January 28, 2004

Welcome to the Watershed Conservation Update, a periodic electronic newsletter from the Wells Reserve about conserving land and water resources in Southern Maine.

Conservation Planning

The Maine Farmland Trust is available to help any land trust or farmer in developing conservation plans and options for farms. The Trust has experience dealing with farm families and the state and federal programs for purchasing developing rights. They can help you make a quick assessment whether a project is likely to qualify for funding. Contact LouAnna Perkins either by email or phone at 469-6465. If you are interested in how it works for a local conservation organization contact Doreen MacGillis of the York Land Trust or Jean Demetracopoulos of the Great Works Regional Land Trust as both are working on farmland protection projects.

Training and Support

University of Southern Maine is offering a number of courses aimed at non-profits this winter including "So You Want to Hold a Fund Raising Auction" on February 5, "Introduction to Grant Writing" on February 24, "Grant Research Online" on February 25, "Managing Development Functions" on February 26, and "Nonprofit Management Primer" on March 9. Each class is day long and costs between $95-$110, for more information visit their website www.usm.edu/cce.

LTA Rally comes to New England, October 28-31, 2004, in Providence, Rhode Island. Join 1,700 of America's conservation leaders at the world's premier gathering of land trust professionals, volunteers, board members, public agency staff, attorneys and others devoted to land conservation for the 17th Land Trust Alliance Rally.The Rally brings land conservationists together to learn about land protection tools and the issues vital to land trusts, the most current information on significant projects and partnerships, legal and legislative developments and new perspectives on land trust work. Check LTA's website for more information and periodic updates. Watch for the Rally Registration Brochure, which will be available in early June. This represents an outstanding educational opportunity and experience for conservation activists in southern Maine.

Resource Information

Identifying Fish of the Gulf of Maine, Tuesday, February 3, 2004 7-9 PM at the Mather Auditorium Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. Underwater photographer, videographer, and Regional Coordinator of the Gulf of Maine Fish ID Program, Bob Michelson will help attendees identify common fish of our near shore and estuary waters. Reservations are requested in order to receive printed materials. Call Dawn Morse at 646-1555 x 117. Snow date February 5.

Ribbons of Green; Strategies for Community Based Restoration of Coastal Wetlands is a day long series of workshops at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve on March 3, 2004 for municipal officials, managers and planners; public works directors; conservation commissioners; land trust members; natural resource professionals; and community members concerned about the health of coastal habitats now and for future generations
   Day Workshop 10 am - 3 pm ($8 fee includes lunch) This workshop is designed for everyone interested in learning how to protect and restore coastal wetlands. The workshop is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop wetland restoration projects in their communities. Experts knowledgeable about wetland restoration will provide training about how to identify and prioritize potential restoration sites, ways to design (and potentially fund) highway and culvert projects to meet maintenance and safety needs and improve the health of degraded wetlands. The workshop will also include how to decide on the best restoration technique to use where to apply for grants to fund projects
   Wetland Restoration Clinic 3 - 5 pm (free to attendees of Day Workshop) An optional Wetland Restoration Clinic will be offered from 3 - 5pm. During the clinic, workshop participants who have completed the Day Workshop can meet one-on-one with salt marsh restoration professionals to discuss project ideas, work on grant application proposals or ask specific questions about restoration projects.
   Evening Workshop 5:30 - 8:30 pm (Free, a minimum of 15 registrants is required) An abbreviated version of the Day Workshop will be presented in the evening for those unable to attend the daytime meeting. This workshop will have less emphasis on highway projects, but will include how to identify potential project sites, restoration techniques and funding of restoration projects.
   Wetland Assessment (free) Residents of York and southern Cumberland counties registering for the Day Workshop before February 17th may nominate their communities for an on-site assessment of coastal wetlands to be conducted by University of New England on February 18th. You do not have to be present on the day of the assessment. You will be contacted by phone if your community is selected.
   Registration is required. Contact Dawn Morse at 207.646.1555 x 117 or Chris Feurt x 111.

Communication and Outreach

2004 Land for Maine's Future Bond In his state of the state address Governor Baldacci announced "Along with reducing energy consumption, we need to continue land preservation to keep our natural heritage. I’ll submit a bond request that lives up to my commitment to provide $100 million for Land For Maine’s Future program to be implemented over 5 years. This program has protected special places in all of Maine’s 16 counties including 115 projects covering 192,000 acres." The bond proposal, if passed by the legislature will be on the November ballot. To date 160 organizations and business have signed on in support of the proposal. If you are interested in receiving periodic updates from the Land Bond Coalition please contact Campaign Coordinator, Jeff Romano, at (207) 729-5182 x 218 or jromano@tnc.org.

A reminder about the Maine Land Trust Network Forum list serve for accessing the collective knowledge and experience of Maine's Land Trust community. Recent postings have dealt with legalities surrounding access to "landlocked" parcels, merits of term limits for board members, and easement templates. To subscribe or unsubscribe go to the MLTN web page and click on the email Forum.

Partner Events / News

Land for Maine's Future Program supports three Southern Maine projects. LMF Board announced on Tuesday (January 27) the awarding of $12 million in grants including support for three York County Projects. Funds were awarded for buying development rights from two working farms. One for 359 acres of the Hanson Farm in Sanford (MacDougall Orchards) and the other for 83 acres of Lover's Brook Farm in Berwick and South Berwick submitted by the Great Works Regional Land Trust. The Wells Conservation Commission also received a grant for land purchases to add to both their Fenderson Commons and Wells Heath conservation areas. Congratulations to all involved!

On January 26, the Kittery Land Trust and the Town of Kittery completed the conservation of the 22 acre "Whitten parcel" with the Trust taking ownership in a deal with the town. The property was scheduled to be auctioned off when the Land Trust became aware of its location within the largest unfragmented block of forest remaining in the town. This unfragmented block had also been identified as containing rare and endangered species by the Beginning with Habitat project (data from Maine Dept of Inland Fish and Wildlife and Maine Natural Areas Program). By bringing information to the attention of the Selectman the Trust was able to have the parcel withdrawn from public auction and acquired for the cost of back taxes and the penalty due. The Land Trust plans to continue the relationship with the town and review all tax acquired parcels for potential value as community conservation land. For additional information contact Kittery Land Trust.

Laudholm Trust seeks a President. The Trust is a member-supported private nonprofit organization located in Wells, Maine, will soon welcome a new President. The Trust increases public awareness of coastal watersheds and builds community support for their protection. The President is responsible for strategic planning, community building, budgeting, and fund raising. The President serves as spokesperson, oversees a professional staff of four, and provides leadership and direction to the Trust's close partner organization, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. The President reports to and works closely with Laudholm's 12-member Board of Trustees.
   Candidates must have a BA or BS and at least 2 years experience in a leadership or development position, preferably in the nonprofit sector. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to environmental conservation, the ability to personally connect with diverse individuals, and a readiness to join a tight-knit community of staff and volunteers.
   For more information visit the Laudholm Trust website No phone calls or email queries, please. Resumes should be sent as soon as possible to: Laudholm Trust, Attn: Search Committee, PO Box 1007, Wells ME 04090.

Background

The Watershed Conservation Update is distributed by the Stewardship Department at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve to provide timely, pertinent, and concise information and resources to volunteers and professionals working on watershed conservation issues in Southern Maine and nearby New Hampshire. The Wells NERR Stewardship Department supports community efforts to conserve natural resources by 1) facilitating collaborations for regional conservation planning, 2) providing access to natural resource information, 3) offering GIS mapping services, 4) promoting training opportunities, 5) providing outreach and communication services and 6) publicizing conservation related events and successes.

For more information or comments contact Tin Smith, visit our website at wellsreserve.org, or call 646-1555 x119.

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