MLTN Infoline – May 6, 2026
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2026 Maine Land Conservation Conference Brought Conservationists Together
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Greetings! We want to thank everyone who took time out from their busy schedules to attend last week’s Maine Land Conservation Conference. More people than ever joined us and brought their energy, their expertise, and their ideas for the future to the workshops, conversations, and the awesome boards created by graphic notetaker Karyn Knight Detering. Read more and see some photos of the boards on our website. Huge thanks also go out to our sponsors and our many fabulous presenters and panelists. MLTN is pleased to serve you through our events, our website, and our many resources and programs (read on!)
Angela, Megan, Jeff, Katia, and Donna
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Leadership Coaching for MLTN Member Staff and Board
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Expressions of interest are welcome at any time MLTN is pleased to offer professional coaching services to MLTN member organizations. Through coaching, MLTN member staff and/or board members (regardless of position) are supported to grow in their leadership, clarify their thought processes, and take actions that support their goals and are in line with their values. Coaching provides a tailored approach to meet individual and/or group growth and effectiveness and generally entails an initial commitment of 6-12 one-hour sessions scheduled over 3-8 months. Interested organizations are encouraged to speak with Megan Shore for more information.
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May is Bike Month: Pedal More to Cut Pain at the Pump
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Bike to Work Week 2026 will take place May 11-17, 2026, and Bike to Work Day is on Friday, May 15!
May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to give biking a try. The timing of National Bike Month is particularly appropriate this year. Biking has always been a healthy and cost effective way to travel from place to place and even commute to work, but if anyone needed convincing, the current surging gasoline prices might do it. Interested in planning a Bike Month event? Check out promotional materials, social media images, and more on the website.
You can also check out this commentary on Streets Blog USA for lots of data and ideas on incorporating biking into your daily life. And don’t forget to ride smart!
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Understanding Nonprofit Property Tax Exemption in Maine
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Wednesday, May 13, 2026 1:00-2:00pm
Cost: FREE
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Cultural Alliance of Maine
This free webinar will help nonprofits better understand property tax exemption in Maine. Speakers, Katherine Hambley and Benjamin Pollock of Drummond & Drummond will cover:
Visit MANP’s website to learn more and register.
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Prepare for Disruption: Business Continuity Planning
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Wednesday, May 13, 2026 via Zoom
2:00-2:30pm Cost: FREE
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Nonprofit Risk Management Center
If your nonprofit can make only one significant investment of time in a risk endeavor this year, the Nonprofit Risk Management Center encourages you to make it a business continuity plan. Rather than preparing you for any singular disaster, a great BCP gives you a foundation to navigate a range of disruptions. This webinar will show you how.
Visit MANP’s website to learn more and register.
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Wildlands as a Conservation Tool: Why They Matter, How to Protect Them, and Common Challenges and Solutions
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Tuesday, May 19, 2026 via Zoom 12:00-1:00pm
Cost: FREE
Participation is free, but registration is required.
Wildlands are permanently protected areas where priority is placed on ecological integrity and natural processes with minimal human intervention. Sometimes called wilderness or forever-wild lands, wildlands can complement other types of conservation objectives—such as working lands and outdoor recreation—on land trust properties and conservation easements of all different sizes and locations across Maine.
Join us for this MLTN Lunch & Learn that will explore in more depth what wildlands offer, why they matter within the broader conservation landscape, and how they are established and managed. We will also discuss common challenges — including funding and public perception — and propose practical approaches for addressing them.
Register here.
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Caring for Clients, Yourself, and Each Other: Practical De-escalation & Communication Tools for Direct Service Staff
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Two Wednesdays, May 20 and 27, 2026 via Zoom 11:00am-12:15pm
Cost: $40.50 per session for MANP members*, $45 for non-members; register for each Wednesday separately
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Common Good Vermont
Join MANP and Common Good Vermont for a practical, skills-focused limited series on de-escalation in critical conversations, designed to support direct service staff in safely navigating high-emotion, high-stakes interactions. Get a breakdown of what will be covered at each session in detail on MANP’s website.
Visit MANP’s website to learn more and get code and link to register at partner website.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact us to check your organization’s MLTN membership status.
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Beginner Level Chainsaw Training Workshops
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The first workshop will be held Friday, May 29, 2026 8:30am-3:00pm
Whitney Memorial Forest, Gray
Cost: $65
Other workshop dates and locations include:
Maine Woodland Owners will once again offer its popular chainsaw training workshops this spring and summer at locations throughout the state. This hands-on beginner-level training provides instruction on saw handling and maintenance, protective equipment, firewood cutting, and tree felling.
Instructed by Jack Houz, a certified logging professional trainer with significant experience with chainsaws and training others to safely handle a chainsaw, all workshops are open to the public and registration for each workshop is $65.00 per person. The workshop is not a full Certified Logging Professional training. Participants must have safety gear (some gear will be available to borrow), a lunch, and a folding chair.
Get more information and register at Maine Woodland Owners website.
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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.
To register, click here.
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Jobs in the Conservation Sector
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Check out these interesting new positions that have recently been added to our jobs page. View the full list on our website. Senior Counselor, CREA Camp – Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust
Resource Management Coordinator (Information Manager) – DACF, Maine Natural Areas Program
Community Outreach Manager – Kennebec River Restoration Trust
Senior Accountant – Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Scarborough Marsh Community Engagement Specialist – Scarborough Land Trust
Changemakers Residency Program – Maine Environmental Education Association
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NRCS Agricultural Easement Program
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Applications due: Friday, May 29, 2026 The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maine is accepting applications for two programs:
These programs provide financial and technical assistance to landowners who wish to protect, restore, and enhance vital agricultural lands and wetland habitats on their property.
Wetlands and agricultural lands are critical to the health of Maine’s environment and economy. They provide numerous benefits, including:
Visit our website for more information and documentation. Contact the NRCS-ME Bangor State Office to learn more and apply for ACEP-ALE or ACEP-WRE.
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