eNews
The Newsletter of the Massachusetts Land Conservation Community |
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March 19, 2024, Volume 22, Number 3 |
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Lanesborough Farnams Hill to be Preserved for Hikers
Berkshire Natural Resources Council has purchased a 178-acre parcel on the east side of Route 7 in Lanesborough, and plans to create a hiking trail through to the Farnams Hill ridgeline near the Cheshire town line. The parcel provides a critical link, via BNRC’s trail easement through Square Roots Farm in Cheshire, to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. An anonymous gift helped make the $630,000 purchase possible, as did funds raised for the High Road, a trail system BNRC is developing to link town centers to trails throughout the Berkshires. Beth Mills, BNRC’s director of land conservation, prioritized this acquisition: “to preserve the forest connectivity for a corridor of protected land between the Taconic Ridge and the Cheshire Reservoir.” Mills also expressed, “as we looked at it more carefully, we began to realize that it was appropriate also for a trail, not just the habitat connection, but a trail connection for us for part of the High Road.” Hikers are free to begin using the parcel immediately, although there are no marked trails or maps available yet. Public access improvements are being developed as part of recreation and habitat management planning for the property, with improvements due in the near future.
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Consider supporting MLTC's efforts to inform, connect, and advocate for the Massachusetts land conservation community. Your donation of any amount is appreciated! |
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The strengthening sun put me in the mood for spring on a recent visit to Chelmsford Land Conservation Trust's Archer Meadowbrook Preserve. #OurMassLandTrusts |
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Pre-Conference Sponsor Talks March 19 – March 20
Even if you’re not attending the conference on Saturday, March 23, you’re welcome to attend these online presentations from some of our lead sponsors: -
Tuesday, March 19 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | An Integrated Approach to Land Use, Conservation & Climate | EOEEA. Free registration here.
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Wednesday, March 20 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Conserving Healthy Rivers & Lands in Massachusetts: TNC Goals for 2030 | The Nature Conservancy. Free registration here.
2024 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference – Last Chance to Register!
The conference takes place Saturday, March 23 at UMass Amherst, Campus Center, with topical field trips around the state on Fridays, April 26 and May 17. With 24 sessions, lots of time for networking, a keynote address by Dr. Darren Ranco on his work with the Wabanaki Commission on Land and Stewardship, and a closing reception – new this year – there are lots of reasons to join us! -
Optional informal lunchtime networking will be available in dedicated rooms for Development Staff, Small-Staffed Land Trusts, All Volunteer Land Trusts, Stewardship and Early Conservation Career Network.
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Forester CEUs will be available. See conference portal to download the sheet.
ECCN Pre-Conference Gathering Friday, March 22, 4:30 p.m., MacLeish Field Station, Whately
Are you in the first 10 years of your conservation career? Join other Early Conservation Career Network members for an evening of learning and networking before the annual Land Conservation Conference. We'll hear from interdisciplinary artist, designer, and woodworker Gina Siepel about their ongoing work To Understand a Tree, which they have created while an artist in residence at the MacLeish Field Station. We will have an opportunity to hike the trails together afterwards, before gathering at a nearby brewery for networking, food, and beverages. Parking is limited; please carpool if possible. Register.
Topics of Special Interest to Small Staffed Land Trusts Wednesday, April 10, noon - 1:00 p.m. via Zoom
The topic of this quarterly networking call will be determined based on discussions at the conference Saturday, March 23. Visit us at our lunchtime networking room. Come with your questions, and feel free to share your experiences, so we can learn and support each other. Register here for the April 10th call. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking series. This call will not be recorded.
Fall 2024 Land Protection Tools & Techniques Course - Applications Open Info webinar: Thursday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. Course runs September 10 – November 17 Application deadline: Wednesday, May 15
This fall, UMass Extension, in partnership with MLTC and Mass Audubon, will offer a course aimed at individuals who have a strong interest in learning the practical nuts and bolts of land conservation transactions in order to seek employment in this field. This course will draw from expertise within the professional land conservation community in Massachusetts through a 9-week online series, and will also include a weekend-long, in-person, practicum-type retreat at the Wildlands Trust Stewardship Training Center in Plymouth. Learn more and access the application at masswoods.org/lpcourse. You can also visit the UMass table at the Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference on Saturday, March 23 or click here for the April 11th webinar.
Building a Strategic Fundraising Program – A Short Course for Massachusetts Land Trusts May 2, 9, 23 (Thursdays) and 28 (Tuesday), 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
This four-part series, offered in partnership with the 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. Three optional peer sessions for deeper dives will be held on Wednesdays June 26, July 31, and August 28. Program cost: $50 per MLTC-member organization, or $75 per non-MLTC member organization. Learn more and register.
Landscape-Scale Land Conservation: Steps to Success Five consecutive Tuesdays from May 7 - June 4, 4:00 - 6 pm via Zoom
This five-part series is targeted to experienced land protection personnel from land trusts and conservation projects in Massachusetts, including those that may include multiple landowners or require a multi-year and/or multi-funder strategy. A variety of in-depth case studies will be presented to illustrate challenges and elements of success, such as unifying partners around a shared vision; identifying and securing funding to take large-scale action; engaging multiple landowners simultaneously; scaling up capacity to manage multiple deals; dealing with curveballs; and sustaining energy over time. Participants will be encouraged to share perspectives from their own work, and discuss approaches to projects you are currently working on or contemplating. Facilitated by Jim Levitt from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Robb Johnson from MLTC, with guest faculty sharing replicable strategies from their work. Cost for the full series: $30 for per organization for MLTC members: $45 for non-members. (Organizations are invited to sign up multiple representatives under a single registration fee.) To maximize interaction and discussion, participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, and registration will be capped at 20. Learn more and register.
Development Staff Quarterly Networking Call Thursday, May 23, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The topic of this call will be determined based on discussions at the conference Saturday, March 23. Visit us at our lunchtime networking room. Register for the May 23rd call. Share your success stories and questions with your development colleagues from across the state. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking series. This call will not be recorded.
Stop and Shop Community Bag Program
We are excited to announce that the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition is enrolled in Stop and Shop’s reusable Community Bag Program. During the month of April, MLTC will receive $1 for every reusable bag purchased at the Stop and Shop located at 101 Andrew Avenue in Wayland.
Check Out Our Annual Report
MLTC recently released our latest annual report, including a summary of our financial statements and list of supporters for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Thanks to everyone who contributed to a successful year! |
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Thank you to our generous Conference Sponsors! |
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Administration Launches Climate Action Campaign
On March 11, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched a statewide media campaign to raise awareness about climate change and promote ways for individuals to take climate action. The campaign was shaped by research conducted by The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to assess Massachusetts residents’ perceptions, motivators, and barriers to taking climate action. The media campaign directs people to resources hosted on mass.gov/ClimateAction, including information on how to participate in energy efficiency, weatherization, electric vehicle adoption, and residential solar programs.
Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the Statehouse Wednesday April 3, 9:00-2:00 pm
Organized by the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, this event celebrates the hard work and many diverse products produced across the Commonwealth, and also acts as an opportunity for farmers to have their voices heard and make their issues known to the legislative body.
Comment Period extended for Revised Wetland, Stormwater and Water Quality Regs
In December, DEP released a suite of proposed revisions to existing regulations related to wetlands protection, stormwater management, Chapter 91 public access to waterways, and Section 401 Water Quality Certification. Public comments on the draft regulations are due at 5 pm on April 30, 2024. DEP encourages electronic submission by email to dep.wetlands@mass.gov, with "Wetlands-401 Resilience Comments" in the subject line.
Land Trust Alliance Advocacy Days Optional training session: Friday, April 5, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., virtual
April 15 – 18 (Monday – Thursday), Washington, DC
The Alliance invites land trust staff, board members, and volunteers to join its annual advocacy event in Washington D.C., where participants will hear remarks from key Capitol Hill figures, and take part in meetings with their members of Congress to educate them about land conservation issues of local and national importance. On April 5, The Alliance will provide an online briefing on key issues and advocacy training for first-timers. Learn more and register. Alliance members can apply for travel stipends of $300-500 to defray attendance costs. Apply.
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Update on Conservation Restriction Review Backlog
MLTC continues to hear many concerns from member land trusts about delays in review and approval of Conservation Restrictions by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). We have been advocating and strategizing with senior leaders at EEA on this matter for over two years now, most recently in meetings with EEA leadership in early March. Given the sheer size of the backlog that accumulated during staff transitions, and the high volume of new CRs that continue to come in for review, the problem has been slow to resolve. EEA continues to employ contract reviewers to help with the backlog, and an additional staff person to assist with review started on March 11. As we learned in December 2023, EEA approved engaging an external law firm to assist with review, but as of March 8 the firm had not yet been brought on board. At MLTC’s Conservation Partners Meeting on March 8, Bob Wilber, Director of EEA’s Division of Conservation Services, reported that 253 CRs are currently pending in their office. This includes 43 which have been sent back to applicants for signature; 122 in various stages of review; 64 “packaged for review” by the outside law firm that has still not been brought onboard; and 24 awaiting review. Given the backlog, EEA is still prioritizing deadline-sensitive CRs over others. At present, 53 CRs under review have June 30th deadlines related to grant funding.
Larger Grants available through Conservation Partnership Grant Program
We're happy to report that the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has announced that the maximum possible award to non-profits under the Conservation Partnership Grant Program has been increased to $300,000 for FY25 grant round, for which applications are due July 15, 2024. Learn more and apply here. TerraCorps Service Site Application NOW OPEN Deadline to apply: Friday April 5
Service members are paired with a site supervisor, an experienced professional, who provides them guidance and mentorship while they learn to manage community programs and projects over an 11-month service term. Service members gain professional skill sets, real world experience, and networking opportunities that help them launch their careers. Apply here.
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NEW! Stewardship Tea and Talk
Thursday March 21, 3 - 4:30 pm. Free, via Zoom.
Join the Land Trust Alliance's first-ever national online stewardship discussion. In facilitated breakout rooms of no more than ten colleagues, discuss challenges, solutions, risks, and opportunities in your challenging work. This is a peer-to-peer discussion, so come ready to share and learn. If you love the peer support and learning you get at the annual stewardship roundtable at Rally, then please attend this new mid-year follow-up discussion. This event will not be recorded. Register.
The Initiative on Land, Housing, & Property Rights Conference March 21 & 22 (Thursday & Friday), Hybrid: at Boston College and via Zoom
Over $32 billion in real property in the U.S. is estimated to be heirs’ property, a highly unstable form of ownership most prevalent in low-income communities. Loss of heirs’ property that lacks clear title increases the racial wealth gap. Learn about the problem and existing and potential solutions. Learn more and register. Dam Busters 101: Monthly Lunchtime Webinar Series First Wednesday of each month through July, noon – 1:00 p.m.
Sponsored by DER, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and CRWA, each webinar focuses on a dam removal topic, features an expert, and offers time for questions and discussion. The goal is to give municipal and NGO dam removal project managers the knowledge they need to successfully manage and carry out a dam removal project. Attend one or all. An in-person site visit is planned at the end of the series in the fall of 2024. Register. View previous sessions.
Tribal Forestry: Understanding Current Issues and Challenges Thursdays, January 18 – April 25, noon – 12:55 p.m. (not March 21)
This series will focus on the current state of tribal forest management and Indigenous stewardship, with speakers from different tribes, universities, non-profits, and agencies. Topics will include: the history of forest stewardship on tribal lands in North America, federal laws and tribal forestry, contemporary uses of plants and wildlife stewardship, fire, conclusions from the Indian Forest Management Assessment (IFMAT), tribal co-management, and the future of tribal forestry in the face of climate change. Free. CEUs available for attending foresters. Co-developed and co-hosted by The Forest School and the Yale Center for Environmental Justice at Yale School of the Environment, and Salish Kootenai College. Learn more and register.
ACEP-ALE Program Sub-Committee Spring Meeting Wednesday, April 10, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
At this spring meeting of the ACEP-ALE Program Sub-committee of the MA NRCS State Technical Committee, learn about ACEP-ALE and WRE programs as tools for farmland protection, participate in making recommendations to the State Technical Committee, and help shape the role and scope of this sub-committee to advance farmland protection efforts across the state. This group will plan to meet quarterly. All interested parties welcome. Register. Contact Jamie Pottern jpottern@farmland.org with questions.
NEW! Building a Strategic Fundraising Program – A Short Course for Massachusetts Land Trusts
May 2, 9, 23 (Thursdays) and 28 (Tuesday), 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. see details under MLTC News and Programs above.
NEW! Landscape-Scale Land Conservation: Steps to Success Five consecutive Tuesdays from May 7 - June 4, 4:00 - 6:00 pm via zoom see details under MLTC News and Programs above. Agricultural Preservation Restriction Landowner Webinar Thursday April 11, 3:00-4:00pm
Please join Commissioner Randle and the APR Stewardship Team for a webinar covering policies, guidelines and resources relevant to APR constituents. Please send your Q&A in advance to Kristina.Smith@mass.gov. Register.
NEW! Build Your Skills in Conservation GIS The Wildlands Stewardship Training Center is partnering with Essex County Greenbelt to host a series of virtual workshops in the fall of 2024 for those interested in learning about how GIS is used in the field of land conservation. Please fill out this form if interested.
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In-Person Events and Outings |
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NEW! Canopy 2024: Forests, Climate, and Innovations Forum
Thursday, March 21, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., UMass Amherst, Olver Design Building
Forests are not only integral to the Commonwealth’s identity but also play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. At the Forests, Climate, and Innovations Forum, we will concentrate on how Massachusetts forest landowners and forest-based businesses can meet the growing demand for wood products in economically and environmentally sustainable ways. Please review the Forum Agenda. Link to Register.
2024 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference Saturday, March 23, 2023 in person at UMass Amherst and Fridays, April 26 and May 17, field trips around the state. See more above, under MLTC News and Programs. Basic Chainsaw Skills for Trails March 30 & 31 (Saturday & Sunday), 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day Location: Stewardship Training Center, Plymouth Training will include basic chainsaw safety, use, and equipment maintenance. Participants will gain basic skills for addressing tree issues on trails. Cost: $250. Breakfast and lunch are provided each day. Details and registration. Organized by Wildlands Trust. NEW! MDAR’s First Annual Agricultural Resource Fair
Friday April 12, 9:00am - 3:00pm, Mass Wildlife Headquarters, Westborough (registration not required but greatly appreciated)
Non-Profit agricultural stakeholders and service providers including our Federal-State Partners will be offering the Massachusetts agricultural farming community up-to-date timely resource information. The material presented will include material on services, funding information, and technical assistance programs to provide a ‘One-Stop Shopping’ resource opportunity for those that attend. The Fair’s goal is to assist in making the agricultural industries in Massachusetts sustainable and viable. For more information contact Mary Jordan. Register.
NEW! 2024 Maine Land Conservation Conference April 12 & 13 (Friday & Saturday)
Registration is now open for the 2024 Maine Land Conservation Conference in Topsham. Read about all the happenings and explore workshop descriptions on the MLTN website. Then choose your workshops and register early. Some sessions, especially those taking place on Friday, will sell out quickly. Wildlands Tier 1 Volunteer Training Series Wildlands Stewardship Training Center, Plymouth
The intent of this pilot program – in addition to skill-building – is to offer an avenue for physical activity, scaled to individual ability, and to introduce trainees to a tight-knit community of like-minded peers and new ways to get involved with local conservation efforts. Free to all current and prospective volunteers (except the First Aid & CPR session). No experience is required. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend all four modules and receive Tier 1 certification. Learn more about the series. Learn more about the Stewardship Training Center. These modules will be offered again in the future.
Thursday, April 18 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Hand Tool Use & Maintenance - Register
Thursday, May 9 | Trail Monitoring & Maintenance – sold out
NEW! Vernal Pool Conservation Workshop Wednesday May 8, 9am-4pm, Plymouth, MA
This workshop will explore the importance of vernal pools and how land trusts may wish to consider them in conservation decision-making. During a classroom session and a field session, learn about vernal pool ecology and how vernal pools can be used to measure the conservation value of land. Discuss potential stewardship practices and considerations, including the certification of vernal pool habitat. Participants should be willing and able to spend an afternoon hiking through potentially steep and/or wet areas. Register.
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NEW! New England Grassroots Environmental Fund
Application Deadlines: March 19 and September 17
The Grassroots Fund invites applications for its Grow Grants program, which will award up to $4,000 in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The program is geared toward groups that have some experience implementing a project in their community, and grants will enable groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes. Learn more. Grow Grants.
NEW! Partnerships for Disability Access, Inclusion and Leadership 2024 Grant Application Application deadline: Friday March 29
The Land Trust Alliance is offering grants to member land trusts working in partnership with disability communities and/or organizations led by or serving disabled people. The goal of the grant program is to advance accessibility, inclusion and belonging for disabled people through partnerships, relationship and trust building and co-creation of programs and services. Grantees will receive funding, participate in virtual peer convenings, and receive mentorship and technical assistance from Disabled Hikers and the Alliance’s Council on Inclusive Health and Disabilities. Contact Ajiah Zywicki at aglibert@lta.org with questions. Apply here.
NEW! AgEnhancement Grants Application deadline: Monday April 1, 5 p.m.
Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded in support of efforts to foster and grow all types of agriculture, forest production, or commercial fishing, including traditional and nontraditional production and marketing approaches. Program areas include but are not limited to leadership development; economic viability and enhancement; programs to promote northeast agriculture and recognize developments of ag leaders; efforts to build a better understanding of agriculture, forestry, and commercial fishing; and economic analysis to foster agriculture. Details Farm Credit East Website
Innovation and Capacity-Building Grants Application deadline: rolling through Wednesday, April 3
These grants, part of the EmPower Program of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, provide seed funding for the exploration of innovative ideas for potential program models or projects that will provide access to the benefits of clean energy, or reduce energy burden for previously underserved or vulnerable populations in the state. RFP. Learn more.
America the Beautiful Challenge Info Webinar Pre-Proposals due: Thursday, April 4 Full Proposals due (by invitation only): Tuesday, July 16 Approximately $119 million will be awarded in nationwide funding to conserve, connect, and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife. Learn more.
NEW! Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Watershed Implementation Grants Letters of Intent deadline: Friday, April 5, 4:00 p.m., and full proposals will be by invitation only.
Restore America’s Estuaries is seeking Letters of Intent for the 2024 SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants for projects that restore clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable communities and support the goals and priority actions of the SNEP Strategic Plan. Approximately $2.8 million is available to state, county, local, and tribal governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofits, and academic institutions for grants from $10,000 to $500,000. Learn more and apply.
Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grants Application deadline: Friday, April 12, 4:00pm
These grants are for Massachusetts municipalities to replace undersized, perched, and/or degraded culverts in areas with high ecological value with new structures that meet environmental design and structural standards along with flood resiliency criteria. Check the DER website for the RFR (Request for Responses) opening, recorded grant briefings, and other technical resources on these grants.
Landscape Partnership Grants Application deadline: Thursday, April 18, 3:00 p.m.
The goal of these grants is to protect large blocks of conservation land, with minimum qualifying acreage varying by county. Local, state and federal government agencies, and non-profit groups can use this grant to work together to protect properties that meet the minimum acreage required based on county. Grants up to $1,250,000 are available in this round. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the info sessions. Email Vanessa Farny at vanessa.farny@mass.gov to register. Learn more and apply.
NEW! LAND and PARC Grant Programs Information sessions May 6 and May 9
Deadline: Thursday, July 11, 3:00pm
The Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs' Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications to the FY 2025 LAND and PARC Grant Programs. The LAND Grant Program is for municipal conservation commissions looking to protect conservation land. The PARC Grant Program is for municipalities looking to acquire parkland, renovate an existing park, and develop a new park. DCS will hold two workshops for the PARC and LAND grants. It is strongly recommended that people attend the in-person workshop, which will be held on May 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at DFW Field Headquarters in Westborough. A second workshop will be held on Teams May 9, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Please email Melissa Cryan at melissa.cryan@mass.gov to RSVP for either session if you are interested in applying for a PARC grant. Please email Vanessa Farny at vanessa.farny@mass.gov to RSVP for either session if you are interested in applying for a LAND grant.
Funding for MA Forest Landowners to Improve Native Wildlife Habitat Application deadline: May 10
Offered through the Massachusetts Collaborative for Private Forestland – Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), these funds support improving and protecting wildlife habitat on private forest land in Massachusetts. Eligible landowners must own forestland in Massachusetts that is at least 10 acres. Applications received by May 10 will be ranked and considered for funding in fiscal year 2024. Learn more.
Ocean Hour Farm Inaugural Grants Application deadline: rolling until Friday, May 31
The purpose of these inaugural grants from Ocean Hour Farm – a center for education, scientific research, and demonstrations of regenerative agriculture based in Newport, RI – is to help fill knowledge and infrastructure gaps in order to accelerate and support an inclusive transition to regenerative land management. Proposals should focus on one or more of these: skills development and transition mentoring; redesigning food and fiber systems; redistribution of resources; and/or data collection. Awards range between $10,000 and $75,000. Projects must offer a direct benefit to food and fibershed within an approximately 100-mile radius from Newport, RI. Learn more.
NEW! National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Long Island Sound Futures Fund
Application deadline: Full proposals are due Monday, May 13 by 11:59 pm Eligible applicants: state, territorial, Tribal, local/municipal governments and their agencies or organizations; non-profit 501(c) organizations; and educational institutions.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has announced ~$12 million of available funding to support Long Island Sound (LIS) watershed communities as they plan, design, and implement projects in the Connecticut River watershed or the Long Island Sound Upper Basin (MA, VT, NH) to protect the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Email to learn more.
NEW! National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Application deadline: Friday June 21
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the 2025 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) funding opportunity, which provides grants for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources. The NCWCG Program provides eligible State agencies with grants for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources. Tribes, local governments, conservation organizations, and private landowners are encouraged to work with state agencies to develop a project and submit an application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to your WSFR Regional Office point of contact prior to the deadline for any clarifications on eligibility. Link to Apply.
NEW! Conservation Partnership Grant Program Application deadline: Monday, July 15, 3:00 pm
The Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs' Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications to the FY 2025 Conservation Partnership Grant Program. Conservation Partnership grants are for 501(c)(3) organizations looking for assistance in acquiring land in fee or a conservation restriction, as well as assistance with due diligence costs associated with gifts. Maximum awards have been increased to $300,000 in this grant round. For questions, contact Melissa Cryan. Link to Apply.
Solar Moonshot Program
This program helps non-profits afford the switch to clean energy. Grant priority is given to solar projects that have additional funding sources and community support. Grants are typically awarded up to $25,000, with amounts dependent on various factors. The program is managed by Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation, and grants are funded by generous philanthropists and foundations. Questions? Contact solarmoonshot@hcs.foundation. Learn more and apply.
Supporting Underserved and Small-Acreage Forest Landowner Participation Application deadline: reviewed quarterly, with final deadline Wednesday, August 21
These grants, funded by the US Forest Service, support the participation of underserved or small-acreage forest landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience. Learn more and apply.
Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area Partnership Grants Applications accepted on a rolling basis starting October 1 until funding is exhausted
This program serves as a catalyst for new, creative programs and projects within 45 communities of the Heritage Area. Reimbursable matching grants are offered in support of the goals and objectives outlined in the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area Management Plan and summarized as: Inclusive Storytelling; Education, Interpretation & Curation; Community Planning & Resource Conservation; Historic Preservation; and Regional Cultural Events. Funding ranges from $1,000 to $7,500. Discussion of your proposal with a grant specialist before applying is highly recommended. Learn more here and here.
Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants
Awarded on a rolling basis through November 21, 2024, these U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants will award up to approximately $2 billion to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. Eligible applicants are partnerships between two community-based non-profit organizations, and partnerships between such organizations and local governments or higher education institutions. Learn more and apply.
List of Federal Funding Opportunities
Compiled by Land Trust Alliance (LTA), this list of current federal conservation program funding opportunities for land trusts is organized by deadline date. For a complete list of funding, visit grants.gov.
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Resources and Opportunities |
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NEW! What’s Changed with Form 8283 for Conservation Easement Donations?
Correctly completing the IRS Form 8283 is an essential part of the land conservation donation process. The IRS revised Form 8283 and its Instructions in December 2023, which reflect the implementation of the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act and other changes from the IRS. To ensure land trusts understand the revisions, the Land Trust Alliance has updated its Practical Pointer Form 8283 and Appraisal Review, drafted a “What’s Changed” technical resource and the guidance for Land Trust Standards and Practices 10B2. In addition, the Conservation Defense team will publish two recordings of our staff explaining the revisions.
NEW! Breaking Ground: An Affordable Housing Resource Guide for Land Trusts
A new report from Land Trust Alliance, titled Breaking Ground: An Affordable Housing Resource Guide for Land Trusts. According to their website, "the purpose of this report is to provide a strong foundation for land trusts to gain literacy in the world of affordable housing, while encouraging cross-movement collaboration." CPA advocates are encouraged to download a copy.
NEW! New tool to help transform vacant properties into community assets
The Center for Community Progress and the Land Trust Alliance have released a new mapping tool that fosters local community development partnerships to transition vacant property liabilities into housing and open space assets by helping local community groups and conservation groups identify places where cross-sector partnerships may intersect to best achieve community improvement goals. Learn More.
NEW! CPA Bootcamp
The Community Preservation Coalition (CPC) periodically hosts online training for CPA communities, members of local Community Preservation Committees, and local advocates, covering a variety of CPA topics. This one-hour training session was a condensed version of the full CPC orientation that is provided to new CPA communities. Watch the recording here.
NEW! Notice of Public Hearing: Massachusetts Prohibited Plants Friday April 26, 10 am via zoom
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will hold a public hearing to hear testimony regarding the intent to restrict entry of the following plants into Massachusetts: Japanese black pine and Callery/Bradford pear. Please refer to this pdf for the registration link and to read more about the public hearing. NEW! Seeking Nominees: 2024 New England Leopold Conservation Award
Nominations and applications are being accepted through June 28, 2024, for the New England Leopold Conservation Award®. The $10,000 award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land. Submit a nomination here. NEW! Conservation Easements: Legal Principles, Valuation, and Applications: Online Course: self paced
The course begins with an introduction and overview of conservation easements, setting the stage to explore their uses in land policy. Throughout the modules, students will also review the legal principles, valuation methods, and federal tax provisions associated with conservation easements, while gaining insights from real-world examples and exploring strategies to address controversial aspects of this tool. Register.
NEW! Talking Points: New England’s Climate Imperative Report
In 2021, Northeast Forest Network (NFN) members expressed unanimous support for promoting five complementary pathways for increasing the climate benefit of New England’s forests, as summarized in New England’s Climate Imperative: Our Forests as a Natural Climate Solution (Meyer et al. 2022). At NFN members' request, Highstead hired a communications and marketing firm to help turn the 2022 report's findings into talking points that members could use to efficiently convey the positive impact of our region's forests on mitigating climate change. Read the talking points here.
NEW! How Land Trusts can participate in the Carbon Credit market
The US Forest Service, Western Reserve Land Conservancy and City Forest Credits (CFC) hosted several informational webinars about how land trusts and conservation organizations can participate in the carbon offset market to generate funding for land stewardship through forest preservation. View a recording here. Restoring Old Growth Characteristics Podcast
Old growth forests were once the predominant natural condition across our New England landscape prior to European settlement. Now they are one of the rarest habitats in our region. Listen to Paul Catanzaro, Professor, Forest Ecology and Conservation, UMass Amherst, discuss the range of opportunities and techniques to restore old growth characteristics to our forests.
Heirs' Property Toolkit
The Land Trust Alliance, with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), created the Heirs' Property Toolkit to help land trusts understand the heirs' property issue, and provide resources to use when working on heirs' property projects. Heirs’ property refers to family land passed down from generation to generation through inheritance, often without a deed or clear documentation, resulting in disputes over land ownership and difficulty accessing conservation funding and other resources.
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