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December 2021 | Land Trust eNews
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Maryland Environmental Trust Spotlight |
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Land Trust Monitoring Reports
Submit your CY2021 co-held easement monitoring reports to Maryland Environmental Trust for CY2021 no later than January 31, 2022. For more details contact Michelle Grafton at michelle.grafton@maryland.gov.
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The Kulp-Munch Family Donates Vacant Lot for Nature Play Space
Two of Urban Ecosystem Restorations (UER) most generous donors, Ms. Kayleigh Kulp and Mr. Jacob Munch, are donating to UER a vacant property to be the future site of a permanently protected Eco-Functioning Space in the Town of Riverdale Park, Prince George's County, Maryland. When finished, it will not only regenerate native forest, but it will host creative nature play for local children. Read more.
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Greg Bowen Receives a 2021 Maryland Sustainable Growth Award
The Maryland Department of Planning presented Maryland Sustainable Growth awards for leadership and community planning at its ninth annual awards ceremony on December 16, 2021. The awards recognize individuals, organizations, and programs that exemplify well-planned economic and community development initiatives throughout the state. American Chestnut Land Trust's Executive Director, Greg Bowen, received a 2021 Sustainable Growth Award recognizing his leadership and service to advance public appreciation, understanding, and involvement in promoting smart growth and sustainable communities. View a short video about Greg Bowen's work in southern Maryland. "These awards recognize people and projects from across Maryland that bring creativity, innovation, and passion to our communities,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Our administration is proud to honor and celebrate their commitment to helping change Maryland for the better." Read more.
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Rob Etgen's Exit Interview With Spy Media
Rob announced last Spring that he would be stepping down as President once Eastern Shore Land Conservancy has appointed his successor; back in October, ESLC's Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve Steven Kline as ESLC's next president. As ESLC moved into a transition period, Rob was honored to complete an exit interview with The Spy's Dave Wheelan to reflect on his work over the past 31 years with the organization. Rob's passion and respect for the Eastern Shore is palpable in his interview as he detailed the numerous objectives of ESLC, from preserving undeveloped land to improving our towns to develop smarter to serve all residents. Read more.
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LTA's 2020 National Land Trust Census
The Land Trust Alliance is proud to share the results of our 2020 National Land Trust Census. Every five years, the Alliance asks land trusts to provide key metrics about their work. The raw numbers are impressive — more than 61 million acres protected (more than all national parks combined) and 16.7 million visitors to land trust properties in 2020. Dive deeper and you'll see a wave of change: Land trusts across the nation are harnessing the power of conservation to address the challenges facing their communities, from the harmful effects caused by a changing climate to inequitable access to the land to lack of social connections. See the national and state results.
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The New Decade Means New Comprehensive Plans
In 2013, House Bill 409 increased the review period of a local jurisdiction’s comprehensive plan cycle to 10 years, instead of six years. To learn more about the 10-year cycle and when your jurisdiction’s review is due, please visit the Maryland Department of Planning’s Comprehensive Plan 10-Year Review Cycle webpage.
The Maryland Department of Planning has developed a transition schedule for the comprehensive plan 10-year review cycle, in coordination with the Maryland Municipal League (MML) and the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), as a service to local jurisdictions and planning officials. This publication serves as a guide to assist county and municipal planning commissions, planning boards and their staff, formulate procedures and make decisions on periodically reviewing the comprehensive plan as a guide to growth in the community. Planning is also writing Models & Guidelines: The Comprehensive Plan 10-Year Review Cycle. Read more.
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Last Chance to Submit an RFP for the 2022 Maryland Land Conservation Conference
Deadline: December 20, 2021
Forever Maryland is looking for speakers. Complete the Request for Proposals for the 2022 Maryland Land Conservation Conference Celebrating Success. Planning for Change., to be held on June 1st and 2nd, at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, on Kent Island, in Queen Anne’s County, MD. Learn more.
First Day Hikes Weekend Is Coming Up!
December 31, 2021- January 2, 2022 | Free
First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiking opportunities on the first day of the new year! Join us in Maryland on January 1st or throughout the first weekend of the new year for a hike at a state park near you. For 2022, there are two types of hikes available: ranger-led hikes and self-guided hikes. Learn more.
Upstream Tech's Lens: Using Remote Assessment for Landscape Conservation
January 11, 2022 | Free
Upstream Tech’s Lens is a web application that supports organizations in monitoring and assessing protected areas, restoration projects, and working lands. This all-in-one tool gives everyone in your organization eyes on the ground with aggregated satellite, aerial, and environmental data and a powerful workflow for collaborative analysis and reporting. Learn more about how land trusts, project developers, and conservation organizations use Lens to monitor and gain insights on millions of acres. Learn more.
CBT's Notice of Intent to Fund for the Urban Trees Grant Program
January 12, 2022 | Free
With excitement, the Chesapeake Bay Trust is announcing a Notice of Intent to Fund, subject to the State of Maryland budgeting process, an Urban Trees Grant Program. The goal will be to plant 500,000 trees in targeted urban, underserved areas over the next 9 years as part of a broader state-wide tree planting goal. Learn more.
Family Communications and Farm Succession Planning
January 22, 2022 | Free
This workshop will cover the essentials of estate planning, as well as practical activities to assist with family communication about business matters. Learn more.
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Tools, Tech and Tutorials |
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 Take MDP's Compatible Use Website and Handbook Survey
The Maryland Department of Planning has created an online survey to learn how community members interact with, seek information about, and envision compatible development between the state’s military installations and surrounding communities now and in the future. Results from this survey will influence the development of the state’s first compatible use website and handbook. The survey is open now through December 17.
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 MDOT Lauches 'incenTrip’ Mobile App
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Commuter Choice Maryland is launching a program aimed at helping Maryland commuters save time and money, while also earning cash rewards when they take transit, rideshare or use other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles in their rush hour commute. In addition to earning cash rewards, Marylanders using incenTrip also receive practical benefits including: avoiding traffic, saving money, and reducing their carbon footprint.
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 New Guide Explores the Importance of Forestry
To promote and support this important industry, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission and Grow & Fortify teamed up to develop a new resource guide and companion video ‘An Introduction to Southern Maryland’s Forestry Industry’ to highlight how responsible forest management benefits our state’s ecology and economy. The guide also encourages consumers to identify and seek out products made from locally sourced wood and explores forestry career opportunities.
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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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