Land Trust eNews: January 2021

Maryland Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 01/21/2021 04:14 PM EST

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Monthly News & Updates

January 2021 | Land Trust eNews

Maryland Environmental Trust Spotlight

MET Updates Cooperative Agreement

The Cooperative Agreement sets out the relationship with Maryland Environmental Trust and a land trust organization to clarify roles and establish common understanding. The purpose is to advance land conservation plans and programs by working collaboratively to support mutual goals and activities.

At their November 2020 meeting the MET Board of Trustees approved revisions to MET’s Cooperative Agreement. The Cooperative Agreement has been periodically revised over the years to better define partnership expectations, strategies, and to align with MET’s current priorities. The updated Agreement more clearly lays outs roles and expectations for both MET and the land trust partner. For more information or to renew your Agreement contact Michelle at michelle.grafton@maryland.gov

Land Trust Monitoring Reports

The deadline to submit your co-held easement monitoring reports for CY2020 is January 31, 2021. For more information contact Michelle at michelle.grafton@maryland.gov.

Upcoming Volunteer Monitoring Training

Maryland Environmental Trust is looking for volunteers who are passionate about land conservation to work in the field as Volunteer Land Stewards. MET Volunteer Land Stewards visit conservation easements, talk with landowners, make observations, notes and take photographs of the features of the easement. Read more.

The next volunteer training will be held on February 17, 2021. For more information or to register click here.

Land Trusts in the News

70+ Forested Acres Protected Along South River Tributary

Scenic Rivers Land Trust secured a conservation easement for 70.9 acres along the North River, which feeds into the South River, in Crownsville. The property is a largely-forested portion of the landowner’s family farm. Read more.

Maryland Dairy Farm Gives Virtual Tour of Organic Operation

In 2016, Ed and Matt Fry were asked if they wanted to convert their 500-head registered Holstein herd in Maryland to an organic operation. Read more.

Chesapeake Conservancy Admitted into Large Landscape Peer Learning Initiative

Chesapeake Conservancy has been selected to participate as a member of the second cohort of the International Land Conservation Network’s Large Landscape Peer Learning Initiative. Read more.

Navy and Partners Conserve 318 Acres in Dorchester County

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the United States Department of the Navy in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Conservation Fund (TCF), and Chesapeake Conservancy announced the successful conservation of 318 acres in the Nanticoke Rural Legacy Area on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Read more.

Online Learning Opportunities

Calling All Maryland Land Trust Executive Directors

TBD

Forever Maryland is convening Executive Director virtual coffee gatherings for solution focused discussions concerning emerging trends, best practices and Board and staff relations. These (virtual) gatherings will provide space to ask questions of your colleagues and provide support to your peers. If you are interested in participating contact Wendy at wendy@forevermaryland.org.

Connecticut Land Conservation Council Shares Resources

Online | Free

The Connecticut Land Conservation Council is sharing slides and resources from their May 14, 2020 virtual Q&A session, Mergers for Land Trusts with Amy Blaymore Paterson and Catherine Rawson.

Additional information on mergers and the virtual session recording are also available on the event page.

How to Find Donors and Get Them to Stick

February 3 | Free

Donors can be challenging for nonprofits. Join this discussion to learn the best ways to find and attract new donors. For more information or to register visit the event page.

Medicinal Gardens 101

February 24 | Free

Workshop 2 of a 3-Part Workshop Series will discuss creating your own medical garden. For more information or to register visit the event page.

11th Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference

February 25 | Free

Breakout sessions will focus on strategic planning, communications, development/fundraising, management, and leadership. For more information visit the event page.

Defining Leadership and its Uses

June 17 | Free

Take a fresh look at board, staff, and volunteer leadership in the nonprofit environment. How can leadership be cultivated and sustained in a nonprofit organization? For more information or to register visit the event page.

Grants, Jobs and Other Opportunities

Grants and Database Administrator

Deadline: February 5

Potomac Riverkeeper Network seeks a highly organized and effective Grants and Database Administrator with demonstrated experience in the use of Salesforce for Non-Profits. Learn more.

Education, Interpretation, and Engagement Assistant

Deadline: February 13

From its headquarters in Annapolis, Maryland, the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office manages the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. Learn more.

Major Gifts Development Consultant

Deadline: February 14

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL for a major gifts development consultant to launch and lead a Major Gifts Initiative for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Learn more.

Chesapeake Conservation Corps Application is Now Open!

Deadline: March 4

The Chesapeake Bay Trust anticipates placing 35-40 Corps Members with Maryland nonprofits and government agencies to work full-time for a stipend-support year of service ($20,000) from August 2021 to August 2022. Learn more.

Volunteer Maryland Service Site Partnerships

Deadline: March 5

Volunteer Maryland and its partners mobilize community volunteers to address critical community needs. Discover how a strategic partnership with Volunteer Maryland can strengthen your volunteer program and increase community engagement. Learn more.

Nature Sacred is Hiring!

Until Filled

Nature Sacred is looking to bring on two new Maryland positions to help evolve and expand their reach to new communities across the country. Nature Sacred seeks to hire a Director of Programming and a Projects Manager. Learn more.

More News You Can Use

What Is Your Winning Strategy?

In these uncertain times, it is difficult enough to keep our heads above water, none the less engage in a time-consuming, prescriptive planning process. Read more.

Business Volunteers Launches New Landing Page for Nonprofits

The Nonprofit Portal is a one stop shop allows nonprofit partners to register for events, apply for opportunities, and utilize more resources. Learn more.

5 Ways To Grow Your Nonprofit’s Membership Base

Growing your membership is hard at the best of times, and with COVID-19, it might feel downright impossible. Read more.

A Primer on Nonprofit Contributions and Revenue from Contracts with Customers

You may have heard the buzz about the new revenue recognition standard, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which is now effective for all nonprofits. Read more.

Genuinely Useful Tips for Getting Outside this Winter

Study after study confirms that fresh air and exposure to natural spaces can relieve stress, reduce blood pressure, boost your immune system, and more. Read more.

Street Trees Save Lives

Street trees are a crucial part of city life. Green “corridors” connect parks and provide essential habitat for wildlife. Read more.

Josh Kurtz Named Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Maryland Executive Director

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has named Josh Kurtz as its new Maryland Executive Director. Kurtz joins CBF after serving as the policy and government relations director for The Nature Conservancy in Maryland. Read more.

New Species Of Fossil Found Along Calvert Cliffs

Local fossil enthusiasts Stephen Groff and Marcus Jones found a partial skull of a fossil fish along Calvert Cliffs. Little did they know at the time that it would turn out to be the find of a lifetime. Read more.

Perry County Conservation District Holds Field Day and Launches Podcast

The Perry County Conservation District created a podcast to facilitate sharing farmers’ success stories to create a positive culture around conservation. Read more.

States Mull Conservation Action Under Shadow of COVID-19

Fighting climate change, planting more trees and funding environmental progress in tight times will be among the challenges confronting state lawmakers. Read more.

Virtually or in Class, the Outdoors Belongs in the Curriculum

Nearly a year into this global pandemic, Maryland’s school districts and families are still grappling with how to safely educate our students. Read more.

Cicada Explosion Among Big Events on 2021 Nature Calendar for Pennsylvania

The largest and most widespread brood of 17-year periodical cicada, will emerge in May and June, highlighting a year of nature events worth watching. Read 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.

MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST | dnr.maryland.gov/met