MCHT Invites Land Trusts to Apply to Host a Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation Intern in Summer 2022
MCHT’s internship program was begun with the goal to engage Maine college-aged people in the land conservation world and develop their skills and knowledge of land conservation in Maine. With a focus on stewardship of the land, these interns also help participating land trusts with their workload. The paid summer internship program provides opportunities to underserved Maine college-age people pursuing undergraduate, certificate, or associate degrees. We define “underserved” as students who don’t have opportunities equivalent to those offered students at more highly resourced colleges. Click here for the program overview.
We’ll host a Zoom information session on Wednesday, November 3rd, at 2:00pm. Anyone interested in the program this year, including those who have hosted in the past, is welcome to attend. There is no cost but pre-registration is required. Click here to sign up.
Help train the next generation of conservationists!
The Maine State Museum is reaching out to members of the Maine Land Trust Network to get input on the stories and broader themes that resonate with and reflect the many voices, interests, and identities of the people of Maine. These Listening Tour events are virtual, facilitated conversations with different communities across Maine. Participants will be asked to respond to five questions, and their responses will inform the museum’s ongoing work. No prior knowledge of the museum or state history is required, the museum wants to learn from peoples’ personal experience!
Advance registration is required for this free event. Click to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Land Justice: The Heart of Resilient Regions and Communities
Thursday, November 18th, 2021
9:00am-3:00pm
Attend this year’s RCP Network Gathering to hear real-world examples and share ideas of how Land Justice and collaborative conservation can be locally driven, replicated, and scaled-up to create stronger, more equitable, and resilient communities and regions. The Gathering will feature a keynote speaker, breakout sessions to connect with peers, and two moderated panel sessions with discussions following. While the event has been designed to engage participants from beginning to end, they’ve also built in flexibility to accommodate the competing demands on your time. You are encouraged to participate at whatever level and degree you can. Come for just one session or all. Watch and listen or actively participate before, during, and/or after.
Each year, MLTN gathers land trusts and their partners together in different regions of the state to connect and discuss issues of common interest. We have now scheduled our Midcoast Regional meeting for December 6th, 1-3pm. For details on all the regional meetings, visit the Upcoming Events page of the MLTN website. If you’d like to attend, email us and specify which regional meeting you’d like to attend.
Fortifying the Board-Executive Director Partnership
Wednesday, October 27th, 2021
1:00-2:30pm
Cost: $49 for members*; $69 for nonmembers
Registering and attending as a team or in teams is highly encouraged for maximum benefit
In today’s complex world, it is paramount for Board Leaders and the Executive Director to work in alignment and respect the division of labor between governing and managing. Yet these relationships are often challenged by differing understanding of roles, leadership turnover, personalities, and a lack of good communication. Too often we are content to accept an “ok” relationship rather than investing the time to build a stronger partnership that will advance the mission and strengthen the organization. It’s time to make this a priority.
In this interactive session, you will learn:
Key elements and proven outcomes of a constructive partnership
How to move from a good relationship to a great relationship
The importance of this relationship to overall Board-staff relations
How to disagree and still serve as a strong leadership team
The integral connection between the Board Chair-Executive Director partnership and Board culture
Visit MANP’s website for details and registration.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact us to check on your MLTN membership status.
Native Plant Trust Climate Resilience Symposium
Friday, October 29th, 2021
1:00-4:00pm
Cost: $45 for members; $54 for non-members
Join Native Plant Trust for a symposium on the changing climate and New England’s native plants, featuring the region’s prominent conservationists and environmentalists. The symposium includes a keynote lecture, a workshop, and a panel discussion. Current climate change patterns and their implications for the future of the region’s plant life; key factors for building climate resilience; and how key players can make resilience possible, will all be examined. Reserve your spot at NativePlantTrust.org and keep checking the website for the most up-to-date details.
How to Create Awesome Donation Pages
Thursday, November 4th, 2021
2:00–3:00pm
Cost: $70 for LTA members; $100 for nonmembers
You’ve probably heard the phrase: Meet people where they are. The same is true for your organization’s key supporters and donors. In 2020 alone, online giving grew by 21%, making it more crucial than ever to ensure your organization is set up for success when it comes to making a gift online. One important step you can take to grow your online revenue is to optimize your donation page. Join digital communications strategist and fundraising specialist Lizzie Russell, Streetlight Digital, as she lays out how to transform your website into a powerhouse fundraising tool.
Visit the Land Trust Alliance website for details and registration link.
Successful Executive Director Transitions
Tuesday, November 9th, 2021
2:00-3:30pm
Cost: $70 for LTA members, $100 for non-members
Is your land trust prepared for a planned or unplanned leadership transition? The Chinese character for “crisis” combines the characters for “danger” and “opportunity.” This is a fitting image for the transition of an organization when its executive director departs. While crisis is optional, every transition does indeed pose both dangers and opportunities. If these are acknowledged and embraced, transition can be a valuable time of reflection and growth. If they are resisted, the transition can be both painful and damaging. Join long-time nonprofit organizational expert Jim Morris, Solid Ground, as he covers how you can prepare with some very simple steps. Here’s what Jim will cover:
Creating an emergency succession plan;
Building a sustainable leadership team;
Preparing your board for the transition;
Sustaining and strengthening organizational culture during a transition; and
Creating and maintaining organizational records and documents in advance of a leadership transition.
Click here to learn more and register.
Finance Unlocked for Nonprofit Boards
Thursday, December 2nd, 2021
1:00-2:30pm
Cost: $45 for members*, $65 for non-members
$25 off these rates for each additional person from your organization
What happens when you bring a storyteller and nonprofit accountant together to address nonprofit financial literacy? Finance Unlocked for Nonprofits (FUN) represents a departure from existing finance trainings. FUN relates nonprofit finance through BINGO cards, short videos, and supporting informational kits.
In addition to covering the why, what, who, and how of nonprofit finance, the presenter will dig deeper into two key reports – Balance Sheets and Income Statements – and then cover what board members need to know about IRS Form 990, the intersection of finance and fundraising, and oversight. Healthy finance practice can be habit-forming when people are working within their comfort zones, so we will discuss how to get your organization there.
Participants will be invited to stay for an optional 30-minute Q + A session with CPAs immediately following the presentation.
Visit MANP’s website for more information and to register.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact us to check on your MLTN membership status.
Farmland Protection Funding is Back at the State of Maine
As part of the Legislature’s 2021 appropriations process, $4 million has been allocated to help land trusts and local partners protect working farms and farmland around the state over the next four years. The Working Farmland Access and Protection Program works within the existing Land for Maine’s Future infrastructure but has a slightly different application process and more ag-specific goals and objectives than the State’s primary conservation tools. In advance of the WFAPP rollout in January of 2022, Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry staff are looking to connect with land trusts and conservation organizations that have farmland protection projects and ideas! Please connect with DACF through this (impossibly short and simple) survey or reach out directly to Alex Redfield, Farm Viability and Farmland Protection Specialist at DACF if you have aspirations to protect a cherished agricultural space near you. Alex can be reached at or (207)592-0640.
Jobs in the Conservation Sector
Here are the newest job postings since our last newsletter. Click here for full list.
Director of Properties and Facilities – Maine Audubon
Program Manager – Sebago Clean Waters
Interpretive Specialist – Baxter State Park
MDI Regional Steward – Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Communications Specialist – Maine Coast Heritage Trust
