Land Trust eNews: March 2022

Maryland Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 03/15/2022 03:13 PM EDT

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Monthly News & Updates

March 2022 | Land Trust eNews

Maryland Environmental Trust Spotlight

Land Trust Survey

Please complete this short 6 question survey! Maryland Environmental Trust (DNR), Chesapeake & Coastal Service (DNR) and Resource Conservation Unit (MDP) are teaming up and reaching out to land trusts protecting land in Maryland. We hope to get a better picture of the lands that are protected and solely held by local land trusts. To help move this project in the right direction this team created a short 6 question survey.

The survey, Assessing and accurately mapping the land protected by local land trusts, should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Please visit the survey link for more information and to complete the survey by March 15, 2022.

Partners in Action

A Landscape That Will Make A Difference

The Maryland Forest Service and the Potomac Watershed Partnership present the Backyard Buffers program, designed to assist homeowners who have a waterway on or adjacent to their property to create a streamside buffer of native trees and shrubs.

Each “buffer in a bag” contains approximately 25 native bare-root tree and shrub seedlings with species appropriate to their region. Maryland Forest Service staff will provide information on tree maintenance and planting techniques, in addition to suggestions of other suitable native species at the time of pickup.

Quantities are limited so reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Order deadlines, pickup dates, and partner organizations vary by county — a list of contacts and dates for participating locations is found on the Department of Natural Resources’ website.

Ready, Set, Apply! Volunteer Maryland is Now Accepting Applications

Having an AmeriCorps member can significantly support your organization's goals of building capacity and enhancing services within your volunteer program They are a full time Volunteer Coordinator that could help you grow in 2022! Interested partners can find application details here. Questions? Contact Nathan Cabrera at nathan.cabrera@maryland.gov.

Interested in learning more about Maryland Environmental Trust's work with Volunteer Maryland and how AmeriCorps members have contributed to our Volunteer Program? Please contact Michelle at michelle.grafton@maryland.gov to schedule a meeting to learn more.

Learn and Explore

5 Million Trees, Please: Maryland's New 5 Million Trees Program

March 16 | Free

Join Acting State Forester Anne Hairston-Strang this Wednesday, March 16 for a free webinar on Maryland's New 5 Million Trees Program. For more details or to register visit the event page. The Maryland Department of Natural Resource regularly updates its Professional Development Workshops webpage with training opportunities and events throughout the state. Learn more.

District Opportunities through the Coastal Resource Resiliency Fund

March 17 | Free

This webinar will feature speakers from NFWF's National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCCF) to help participants navigate this opportunity. The NCRF supports projects that increase protection for coastal communities and improve valuable habitats for fish and wildlife species. Learn more.

Transactions – How to Save Land.

April 25 | Free

This workshop from Forever Maryland will provide new and less-involved land trust board members with an overview of land conservation – easements, fee acquisitions, and everything in between. Learn more.

Delmarva GIS Conference

May 12-14 | Registration Fee

The 2022 Delmarva GIS Conference theme will be A Wave of Difference. The conference is organized and supported by staff from state agencies and universities in the Delmarva area, as well as regional and national GIS-focused corporations. Registration for the conference will go live March 1, 2022. Learn more.

2022 Maryland Land Conservation Conference

June 1-2, 2022 | Registration Fee

Forever Maryland invites you to attend the 2022 Maryland Land Conservation Conference, Celebrating Success. Planning for Change. This two-day, in-person, conference will examine the current state of Chesapeake Bay restoration, smart growth, and conservation successes, while discussing how to plan for climate change, fiscal uncertainty, and emerging environmental challenges. This event will include multiple education tracks, facilitated discussions, demonstrations, networking opportunities, and nearly 50 local, regional and national speakers. Learn more.

Tools, Tech and Tutorials

Coastal Adaptation Report Card

UMCES releases the first-of-its-kind Maryland Coastal Adaptation Report Card that gives a snapshot of the current adaptation status in Maryland’s coastal counties and establishes a framework for measuring future progress. View the recording of the event release for more information.

Learn more.

State Seeks Local Input on Drone Usage

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) seeks local input for small unmanned aircraft systems and the regulatory framework managing those aircraft and operators. Local feedback is valuable as as MDOT MAA evaluates the current state of awareness and regulatory needs.

Learn more.

MD Forest Financing Implementation Tool

MDE's Forest Financing Implementation Tool (MD FFIT), a calculator designed to assist local governments, counties, and their partners seeking loans to fund forestry efforts and earn restoration credits for permits. The video shows how MD FFIT can be used to review different implementation scenarios, evaluate how much a forestry project would cost, and more.

Learn more.

Environmental News

Students Help Assateague Island Find Resilience Through Adaptation

New State Parks in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore to Open This Summer

Out and About (Sort of): No Place to Go

Maryland DNR 2022 Photo Contest Now Open

A Thoughtful Approach to Restoration is Giving One Community More Days at the Beach

Maintenance: Easy, Accessible, and Funded!

Money Grows on Trees for Owners Who Save Small Forests

Parting Thoughts from Extension Forester Jonathan Kays

Learn More

Land Conservation

Stewardship

Land Trust Assistance

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