MLTN Infoline – October 31, 2022
Partnership Opportunities for Land Trusts | |
Is your organization looking for some extra help? Do you have a special project that requires a bit more capacity than you can muster? Would you like help nurture the next generation of land conservationists? Then you may want to consider one of these partnership opportunities! The Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation Internship Program at Maine Coast Heritage Trust was started to engage Maine college-aged people and develop their skills and knowledge of land conservation, especially stewardship of the land. The program introduces students to land trusts and how they operate, and helps them develop a passion for the work. The interns in turn help participating land trusts with their workload. Applications from organizations that would like to host an intern in 2023 are due November 30th. More information at MCHT’s website and register for the zoom info session Nov 4th at noontime. For over 39 years, Maine Conservation Corps has been sending individuals and teams into communities to accomplish conservation initiatives, while fostering their personal development as well as local volunteerism. Field Teams and Environmental Stewards can build your organizational capacity and realize your environmental visions. MCC is also currently accepting applications for 2023 and 2024 Field Teams. Apply soon! Applications are due November 4th, 2022. For more information, click here. Partner up for conservation! Whit, Jeff, and Donna | |
MLTN Regional Meetings | |
Each fall, the Maine Land Trust Network coordinates meetings in five regions of the state: Downeast, Penobscot Bay, Midcoast, South, and West/Inland. The meetings are free and open to all. They are casual gatherings where land trusts and their partners can connect, share stories, and discuss issues of common interest. We’ve now scheduled three of these meetings.
If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to . For now we hope to hold these as in-person meetings but we will keep them flexible and will adjust for current circumstances. Once the Midcoast and West/Inland meetings are scheduled, they will be added to the MLTN events page. We hope to see you there! | |
Project Learning Tree Green Mentor Program | |
Deadline to apply: November 21. 2022 Mentorship is an important way to foster and inspire the next generation of forest and conservation leaders and build a diverse and resilient Green Jobs workforce. It can also help reduce barriers to landing a green job by providing access to insider tips, helping participants grow professional networks, and by increasing the confidence of mentees and mentors alike. Project Learning Tree’s Green Mentor program connects young adults with forest and conservation professionals. It involves meeting (in person or virtually) two or three hours a month between February and July 2023. Mentees can expand their Green Jobs knowledge, goals, and network. Mentors can inspire the next generation of leaders, recruit employees, and gain new perspectives. Mentors must have 3+ years of professional experience within any operation in the forest and conservation sector and be living in the US. To learn more, visit the Green Mentor Program website. If you have any questions, please contact . | |
Requirements Manual Public Comment Period | |
Open Until November 10 Each year the Land Trust Accreditation Commission assesses whether the accreditation requirements are current and up-to-date with the issues that shape the land trust community. After thoughtful consideration and review of the comments collected to date, the Commission is proposing a material change to four requirements. The land trust community is encouraged to provide feedback on these changes using an anonymous questionnaire. The public comment period is open through November 10. Your comments will help inform the final version of the Requirements Manual that will be published in spring 2023. Learn more about the proposed changes and access the questionnaire here. | |
Forest Carbon Offsets: The Science Practices, Benefits, and Challenges | |
Thursday, November 3, 2022 11:00am-12:00pm 7 Lakes Alliance’s Headquarters, Belgrade Lakes This will be an in-person roundtable but will also be live-streamed. Complimentary lunch & networking following the presentation. The Maine Woods Forever Roundtable is pleased to host this panel discussion. Mark Berry of The Nature Conservancy and Ethel Wilkerson of Spatial Informatics Group will share their expertise and ideas on this intriguing new tool for the forest conservation movement. PLEASE NOTE – Online registration link is to register for the on-line webinar only. Click here to register for the online presentation only. If you plan to attend in-person and stay for lunch, please RSVP via email. | |
Remote Monitoring Technology Advancements | |
Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 2:00-3:00pm Cost: FREE Andy Carroll, a leading expert in remote technology, will present a webinar hosted by Land Trust Alliance for a deeper dive into this field. He will discuss expected advancements and applications in remote technologies for annual monitoring, restoration monitoring, climate change and other purposes, taking participants beyond the basics. Thanks to support from the Riverview Foundation, there is no cost for this webinar. Register at the Land Trust Alliance website. | |
Advanced Risk Management: Great Land Trust Case Study | |
Thursday, November 10th, 2022 3:00-4:00pm Cost: FREE Great Land Trust is committed to dedicated stewardship of the land they have conserved. So when they found a major encroachment with serious damage on a conserved property, they knew they had to act. The land trust has Terrafirma coverage, so GLT was equipped with the legal and financial resources they needed to file suit against the third party trespasser and reach a settlement at mediation that allowed them to recoup all legal costs and start restoring the protected property. Join Jonathon Katcher, the attorney who represented Great Land Trust, and Ellen Kazary, executive director at Great Land Trust, for an in-depth discussion of issues, strategy and what a land trust can do to ensure you prevail. Visit the Land Trust Alliance website to register. | |
It Takes a Team: Mobilize Board + Staff to Raise More Money | |
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 9:00am-4:00pm Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport Cost: MANP members* $150, nonmembers $190 $25 off additional registrations from the same org (applies to members and nonmembers) Scholarships available for members How effective is your fundraising team? Do you consider your board as part of that team? Does everyone feel confident in knowing their role and duties? Moreover, does your organization have “a culture of fundraising” – and how would you know? Join this hands-on workshop that will explore these questions and help get everyone on the same page around your fundraising strategy. You’ll leave with several practical and specific ideas for increasing your team’s involvement and effectiveness that will ultimately equip you to raise more money for your mission. Learn more and register at MANP’s website. *Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check on your MLTN member status. | |
Did You Know? MCHT Revolving Loan Fund | |
In keeping with its long tradition of working in partnership with public and private entities throughout the state, Maine Coast Heritage Trust offers conservation partners access to its Revolving Loan Fund. As the name implies, monies are intended to revolve out of the Fund in the form of short-term loans to qualified entities acquiring land for permanent conservation. MCHT gives primary consideration to members of the Maine Land Trust Network for use of this fund. Revolving Fund loans are interest-bearing loans typically made for one year or less and are offered at one point below the current prime lending rate. While the process is as detailed as a bank’s, MCHT does try to work creatively with land trusts on good projects to help make them happen. The application process can take as long as 4 to 6 weeks, so get in touch as soon as possible if you think you might need a loan. For more information, visit the MLTN website’s Funding page. Questions may be directed to Warren Whitney. | |
Jobs in the Conservation Sector | |
Interesting new positions have been added to our jobs page in just the past ten days. Check out the latest additions here or view the full list. Forest Carbon Specialist (Senior Planner) – Maine Forest Service Executive Director – Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation District Program Officer – Maine Community Foundation Land Conservation Projects Manager – The Nature Conservancy Forest Programs Manager – Maine TREE Foundation |