UPDATE! March 28, 2002

Greetings Conservation Partners, Collaborators, and Friends

1. Conservation Planning

Regionwide Conservation Planning for Southern Maine

Several discussions have occurred at different meetings over the past 6 months or so about the need for a conservation plan that encompasses all of Southern Maine - south of Portland to the NH boarder. The planning would try and prioritize conservation projects region wide to maximize the use of effort and funds toward the most productive goals. It could combine many current larger scale projects (Mt A, York River, Little River, Kennebunk Plains, Nonesuch River, Waterboro Barrens, Leavitt Plantation) into an over all plan with the goal of attracting additional resources and conservation funds. This is a big project in itself and would involve many organizations and agencies. We would be interested to hear any comments on the idea from the larger conservation audience on this list. Email Tin Smith.

2. GIS Mapping

No report.

3. Training and Support

Strengthening Environmental Group Process

. . . a one day program supporting conservation and monitoring groups to provide them with tools and strategies to meet the organizational and human challenges of working together on environmental issues. Theme areas include: Building an Effective Team, Group Development, and Fundraising. The $25 registration fee includes lunch, copy of 200 page Environmental Stewardship in the Gulf of Maine: A Coordinators Manual, and handouts. Registration is limited and due by April 5th. For a complete program schedule or registration form contact Sarah Gladu 832-0343 or visit the website.

Maine Land Trust Conference

. . . organized by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust on May 3rd and 4th at Brunswick High School. An outstanding informational / educational event - urge your members to attend, arrange for car pooling, offer to pay the registration fee if possible.. Details should be in the mail and on their website soon. www.mcht.org

Monitoring Training

. . . June 12th and 15th, Wells Reserve. Monitoring of conservation lands both fee and easements is becoming a larger task as land trusts and conservation commissions become increasingly successful. This training is an opportunity for conservation organizations to increase the capacity of volunteers---both board members and others---to carry out the monitoring of conservation properties. The Wednesday evening session on June 12th will go from 6:30-8:30 at the Wells Reserve followed by a field session on Saturday morning at several locatons around York County. The training is being planned by the York Land Trust, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Great Works Regional Land Trust and the Wells Reserve. Additional details will come later. Each land trust and conservation commission can take advantage of this training by recruiting their own volunteers and arrange for a Saturday field session in their community if they want---or they can join another site. Contact Tin Smith.

4. Resource Information

Eastern Trail Association Annual meeting

ETA is dedicated toward establishing a hiking or biking - mostly through off-road woodland trails from Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Bug Light Park on Casco Bay in South Portland. Their annual meeting will be on afternoon of Thursday May 2 to visit the new ETA office for the ETA Annual Meeting. The meeting will begin with a 5:30 PM office tour on the 2nd floor at 146 Main St., Saco. More details will be posted on the Web page and included. Activities will include an early afternoon on-road ET bike ride that may include Amtrak as part of a loop ride. See the Eastern Trail website.

Farmland Protection Plan (from MLTN info line)

State Conservationist Bill Yarmartino (USDA NRCS office, Bangor) is working in cooperation with the State Technical Committee and Maine Dept. of Agriculture staff person Stephanie Gilbert to prepare a "State FPP Plan". This plan is required for eligibility for anticipated federal funding for farmland protection (primarily as matching funds for purchase of development rights projects.) Federal funding is used as part of the match in Land for Maine's Future farmland projects, and is also available to land trusts separately (i.e., without going through the state). Any land trusts considering farmland protection projects for the years 2002 - 2003 should contact Stephanie to find out more, and to obtain a questionaire/outline for submitting information about your anticipated projects. 287-7520 or email her at Stephanie Gilbert.

5. Communication and Outreach

Exhibit space is available at the Maine Land Trust Conference on Saturday, May 4th at Brunswick High School. The cost is $10 plus a $35 registration for one person for MLTN members ($10 and a $45 registration fee for non-members) for non-profit groups. Fee includes a 6 foot table, opportunity to attend workshops/training, and lunch. It is a chance to show what your organization is doing to over 250 conservation specialists. Contact Maine Coast Heritage Trust at 729-6863 for an registration form due by April 12th.

Back to Coastal Mosaic Project main page.