Past Workshops and Networking Events

  • May7

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    Landscape-Scale Land Conservation: Steps to Success. A 5-Week Course.

    Zoom Registration is now closed.

    This five-part series is targeted to experienced land protection personnel from land trusts and conservation partners who aspire to tackle large or complex land conservation projects in Massachusetts, including those that cross state lines. For these purposes, "landscape-scale" projects are those that may include multiple landowners or require a multi-year...

  • May2

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    Building a Strategic Fundraising Program – A Four-Week Course for Massachusetts Land Trusts

    Zoom

    This four-part series, offered in partnership with Land Trust Alliance, will provide the tactics needed to better engage with people and raise more money. Topics will include: basic planning protocols, tools to develop strategic fundraising plans, approaches to fundraising from individual donors and funders, and more. Dates & times: Thursdays…

  • May2

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    Topics of Interest for AVLTs (All Volunteer Land Trusts)

    Zoom

    Today's topic of discussion will be "CRs: Writing Them, Defending Them - Tips and Tricks". Bring your questions and insights so we can learn from each other. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking program. This call will not be recorded. Register.

  • Apr11

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    Info Session for Land Protection Tools & Techniques Course

    Zoom

    This course is for anyone interested in pursuing land protection as a career, whether or not enrolled in an academic program. The info session will explain the application process and the course. Find the link to the Zoom under View Details.

  • Apr10

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    Small Staffed Land Trusts: Board Engagement

    Zoom

    How do we attract, engage, and retain Board members? Let's learn from each other! We can also cover insights and things learned at the Conference which small land trusts may be able to implement. This call is part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking program. It will not be recorded.

  • Mar5

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    Topics of Interest to All-Volunteer Land Trusts

    Zoom

    The focus of this call will be "Membership Programs: Yes? No? Alternatives?". Some organizations have membership programs, others don't. Some are moving away from a membership model. Why? What alternatives are there? Come share your experiences, questions, and suggestions. These informal one-hour discussions are intended for staff and board...

  • Feb29

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    Endowments and Board-Designated Funds: Does Your Land Trust Need One?

    Zoom

    This free educational webinar presented by Matt Goward CFP, UBS Wealth Management, will address how to create, fund and appropriately manage an endowment, and how endowments and other board-restricted funds may fit into managing your organization's financial sustainability. Hosted by MLTC...

  • Feb8

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    Stewardship Roundtable: Unhoused Encampments

    Zoom

    This one-hour Zoom will start with a brief summary by two land trusts of their experiences with homeless encampments, then open the discussion to the group for insights, questions, and sharing their stories. We'll also gauge if there's interest in holding regular topic-based stewardship calls. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together...

  • Jan25

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    Development Staff: Sustaining Donor Membership

    Zoom

    Share with your development colleagues from across the state your success stories, questions, and ideas about sustaining donor memberships, and any programs you have (or would like to implement) for retaining and sustaining donors. This call will not be recorded…

  • Dec5

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    Topics of Special Interest to AVLTs (All Volunteer Land Trusts)

    Zoom

    The focus of this call will be Community Outreach and Engagement. Come prepared to share your experiences and ask questions. Topics for discussion might include letters, websites, social media, email list management, reaching kids/teens, etc. This call was not recorded...

  • Nov30

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    Development Staff: Online Giving Days

    Zoom

    We'll discuss "Online Giving Days" - pros, cons, success, ideas. We invite you to share your successful programs, and come with questions for your development colleagues. This call was not recorded...

  • Oct30

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    Agricultural Conservation Working Group

    Hybrid

    This two-hour Zoom will continue the conversation started at the Land Trust / State Agency Retreat about farmland conservation funding and strategy. This conversation will be hosted by MLTC, and guided by David Viale (MDAR's APR program), Jamie Pottern (American Farmland Trust) and Kathy Orlando (Sheffield Land Trust). This call will...

  • Oct26

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    Topics of Special Interest to Small Staffed Land Trusts

    Zoom

    Join this second networking session for staff and Board of Small Staffed Land Trusts. Topics on this call may include: year end appeals, board development, or volunteer recruitment and engagement. We are polling registrants for their topics of interest. There will also be time to ask any urgent questions of...

  • Sep27

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    Development Staff: Engaging Business / Corporate Support

    Zoom

    This month's topic for discussion will be "how to engage corporate and local business support for land conservation". We invite you to share a successful business collaboration, and come with questions for your development colleagues. Facilitated by MLTC. This call was not recorded...

  • Sep14

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    Conservation & Housing in Collaboration

    Zoom

    This one-hour discussion will start with a brief summary of potential avenues for collaboration between land conservation and affordable housing that have been covered in prior meetings this year, then discuss whether and how to further dig into any of them. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking series, intended for...

  • Aug16

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    Agricultural Conservation Interest Group

    Zoom

    Join us to learn about the soon-to-be released Farmland Action Plan, and discuss a two-pronged proposal for accelerating agricultural conservation in Massachusetts. First, MLTC is considering hosting a multi-part training to more fully educate land trusts and others about APR options, tools, and farmland protection in general. Second, MLTC and...

  • Aug15

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    Topics of Special Interest to AVLTs (All Volunteer Land Trusts)

    Zoom

    The focus of this call will be Human Resources, with topics such as contractors vs. staff, growing the organization, hiring and firing, "staffing" both volunteer and paid, and others as participants bring up. Facilitated by MLTC. This call will not be recorded...

  • Jul31

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    Topics of Special Interest to Small Staffed Land Trusts

    Zoom

    Small Staffed Land Trusts often face a unique set of concerns running their organizations. Topics of interest could include: managing a sustainable volunteer program, staffing vs. contractors, efficiency tools, project best practices and more. Bring your questions and ideas. Facilitated by MLTC. This discussion will not be recorded...

  • Jul12

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    Development Staff: Growing Land Trust Membership

    Zoom

    Join development colleagues to network and gather ideas on this month's focus topic of Growing Land Trust Membership. Share an approach that's been successful and / or describe a challenge that the group may be able to address. Facilitated by MLTC. This call will not be recorded...

  • Jun29

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    Fundamentals of Land Protection

    Zoom

    This five-part series is targeted to land trust and municipal staff and volunteers who are interested in better understanding or directly engaging in land conservation transactions, but who have limited prior experience (i.e., zero to five conservation deals under their belts). Topics include: June 1 - The Basics of Land...

  • Jun27

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    Conservation & Housing in Collaboration

    Zoom

    The focus of this call will be "How to Partner with an Affordable Housing Advocate / Developer / Community Land Trust". Facilitated by MLTC. This discussion will not be recorded...

  • Jun22

    -

    Fundamentals of Land Protection

    Zoom

    This five-part series is targeted to land trust and municipal staff and volunteers who are interested in better understanding or directly engaging in land conservation transactions, but who have limited prior experience (i.e., zero to five conservation deals under their belts). Topics include: June 1 - The Basics of Land…

  • Jun15

    -

    Fundamentals of Land Protection

    Zoom

    This five-part series is targeted to land trust and municipal staff and volunteers who are interested in better understanding or directly engaging in land conservation transactions, but who have limited prior experience (i.e., zero to five conservation deals under their belts). Topics include: June 1 - The Basics of Land…

  • Jun13

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    Kickstart the Agricultural Conservation Working Group

    Zoom

    Do you work with the agricultural community and want to enhance what can be done to support farmland protection and farming in the state? Join this group of stakeholders to convene around agricultural conservation. This will follow in the footsteps of successful MLTC working groups that have revised the state’s...

  • Jun8

    -

    Fundamentals of Land Protection

    Zoom

    This five-part series is targeted to land trust and municipal staff and volunteers who are interested in better understanding or directly engaging in land conservation transactions, but who have limited prior experience (i.e., zero to five conservation deals under their belts). Topics include: June 1 - The Basics of Land…

  • Jun1

    -

    Fundamentals of Land Protection

    Zoom

    This five-part series is targeted to land trust and municipal staff and volunteers who are interested in better understanding or directly engaging in land conservation transactions, but who have limited prior experience (i.e., zero to five conservation deals under their belts). Topics include: June 1 - The Basics of Land…

  • May24

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    Topics of Special Interest to AVLTs (All Volunteer Land Trusts)

    Zoom

    All Volunteer Land Trusts often face a unique set of concerns running their organizations. Today's discussion will touch upon some of those, such as succession planning and hiring staff or contractors, and perhaps others. Facilitated by MLTC. This discussion was not recorded...

  • May17

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    Development Staff: Strengthening Fundraising Efforts / Expanding Funding Opportunities

    Zoom

    Join MA land trust development colleagues to follow up on the lunchtime gathering that took place at the March MLTC conference. Our aim is to strengthen connections, increase opportunities to network and collaborate on fundraising efforts, and ultimately expand funding for the vital work of land trusts in the Commonwealth...

  • May8

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    Conservation and Housing in Collaboration

    Zoom

    Building on the momentum of the conservation / housing discussions at the annual conference on March 25, as well as the urgency to find solutions to protecting land to meet climate goals and the (affordable) housing crunch affecting Massachusetts, this networking discussion provides an opportunity to share thoughts and ideas with...

  • Oct4

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    Being Prepared for "What If"

    This series took place on five consecutive Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. starting October 4, 2022. MLTC is collaborating with the Land Trust Alliance and Maine Land Trust Network to help you ensure the permanence of your land trust and its conserved lands. This new...

  • Sep12

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    Building Community Connections to Advance DEI

    Zoom

    This Stronger Together networking discussion provides an opportunity for land trust staff and board members to exchange ideas on efforts to advance racial justice, equity and inclusion initiatives within their organizations. This session will focus on sharing ideas on how to build and strengthen relationships with communities that have been...

  • Feb15

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    Boot Camp for Land Trust Board Members

    Zoom

    Five consecutive Tuesdays, February 15 - March 15, 2022, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. This five-part series provides an orientation to unique elements of land trust work and important roles that Board members play. Drawing from Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices and feedback received from Massachusetts land trusts, Alliance...

  • Jan26

    Leadership Succession Planning for Land Trusts

    Zoom

    Four 90-minute sessions: January 26, February 2, February 9 and March 9, 2022 via Zoom. At its heart, succession planning  is not about replacing people but a way to facilitate change and growth, making your mission more enduring. Through a series of virtual sessions with separate tracks for staffed and... 

  • Jan19

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    Fielding and Responding to Concerns about Safety of Trail Users

    Zoom

    Have you heard increased concerns about trail user safety in the wake of the late November attack on a woman hiking at the Middlesex Fells? If so, have you been wondering about an appropriate response? Are more group hikes a good idea? Additional signage or social media messages? This "Stronger...

  • Nov15

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    Help MLTC Work for You: A Forum for All-Volunteer Land Trusts

    Zoom

    Join us for this networking discussion that provides an opportunity for board members of all-volunteer land trusts to provide input on MLTC's 5-year strategic planning process that is currently underway. How can MLTC be a better advocate for you? Or help with your technical, funding, communications or other needs? Hosted...

  • Nov11

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    Landowner Webinar Series: Plan for Your Land

    Zoom

    2nd Thursday of each month, November 2021 - April 2022, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Hosted by UMass MassWoods. This six-part webinar series for landowners will feature relevant professionals to provide information and help answer questions. Sign up for individual webinars or the entire series. Learn more. November...

  • Sep22

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    COVID and Your Fall Events

    Zoom

    This informal "Stronger Together" networking discussion sponsored by MLTC provides an opportunity for conservation leaders to share questions and ideas about how news regarding COVID breakthroughs and variants is impacting plans for your fall meetings and events. Go live or virtual? Hybrid? Masks or no masks? Exchange ideas with peers...

  • Sep15

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    Learning Collaborative: Advancing Racial Justice, Equity and Inclusion for Land Trusts

    Zoom

    Wednesdays September 15, September 29 and October 20, 2021, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., via Zoom. This interactive three-part learning collaborative is for land trusts leaders interested in exploring ways to advance equity and inclusion initiatives. Led by Dr. Neenah Estrella-Luna, a dynamic researcher, educator and advocate…

  • May27

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    Environmental Protection at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office: Lessons and Opportunities for Massachusetts Land Trusts

    Zoom

    Attorneys from the AG’s Office will discuss the Environmental Protection Division's work tackling climate change, challenging recent federal environmental rollbacks, enforcing state wetlands laws, and furthering environmental justice across the Commonwealth. The presentation will include lessons learned and opportunities for land trust engagement on some of the most pressing environmental...

  • May10

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    Models for Land Trust Collaboration: A Stronger Together Learning Collaborative

    Zoom

    Three sessions, beginning Monday May 10, 2021, 10:00 a.m. - noon via Zoom. Next sessions Monday May 17, 10 a.m. - noon; and Monday June 14, 10 a.m. - noon. This interactive three-part workshop is for land trusts leaders interested in exploring the possibility of formalized collaboration with other...

  • May6

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    Land Trusts and the APR Program: Increasing the Pace of Farmland Preservation

    Zoom

    David Viale, Agricultural Lands Program Manager with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, will lead a discussion with land trust representatives to explore ways to improve the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) acquisition process. Input will be sought on topics including shortening the APR acquisition timeline; increasing available funding and the...

  • Mar24

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    Expanding Eligibility for Protection Funding through Farmland of Local Importance

    Zoom

    To date, NRCS in Massachusetts has routinely recognized prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland of statewide importance as eligible for agricultural easement programs, including those conducted in partnership with Massachusetts' APR program. If additional important soil types were recognized, more farms would be eligible for easement funding. In 2019, the...

  • Sep20

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    Leadership Workshop for Board Members and Executive Directors

    Fidelity Bank Community Room 9 Leominster Connector, Leominster, MA

    Leadership Workshop for Board Members and Executive Directors. Located at Fidelity Bank Community Room, 9 Leominster Connector, Leominster, MA...

  • Jun12

    -

    Protecting Biodiversity in a Changing Climate

    Brigham Hill Community Farm 37 Wheeler Road, Grafton, MA

    Protecting Biodiversity in a Changing Climate. Located at Brigham Hill Community Farm, 37 Wheeler Road, Grafton, MA...

  • Dec4

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    Combat Communications

    Brigham Hill Community Farm 37 Wheeler Road, Grafton, MA

    Combat Communications. Located at Brigham Hill Community Farm, 37 Wheeler Road, Grafton, MA...

  • Sep21

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    Stewardship

    Greenbelt, Cox Reservation 82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA

    Stewardship. Located at Greenbelt, Cox Reservation, 82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA...

  • Feb4

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    Cracking the Communication Nut

    Upper Cape Technical High School 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA

    Cracking the Communication Nut. Hosted by Southeastern Massachusetts Land Trust Convocation. Located at Upper Cape Technical High School, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA...