Calendar

About the event: Successful landscape-scale land conservation projects can hinge on productive engagement across municipal, sectoral, and sometimes national boundaries, but these boundaries can also pose logistical challenges to planning and collaboration. In this presentation, ILCN Director Jim Levitt, will look at the role of international communities of conservation, share insights into the work of the International Land Conservation Network (ILCN), and explore examples of cross-boundary conservation in New England and Canada.

The focus for the second meeting of this popular Land Protection networking group will be "How land conservation departments onboard and train new land conservation staff". This call is a forum for Land Protection staff and Board to learn from each other, so bring your questions and share your experiences. Conversation is fluid, so other topics of mutual interest may also be discussed. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking series. This call will not be recorded.

Conversation on these calls is driven by current issues and concerns of those participating so this is a great place to bring questions for your peers. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking series for land trust staff and Board members. This call will not be recorded. Contact Robb Johnson (robb@massland.org) for more information.

The focus topic this quarter will be "Stewardship Management & Recordkeeping Tools". Share your experiences and/or bring questions for your AVLT colleagues. Last quarter's call on Databases was especially engaging, so join us this month for another "tech" talk. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking program. This call will not be recorded.

Land protection staff should possess a good working knowledge of the various tax benefits associated with the types of land acquisitions. We cannot give legal or tax advice, but we can expose landowners to these concepts and potential strategies. Most landowners want to preserve their property because they love it…but tax breaks are a great incentive to get them to follow through. In this one-hour Zoom session we will touch on local, state and federal types of tax savings. We will also provide an interactive tax worksheet as a takeaway for attendees to use on their own. Q. If you are a low income landowner with a high value property, what is the best way to donate it and maximize tax benefits? If you know how these tax benefits all work together, you will know the right answer. The workshop will be led by Rob Warren and Mark Robinson who have more than 80 years total experience working with hundreds of landowners.

Land trust staff and board members as well as conservation partners are welcome to this quarterly meeting, featuring relevant news from state agencies, a timely update on state and federal policy matters, announcements, and a featured topic.  Formerly known as "Steering Committee Meetings", these meetings are convened by MLTC's Partner...

With Mark Anderson, director of TNC's North American Center for Resilient Conservation Science (CRCS); Barbara Charry, Director of Rivers and Lands; and Arlene Olivero, Aquatic Ecologist.

With David Santomenna, Senior Director of Land Conservation at Mass Audubon

With Jennifer Ryan, Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives & Climate Policy at the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game, and Eve  Schlüter, Deputy Director at MassWildlife.

Executive Order No. 618, signed by Governor Healey, calls for the Department of Fish & Game to develop nation-leading biodiversity conservation goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050. DFG Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Ryan and Mass Wildlife Deputy Director Dr. Eve Schlüter will present on progress, next steps, and key priorities for a whole-of-government approach to biodiversity conservation. The presentation will highlight the crucial role of local land trusts and conservation partners in the success of this initiative with time for discussion on how we can come together to achieve the goals. 

Join the Early Conservation Career Network for an evening of learning and networking before the annual Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference. Jeff Mazur, Environmental Educator for the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, will discuss Big Night amphibian migration and the natural history of the yellow-spotted salamander. Afterward, we will walk the short trail together before gathering at Treehouse Brewing Company (optional, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., South Deerfield MA) to bond, eat, and enjoy beverages.

The annual Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference draws staff and volunteers from over 100 of the land trusts in the state, along with key partners from state, federal, and local government, making it one of the largest conferences of its kind in the nation. The conference agenda features a keynote plenary session and workshops, covering a diverse range of land conservation topics—from fundamental principles of land stewardship to strategies for identifying and conserving climate-resilient landscapes. It's a unique opportunity for participants from all levels of experience, from students to seasoned professionals. Please visit our Land Conservation Conference page for more details. 

Registration opens January 2025.

Join the Land Trust Alliance and MLTC for an information session to learn how your land trust could be selected for a comprehensive organizational development package that includes an organizational assessment tailored to your specific needs and interests, a customized list of priority action items, and eligibility for an Implementation Grant to implement these initiatives. Participants will also gain ongoing support through quarterly coaching calls. The application period is April 14 – May 16, 2025. Join the info session to learn more about the types of assessments available, the application process, and requirements to participate. This session will give you all the necessary details with time for Q&A. Learn more.

Land trust staff and board members as well as conservation partners are welcome to this quarterly meeting, featuring relevant news from state agencies, a timely update on state and federal policy matters, announcements, and a featured topic.  Formerly known as "Steering Committee Meetings", these meetings are convened by MLTC's Partner...