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September 2020 | Land Trust eNews
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Maryland Environmental Trust Spotlight |
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Mark Your Calendars!
Applications will be accepted online for the next round of Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants from October 1, 2019 through November 14, 2019. Four different grants are being offered to help volunteer and nonprofit groups, communities, and Maryland land trusts. For more information on how to apply visit the grant application page.
The Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program is Maryland Environmental's Trust oldest program. Over the years, the program has expanded thanks to a robust partnership between the Maryland Environmental Trust, Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Forever Maryland Foundation. Combined, this partnership has provided more than a million dollars over the past two decades to nonprofits, schools and local land trusts that work to protect natural resources while enhancing the lives of Maryland citizens and generations to come. To learn more about the Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program visit the grant page.
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 Largest Easement Settles in Somerset County
As they say, patience is a virtue and persistence pays off. Kate Patton, Executive Director of the Lower Shore Land Trust, began working on a large conservation project in Somerset County nearly a decade ago with landowner Larry Leese. Thanks to her hard work and Larry’s unwavering patience, over 1066 acres has been permanently protected. On July 9th, the Lower Shore Land Trust and the Maryland Environmental Trust finalized a conservation easement funded through a grant secured by Ducks Unlimited from the North American Wetland Conservation to protect habitat for the American black duck.
 Historic Community Remains Strong in the Modern Era
NeigborSpace of Baltimore County knew that Turner Station had a long and storied history; this was one of the main attractions to taking on a site in the community. NeighborSpace knew this was a community with a lot of pride, a lot of heart and strong leadership. What NeighborSpace was unsure of was how to incorporate NeighborSpace and this new property into what Turner Station is, was and will be…. The lot NeighborSpace took on is at the very northern edge of the community in the quadrant of Turner Station which has many of the community's older and more historic homes. It is also the only green space in the area, with Turner Station’s other parks, Turner Station Park and Fleming Park, being located much further to the south on the waterfront.
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River Rally 2020
September 4 - September 27, 2020
Join Lower Shore Land Trust as they celebrate 30 years for their first-ever VIRTUAL 30 miles on the water and on the trails for River Rally 2020! Together we can raise funds to conserve and restore wildlife habitat, protect working lands and build a resilient Lower Shore today and for the next generation. Learn more.
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Parkers Creek Challenge 2020
September 26, 2020
Are you ready to take on the Challenge? Join American Chestnut Land Trust for their 2020 triathlon - bike, run and paddle. Only 75 participants can be accommodated in this event so sign up ASAP! Learn more.
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Green Neighborhood Challenge 2020
Now through September 28, 2020
Help NeighborSpace of Baltimore County secure 300 response by National Good Neighbor Day on September 28 by completing the Green Neighborhood Challenge Survey. The Green Neighborhood Challenge is to collect more data on (1) where parks, gardens, and trails are lacking; and (2) what kinds of open space, amenities, and programming are of greatest interest, especially to those living in the densely developed areas inside the URDL. Learn more.
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2020 Walk & Ride for the Woods
October 1 - October 31, 2020
Scenic Rivers is challenging the Anne Arundel County community to get out and enjoy the natural and scenic spaces of our beautiful county—by walking, running, or biking. This unique, reimagined community event and fundraiser will take place throughout the month of October 2020 and will be a combination of virtual and self-guided activities, with opportunities to fundraise via walking, running, and biking challenges. Learn more.
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Explore the Gunpowder Watershed Challenge
October 1 - October 31, 2020
Gunpowder Valley Conservancy hosts the first annual Explore the Gunpowder Watershed Challenge, a crowdfunding campaign to encourage people to spend time outdoors, on trails or in neighborhoods, while helping to raise $10,000 for the GVC. To sign up for the Watershed Challenge or to learn more visit the event page.
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2020 Harford Harvest
October 1 - October 31, 2020
Harford Land Trust announces Harford Harvest, a month-long online giving campaign to support farmland preservation and address hunger in our community. 50% of all Harford Harvest donations will be distributed to over 100 Harford County food pantries through our partnership with the Harford Community Action Agency and Mason-Dixon Community Services to meet the immediate and increased emergency food needs of families throughout the county. The remaining 50% of funds will be used to support Harford Land Trust's work to expand the preservation of productive farmland, priority forests, and other important natural resources throughout Harford County. Look out for more information at www.harfordlandtrust.org.
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Grants, Jobs and Other Opportunities |
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Champions of the Chesapeake
Now - September 26
Everyday, people are making a measurable difference in their own backyard. Whether they are incorporating environmental practices into their everyday routine, working in the conservation field, or just starting out in their career, we want to highlight them! Learn more.
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Maryland Preservation Award
Now - September 30
These annual Awards, presented annually by the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Historical Trust, are the highest level of recognition for historic preservation, heritage education and community development projects in Maryland Learn more.
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Capacity Building Initiative Grant
Now - November 12
Through this grant program the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network seek to support the internal capacity of natural resource related nonprofit organizations working in the Chesapeake, Coastal Bays, and Youghiogheny watersheds. Learn more.
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Director of Finance, River Network
Deadline: October 16
The River Network seeks a dedicated and organized finance professional to oversee its finance, accounting, employee benefits, and information technology operations. Learn more.
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Maryland Executive Director, CBF
Deadline: September 30
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Maryland Executive Director to be based at its Philip Merrill Environmental Center headquarters located in Annapolis, MD. Learn more.
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Senior Planner, M-NCPPC
Deadline: September 30
The Prince George’s County Planning Department of the M-NCPPC seeks a Senior Planner with a background in environmental planning. Learn more.
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Forever Maryland Appoints First President
The Forever Maryland Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Wendy Stringfellow as its President. Read more.
Update Regarding Maryland’s Opportunities for Outdoor Recreation
Visit DNR's website for the latest update regarding Maryland's opportunities for outdoor recreation to follow guidelines on the safe enjoyment of our natural resources. Read more.
EPA Announces $18 Million for Chesapeake Bay Watershed Projects
The grants were awarded through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship fund, and with nearly $19 million in matching funds, the total impact rises to greater than $36 million. Read more.
An Indigenous Tribe Conserves Its Ancestral Landscapes
For thousands of years, the Piscataway people thrived along the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Read more.
‘Real talk’ With Two Environmental Justice Leaders
Fix hosted an Instagram Live conversation between two leaders in the fight for climate justice: Yudith Nieto and Mustafa Santiago Ali. Read more.
Two-Year Milestones: Mapping the Way to Clean Water
States and local jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are working toward water quality goals for the Bay and its rivers. Read more.
Rain Happens. It’s What We Do Next That Matters
Stormwater runs off land from sheet flow and also is conveyed through 38,007 county storm drain inlets, 985 miles of pipes, and 6,188 outfalls. Read more.
Passage Of Key Measures For Chesapeake Bay
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, praised the passage of a bipartisan package of wildlife conservation legislation. Read more.
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Online Learning Opportunities |
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15th Annual Grants Training Seminar: Nonprofit Roadmap to Success
September 25 | Free webinar
In this informative seminar, learn how to organize your nonprofit business for funding readiness; establish a business development strategy; establish a framework for funding; and, understand grant prospecting, writing, and funding. Learn more.
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Getting Started with Community Heart & Soul Virtual Workshop Series
Starts September 29 | Free workshop
This five-part series will prepare participants to get started with Community Heart & Soul, a proven model for community development based on what matters most. This unique model brings people together to build stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant small cities and towns. Learn more.
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An Afternoon With Dr. J. Drew Lanham
October 2 | Free event
Virginia Conservation Network welcomes Dr. J Drew Lanham, an ornithologist, conservationist, and distinguished professor at Clemson University. A native of Edgefield, South Carolina, J. Drew Lanham is the author of The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature. Learn more.
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Land Trust Alliance Rally 2020
October 6-8 | Registration fee
The Land Trust Alliance is pleased to host the first-ever virtual National Land Conservation Conference, offering an interactive, cost-effective and rewarding opportunity for any member of the conservation community to participate. Gather virtually with thousands who share your passion for conservation to get re-energized and inspired. Learn more.
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Selecting a Donor Management System
October 8-29 | Free thanks to support
For most nonprofits, their donor management system is the glue that holds their organization together. Having one means being able to track donors, learn about how they interact with your organization, and take steps to strengthen those relationships. Whether you’re actively shopping for a new system or considering whether it’s time to change, this course can help you learn about your options and narrow your list to a handful of systems that offer the features and functionality you need within a budget you can afford. Learn more.
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Chesapeake Watershed Forum
October 29 – 30 | Registration fee
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s 15th Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum (to be held online October 29 – 30) is a watershed-wide event reaching over 400 restoration and protection practitioners to inspire and empower local action towards clean water. We share successful tools and techniques, offer lessons and learnings from on-the-ground work, build capacities of local organizations, foster partnerships, educate on new initiatives and emerging practices, network among each other, and celebrate our successes. Learn more.
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Forest Health Tools – Advisory GIS Mapping
November 4 | Free webinar
Join Frank Krist and William Monahan from US Forest Service for the National Park Service's next Connected Conservation webinar. This monthly webinar series highlights specific tools that a park, NPS program, or an external partner might use to further landscape-scale conservation. These are open to all partners and the public. Learn more.
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37th Annual Maryland Planning Commissioners Association Conference
November 9
The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association Conference offers Planning Commissioners, Board of Appeals members, and anyone interested in citizen planning an opportunity to learn, share experiences, and exchange ideas. This year’s conference will be digital and hosted in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Planning. Learn more.
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Collaborative Program by UMCES and ShoreRivers Expands Environmental Education on the Eastern Shore
CShoreRivers partnered with UMCES’s Horn Point Laboratory to create a professional development workshop aimed at growing environmental education. Read more.
Bringing the Bay Home: Outdoor Education, Oyster Filtration, and a Backyard Report Card
September means back to school. And while things may look different this year, CBF’s Education team is excited to keep students learning the best way we know. Read more.
State-by-State Forest Factsheets At Your Fingertips
The Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program of the U.S. Forest Service provides the information needed to assess America's forests. Learn more.
Announcing New Invasive Plant Fact Sheets Series
With recent efforts to combat invasive plants in woodlands, Penn State Extension has released new resources to help with identification and control. Learn more.
Check Your Mailbox: Mail-In Ballot Applications Are on the Way
The Maryland State Board of Elections yesterday announced that all eligible voters were sent a mail-in ballot application for the November 3 general election. Read more.
Maryland Launches Statewide Text-to-911 Service
Effective Thursday, August 20, 9-1-1 call centers across Maryland will begin accepting text messages via text-to-911 service. Read more.
The NEW Census Deadline is September 30
The date for self-response to the 2020 Census is September 30 after the US Census Bureau moved up the date this week by more than a month. The Census can still be completed online, by phone, or by mail. Click here to fill out your Census now. Learn more.
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Share Your News
If you would like to share relevant conservation news, success stories, announcements or events with Maryland's land trusts and conservation partners through this publication, please contact Michelle Grafton by the first of each month at michelle.grafton@maryland.gov.
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