confirm the monitoring status of your easement(s) records in your registry account.
The Registry is fully online; account holders can renew their accounts and directly manage and update account information and records quickly and easily.
For questions about your organization or agency’s account or about the registration renewal process, please telephone (207) 592-6135.
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Share Your Conservation Stories in Nature Connects!
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Nature Connects is a monthly op-ed in the Portland Press Herald, created in collaboration with Maine conservation groups. This column, now in its second year, highlights inspiring conservation efforts across the state and the people behind them. Of course, conservation is about more than just protecting land—it’s also about education, community connections, climate resilience, working landscapes, and the challenges as well as the successes. It’s about what is at stake and what is possible. We welcome stories that reflect the full scope of this work! Please don’t let time constraints be a barrier. Share your ideas, and we can provide any level of support needed to bring your story to life—we can’t wait to hear from you!
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Peace of Forest Film Screening with Portland Area Land Trusts
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Saturday, March 29, 2025 6:30-9:00pm
Where: USM’s Hannaford Hall, Portland
Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for children under 12; free community tickets available to those for whom cost is a barrier
We are excited to partner with eight Portland-area land trusts to host a screening (and local premiere) of the Maine-made wildlife documentary a Peace of Forest. Doors will open at 6:30pm, and the film begins at 7pm. A Q+A with filmmakers and producers Lee Ann and Thomas Szelog will be held from 8:30-9pm.
Created in Whitefield, Maine, a Peace of Forest is a one-of-a-kind cinematic adventure, allowing viewers to experience a wild, peaceful and mysterious world that is filled with complex relationships and ways of wonder. The film celebrates the beauty and intimacy of wildlife in Maine with surprising, tender and exquisite interactions of wildlife during undisturbed moments.
Please use this link to purchase tickets.
Click here to view the movie trailer, and click here to read the reviews.
Co-hosts: Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust, Falmouth Land Trust, Freeport Conservation Trust, Maine Land Trust Network, Oceanside Conservation Trust, Portland Trails, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Scarborough Land Trust, and South Portland Land Trust
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MANP Leadership Institute: Info Session
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Wednesday, April 2, 2025 via Zoom 5:30-6:30pm
Cost: FREE
MANP’s Leadership Institute for Executive Directors provides executive directors of all experience levels with dedicated time and space to reflect, set goals, and develop action plans to strengthen their leadership.
Applications are now open for the next class, which will take place September 2025 through May 2026 in a hybrid format.
Visit MANP’s website for program information and to sign up for this info packed session!
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Feedback in Focus: Essential Skills for Accountability and Growth
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Thursday, April 3, 2025 via Zoom 1:00-2:30pm
Cost: $45 for MANP members*, $65 for non-members
How confident are you in giving feedback that truly motivates change? Do you ever hesitate, unsure of how to frame your message or respond to others’ reactions?
Feedback is a cornerstone of effective leadership, yet delivering and receiving it can often feel challenging. Join us to develop the tools and mindset needed to foster accountability, growth, and trust through feedback. Participants in this workshop can expect to:
Learn more and register at MANP’s website.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact MLTN to check your organization’s MLTN membership status.
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The Executive Search Playbook for Small & Mid-Size Nonprofits
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Thursday, April 24, 2025 via Zoom
1:00-2:00pm
Cost: $36 for MANP members*, $40 for non-members
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Common Good Vermont
Finding the right executive leader is one of the most important decisions a nonprofit can make. In this webinar, we’ll walk you through the key steps of an executive search, from planning for leadership transitions to engaging stakeholders and defining roles. We’ll cover how to craft a compelling job description, design a competitive and equitable compensation package, and attract top talent—whether through internal leadership development or external recruitment. You’ll also learn about the pros and cons of hiring a search firm and what questions to ask when considering outside support. Join us to gain practical strategies for navigating executive transitions with confidence and clarity. Learn more and get the link to register on partner website at MANP’s website.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact us to check your organization’s MLTN membership status.
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Daring Workplaces: Embracing Safe Connection
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Thursday, May 8, 2025 via Zoom
12:00-2:00pm Cost: $45 for MANP members*, $90 for non-members
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Utah Nonprofit Association
Psychological safety is the secret ingredient to a workplace where people feel seen, heard, and valued—and where creativity and engagement thrive. In this interactive session, you’ll discover how trust, vulnerability, and even a little imperfection can transform team dynamics. Inspired by Brené Brown’s research, we’ll break down the power of storytelling, grounded confidence, and real-world strategies to build a culture of connection. Walk away with practical tools to lead with empathy, strengthen trust, and create a workplace where everyone can do their best work.
Learn more and get the link to register on partner website at MANP’s website.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact us to check your organization’s MLTN membership status.
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Jobs in the Conservation Sector
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Our jobs page is bursting with opportunities: seasonal, permanent, part-time and full-time. Check out the newest additions here or view the full list on our website. Land Steward/Conservation Forester – Greater Lovell Land Trust
Farmers Market Parking Coordinator – Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust
Communication and Event Coordinator – New Learning Journey/First Light
Seasonal Stream Habitat Technician – Trout Unlimited
Stewardship Director – Downeast Coastal Conservancy
Regional Steward, Mount Desert Island – Maine Coast Heritage Trust
AmeriCorps Field Team Member – Maine Conservation Corps
Seasonal Land Steward, 2 positions – Mount Desert Land & Garden Preserve
Human Resources Manager – Maine Audubon
Horticulture Intern – Cape Elizabeth Land Trust
Stewardship Assistant – Georges River Land Trust
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Farm Credit East AgEnhancement Grants
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Applications Due: April 1, 2025
Farm Credit East awards grants through its Farm Credit AgEnhancement program to help organizations promote awareness of and strengthen agriculture, commercial fishing, and forest products in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and Vermont. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded in support of efforts to foster and grow all types of agriculture, forest production, or commercial fishing, including traditional and nontraditional production and marketing approaches. Program areas include but are not limited to leadership development; economic viability and enhancement; programs to promote northeast agriculture and recognize developments of ag leaders; efforts to build a better understanding of agriculture, forestry, and commercial fishing; and economic analysis to foster agriculture.
The program supports programs intended to assist all-size farms, promote diversity, and create opportunities for new entrants into agriculture. Applicants who demonstrate how a program, project, activity, or event will have a long-term positive effect on the eight-state Northeast region’s agriculture, forest products, or commercial fishing industries are encouraged to seek funding.
For more information, visit Farm Credit East’s website.
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