MLTN Infoline – November 30, 2022

December 28, 2022|Infoline

Host Applications for 2023 Richard G Rockefeller Conservation Internship Program Due Today

Don’t let this deadline pass you by! If you’ve been thinking about applying to host a Richard G Rockefeller Conservation Intern next summer, you still have time to apply.

This Maine Coast Heritage Trust paid internship program provides opportunities to Maine college-age individuals pursuing undergraduate, certificate, or associate degrees, while helping Maine land trusts with extra capacity during the busy summer season. It also helps nurture the next generation of conservation professionals with real life on-the-job experience and inspiration. Read the information for prospective hosts here.

The application is not at all lengthy, though you do need to be able to describe what kind of work the intern would be doing, with specific projects and tasks associated. View the application here. Contact Maggie Cozens, program coordinator, by email or phone (207-607-4593).

Are you ready to take the leap next summer?

Whit, Jeff, and Donna

Land for Maine’s Future Funding Opportunity

At their November 29 meeting, the Land for Maine’s Future Board outlined a preliminary schedule for a new round of Conservation and Recreation grants: community conservation projects and those that are of statewide significance. The program is finalizing changes to their workbook and grant processes before announcing a formal call for proposals, which they expect to issue in December. You should expect a mid-January deadline for submitting an inquiry form, March deadline for final application, and May award announcements.

American Farmland Trust Survey of Land Trusts That Protect Agricultural Land for Agriculture

American Farmland Trust (AFT) conducts a nationwide survey of land trusts that protect agricultural land for agriculture. The survey includes questions about staff and board, land protection activity, participation in local, state, and federal farmland protection programs, and provisions in your easements. This survey is conducted every five years to better understand the extent of farm and ranch land protection by private conservation organizations.

This work is supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Survey results are used to:

Identify entities that help landowners protect productive land or farmers gain access to land, which are then included in their Farmland Protection Directory.
Document the impact that farmland protection organizations have across the U.S. We combine these results with our surveys of state and local purchase of agricultural conservation easement programs to generate a nationwide total of permanently protected agricultural land. The data also informs AFT’s Protected Agricultural Lands Database.

If you have already filled out their survey, thank you! If you’re not sure whether your land trust received the survey, or you need to be sent the invitation and survey link again, please send American Farmland Trust an email at . The survey will remain open until December 9.

Maine Invasive Species Survey

Invasive species are a major threat to Maine’s environment, economy, and communities. For centuries, invasive species have affected our forests, agricultural lands, waterways, natural areas, infrastructure, and people. Invasive species do not respect human boundaries. Federal, state, and local efforts to exclude, survey, monitor, eradicate or slow their spread require large investments in human and fiscal resources.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is asking you to complete a survey to provide your perspective on invasive species, what species are the biggest concerns, how do you manage them, and how should they be prevented and/or managed in Maine.

The purpose of this survey is to help improve Maine’s management of invasive species and to help develop more effective invasive species policy. (Invasive species is defined as a non-native species (including seeds, eggs, spores, or other propagules) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health. It could be a pathogen, arthropod, plant, mammal, fish, invertebrate, or other organism.) Your help is appreciated!

MANP Spotlight: Communications for Small Shops

Thursday, December 15, 2022

10:00am-4:30pm

Virtual One-Day Webinar Series

Cost: $129 for MANP members*, $169 Nonmembers

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

Whether you’re a marketing department of one or a nonprofit of one, communications is a “hat” that someone must wear. Nonprofits regularly need to communicate about what they do to various audiences. This one-day series of sessions is designed to give you tools and strategies you can put to work the next day. This Spotlight will focus on smaller shops, so the information will be tailored to meet your organization’s needs without overwhelming staff (i.e. you!).

This Spotlight is geared toward nonprofit organizations with under 10 employees. The sessions are meant for both communications staff at small nonprofits, as well as tiny shops with staff who wear many hats and want to improve and expand their marketing and communications efforts.

Spotlights are day-long virtual trainings, offering four to five 60-minute sessions, each exploring a different aspect of a specific topic. Each session will be led by experienced nonprofit leaders and subject-matter experts. Spotlights are designed to offer practical information that can be applied immediately along with larger-picture questions and possibilities to consider for the long-term.

Visit MANP’s website for detailed information about the six sessions included in this spotlight.

*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check on your MLTN membership status.

Did You Know? GIS Resources for Land Trusts

In this age, pretty much every land trust – staffed or volunteer – uses GIS technology in its work. We’ve dedicated a page on the MLTN website to sharing GIS Resources. Check it out. If we’re missing something you have found useful at your land trust, please let us know! That’s the point of the Maine Land Trust Network – land trusts sharing their expertise with each other to build the strongest conservation community possible!

Jobs in the Conservation Sector

Just a couple of new positions right now, listed below, but after the holidays there will be a flurry again. View the full list here.

Program Manager – Sebasticook Regional Land Trust

Natural Resource Specialist – Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm

Walmart Local Community Grants

Applications Due: December 31, 2022

Walmart and Sam’s Club give back to communities through their Local Community grant program. Local Community grants are awarded through an open application process and provide funding directly from Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities to local organizations in the U.S. Don’t know how to determine your local facility? Don’t worry, the application will assist you.

Local Community grants range from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $5,000.

All organizations applying for a Local Community grant must be CyberGrants FrontDoor verified prior to applying.

Visit Walmart.org for details and to submit an application.