MLTN Infoline – November 4, 2025
|
Reminder: Firearm Season is Underway
|
|
|
This year the firearms season for deer will run from November 3rd through the 29th, so if you are enjoying the out-of-doors on land trust protected property, please check their website and welcome kiosk to see if hunting is allowed, and wear your blaze orange if it is. Many land trust lands remain open for hunting but not all hunting opportunities are the same, so know before you go! If you are planning to hunt at one of the land trust lands open to hunting, please be sure you understand and adhere to hunter safety rules & laws. When in doubt, it’s never a bad idea to be in touch with the landowner/land trust so you are both on the same page.
If your land trust allows hunting on some properties, there are many ways you can help keep visitors safe. Be sure to place a notice that hunting is allowed at trailheads in a highly visible location. Some land trusts provide blaze orange vests or bandanas at the kiosk for visitors to borrow. Others allow hunting on some preserves on certain days of the week but not others. Each organization handles hunting a little differently but the important thing is to be thoughtful and prepared and to do everything you can to communicate your approach clearly to hunters, neighbors, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
While we are on the topic, you can check out this article by Colin Brown, executive director at Downeast Coastal Conservancy, that ran in the Bangor Daily News this past weekend. This is great outreach for all Maine land trusts. Thank you, Colin!
Stay safe out there,
Angela, Jeff, Megan, Katia, and Donna
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unauthorized Nonprofit Pages on GoFundMe
|
|
|
Recently, GoFundMe – the crowdfunding platform – created donation pages on its website for 1.4 million nonprofit organizations without their knowledge or consent, including hundreds of organizations in Maine. Why is this a problem? Many nonprofits simply did not know about GoFundMe’s actions, which may have harm their current and future fundraising efforts, damage brand reputations, and cause confusion. Thankfully, the National Council of Nonprofits and others raised the alarm and addressed Go Fund Me with their concerns. As a result, the company issued an apology and outlined quick, corrective actions to remove the unauthorized donation pages, prevent further harm, and rebuild trust with nonprofits. GoFundMe has also agreed to de-index all unauthorized donation pages so that they no longer appear on its website or in online searches, and it changed the default so that authorized pages do not automatically have SEO optimization.
Going forward, GoFundMe will provide nonprofits with the choice about whether to participate and greater control over their messaging. To learn more about what happened, why it matters, and actions you may want to take, visit the Maine Association of Nonprofits website and read their blog on the topic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help Improve the Maine Trails Program for Future Applicants
|
|
|
As valued participants in Maine’s network of trail organizations, your experience is crucial. Whether you and your organization applied for a Maine Trails Program grant this fall or not, your feedback through the questionnaire linked below will help improve the program. The deadline is November 16th. This brief 5-minute survey, put together by the Maine Trails Program Ambassador volunteers and the Maine Trails Coalition, is a unique opportunity to provide feedback and potentially spur tangible improvements. Your responses will drive two distinct outcomes:
Your voice and your time are appreciated. Click here to take the survey by November 16th. Thank you for helping make the next grant cycle smoother for everyone!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginner Level Chainsaw Training
|
|
|
Saturday, November 8, 2025
9:00am-3:00pm Merk Woodlot, Otisfield
Cost: $25 per person
Limited to 20 participants. Please register by November 6!
The program is co-sponsored by Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District and Maine Woodland Owners
Join Maine Woodland Owners Western Maine Chapter Leader and retired Maine Forest Service District Forester Merle Ring for this beginner level chainsaw training. Learn about saw handling and maintenance, protective equipment, firewood cutting, and possibly tree felling in this hands-on program.
This workshop is beginner level and not a Certified Logging Professional training. Water and snacks will be provided. Participants should bring lunch, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), and a saw. Extra equipment will be available.
Register at oxfordcountyswcd.org/workshops or contact , (207) 744-3111. Please indicate if you need to borrow equipment. Once registered, further instructions will be provided.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No Money, No Mission: The Importance of Strong Financial Management through Leadership Transitions
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 via Zoom 2:30-4:30pm
Cost: $50 for MANP members*, $70 for non-members
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Organizational leaders of all levels need to learn how to make sure their finances can survive an expected or unexpected leadership transition. With many retirements on the horizon and continuing increased pressures on our organizations, the sector will continue to see significant leadership turnover. When finances only live in one or two people’s brains, things can fall into disarray quickly! And as we all know, good financial management – and accountability! – can make or break an organization. During this session you will learn how you can be better prepared with your finances and financial management for a transition, and how to navigate the transition once it happens.
Visit MANP’s website for learning objectives, discount code, and link to register on partner website.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact us to check your organization’s MLTN membership status.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Campaign Narratives of Abundance: Fundraising Rooted in Purpose, Power, and Possibility
|
|
|
Thursday, November 13, 2025 via Zoom
11:00am-1:00pm Cost: $50 for MANP members*, $70 for non-members
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits During times of uncertainty and urgency, it is tempting to fundraise using narratives of scarcity, fear, or desperation. This interactive workshop invites participants to reimagine messaging through a lens of abundance, possibility, and shared purpose. Together, we’ll explore how to shift from transactional to transformational storytelling – crafting narratives that reflect the richness of your community and the vision of your work. Participants will engage in exercises to surface compelling stories of collective resilience and generosity, and practice framing campaign language that inspires trust, alignment and joy in giving. Visit MANP’s website for learning objectives, discount code, and link to register on partner website.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact us to check your organization’s MLTN membership status.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Providing Health Benefits at Your Land Trust
|
|
|
Monday, November 17, 2025 via Zoom 2:00-3:30pm
Cost: FREE
Health insurance is one of the most critical — and often most complex — benefits for land trusts and other non-profit organizations to manage for employees. With rising costs, shifting regulations and evolving workforce needs, it’s more important than ever for non-profits to understand the options and make informed decisions that support both the organization’s mission and employees.
This webinar is designed specifically for non-profit leaders and human resources professionals who want to stay ahead of current health insurance trends, learn how to design cost-effective, competitive benefits packages, and explore options tailored to the unique needs of the non-profit sector.
Visit LTA’s website for more information and to register.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction to the Ecological Restoration Design Process
|
|
|
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 via Zoom 2:00-3:30pm
Cost: FREE
Many conserved lands across the country need ecological restoration, and your organization may be well-poised to get started on these projects. It can be tempting to jump right in, but restoration work involves complex planning, permitting and implementation. The path from project design to execution can have multiple phases, timelines and partners. Whether you want to improve backyards, forests, meadows, wetlands or other critical land, it helps to understand the overall process and get some insight from experienced professionals. Please join Michael Cavanagh and Caitrin Higgins, ecological restoration designers with Bartlett Tree Experts, for a webinar to introduce the ecological restoration design process.
Learn more and register at LTA’s website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are Websites the Next Payphones?
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 via Zoom
1:00pm
Cost: FREE
When was the last time you actually read a website and when was the last time someone mentioned they read your website? As users increasingly seek immediate answers, time spent browsing is plummeting and the nature of websites is changing dramatically. With tech companies barreling towards a future none of us want, it begs the question—are websites at risk becoming altogether obsolete? Explore these issues and more at this complimentary lunch & learn. Bold Bison’s Digital Media Producer Mitch Sloan will provide a high-level overview of effective web management strategies, as well as the tools to future-proof your web presence and help you build a site your users return to regularly.
Click here to register.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, Your ArcGIS License Can Do That
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 via Zoom
2:00-3:30pm
Cost: FREE
GIS has become an integral part of land conservation, providing a key method to organize and present geospatial data. Whether your organization currently has an ArcGIS license or is considering one, you probably want to know how to make the most out of the product. What features will best support your land management, landscape conservation and community-based conservation work? Join Ariana Kim, conservation and nonprofit account manager for Esri, to explore the full power of an ArcGIS license. In this session, she will cover:
Learn more and register on LTA’s website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tips from Terrafirma
|
|
|
Thursday, November 20, 2025 via Zoom 3:00-4:00pm
Cost: FREE
Bring your questions and suggestions about conservation challenges, the Terrafirma Risk Retention Group or anything else regarding lasting conservation for your preserves, trails and conservation easements. Leslie Ratley-Beach, conservation defense director at the Land Trust Alliance and vice president of Alliance Risk Management Services (manager of Terrafirma) will review trends from over 3,400 claims submitted over the past thirteen years of Terrafirma conservation defense liability insurance and respond to your comments. This is an opportunity for discussion about how to enhance our collective response to challenges.
Learn more and register at LTA’s website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maine Philanthropy Center Monthly Grant Research Tutorials
|
|
|
Thursday, November 13, 2025 via Zoom Register here 11:00am-12:15pm
Thursday, December 11, 2025 via Zoom Register here
1:00-2:15pm
Cost: FREE
If you are new to grant research, new to Maine Philanthropy Center’s research databases, or just want expand your research prowess, you are invited to attend one of their monthly tutorials. These interactive classes are designed to familiarize you with the landscape of foundation giving in Maine and walk you through the basics of researching high-quality prospective funders for your work. Instructors cover the usage of two research tools vital for your grantseeking toolkit: Maine Philanthropy Center’s Directory of Maine Grantmakers and Candid’s Foundation Directory Online. Virtual tutorial registrants will receive day-long access to the online Directory of Maine Grantmakers in order to follow along during the tutorial and continue conducting research during the rest of the day.
Learn more by clicking on the registration links above.
|