eNews
The Newsletter of the Massachusetts Land Conservation Community |
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July 18 2024, Volume 22, Number 7 |
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View of cottages before demolition (pictured on left). Location of public drinking water supply (pictured on right in background) Woodland and Watershed Protection in Orleans
On crowded Cape Cod, creativity is needed to save the 14% of the county that remains neither developed nor preserved. The oversized lot with a house and outbuildings at 33 Eli Rogers was an important link between preserved land in Brewster and the 500-acre protected Orleans Watershed. It’s recognized by the state for being especially important for the protection of drinking water. In 2023, this forested land was at risk of being sold for expanded residential development. In the heated real estate market, Orleans Conservation Trust (OCT) had to act fast and its offer at the asking price of $999,000 was accepted, contingent upon financing. OCT arranged a $300,000 loan at 1% interest from its partner The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc. and borrowed $700,000 from a local bank at 7% for the remainder, enabling The Compact to pre-acquire the property in June 2023. In March 2024, The Compact sold one acre including the house for $670,000 and paid off the bank loan. Meanwhile, OCT secured $175,000 in a State Conservation Partnership grant and $200,000 from the Town Community Preservation Fund. The Compact conveyed title to OCT in June 2024 for the 3.7 acres of pine-oak forest and a small shrub swamp abutting other conservation land. OCT hired a contractor for $25,000 to demolish two dilapidated cottages and a shed and replant with native grasses. Thanks to OCT’s supporters, fundraising for this project has been completed and the hole in the forest is recovering nicely, all while protecting the town water supply. Read more.
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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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| Newton Conservators' Ordway Park was lush and lovely on a summer's eve. #OurMassLandTrusts |
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Welcome New Board Members!
We are so pleased to have Rachel Bruce, Mary Griffin, and Emily Myron join our board. We look forward to collaborating with you! A special thanks to outgoing board members: Paul Catanzaro, Karen Grey, Cynthia Henshaw, and Rich Hubbard. We appreciate your dedicated service and all the hard work you did for MLTC over many years!
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Early Conservation Career Network Cold Brook Preserve Tour
Wednesday July 24, 3:00 - 4:30 pm, location: Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve, Harwich Port, MA
Join the Early Conservation Career Network to tour a complex cranberry bog wetland system eco-restoration underway at the 66-acre Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve in Harwich Port. The Harwich Conservation Trust and its municipal, state, and federal partners are restoring nearly a mile of stream and over 44 acres of adjacent wetland habitat, aiming to improve fish passage, habitat diversity, wetland function, water quality, and ecological resilience. The project will also provide enhanced visitor access, including a half-mile wheelchair accessible trail loop. After the tour there will be a social hour at Devil's Purse Brewing Co. in South Dennis. Register.
Quarterly Networking Call for All-Volunteer Land Trusts (AVLTs) Tuesday August 20, 4:00 - 5:00 pm, via Zoom
Two entwined topics for discussion at this quarter's call include organizational transition and sustainability, and recruiting and accommodating new Board members from younger generations. This call is a forum for AVLTs to learn from each other and tackle their unique challenges. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking program. This call will not be recorded. Register.
Early Conservation Career Network Social Coffee and Hike Friday August 23, 9:00 - 10:30 am, location: Kestrel Land Trust, 37 Bay Rd, Amherst MA.
Join conservation colleagues for coffee/tea, a light breakfast, and a short hike. Enjoy casual conversation with other professionals in the land conservation community while sipping a morning beverage and taking in the view at Kestrel Land Trust's beautiful headquarters in South Amherst. Then, weather permitting, take a short hike together around the Plum Brook Pond and Sweet Alice Conservation Area. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited. Register.
Development Staff Quarterly Networking Call Wednesday September 11, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, via Zoom
This call’s focus will be best practices for year-end fundraising. As discussions often branch out to related topics, bring questions for your development colleagues, and feel free to share your successful programs. Part of MLTC's Stronger Together networking program. This call will not be recorded. Register. MLTC Conservation Partner Meeting Friday September 20, 10:00 - 12:15 pm, In-person at MassWildlife headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, and via Zoom.
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 this month’s featured topic: Article 97 and implementation of the Public Lands Protection Act. A detailed agenda will be sent in advance to all registrants. Register (only if attending virtually).
Massachusetts State Dinner at Rally Friday September 27, 7:30 - 9:30 pm, Trinity Brewhouse, 186 Fountain Street, Providence RI.
Whether or not you're attending the Land Trust Alliance Rally in Providence, anyone with Massachusetts land conservation connections is invited to join our traditional Massachusetts State Dinner at Rally. We'll have a private room with a cash bar and buffet dinner. Our venue is right by the conference center, so even if you can't join us for dinner, stop by for a drink and say hello! Learn more and purchase tickets.
Save The Date: 2025 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference Friday March 21, 2025 in-person at UMass Amherst
The Planning Committee deliberated extensively about the date and location for the 2025 conference, considering recent input from nearly 150 past attendees and feedback from 2024 conference evaluations. Based on overwhelming support for Friday, we will be trying that this year to see how it goes. While recognizing the annual conference is a singularly large and comprehensive gathering, we are exploring creative programming in the coming year to accommodate those for whom Fridays are difficult. Staff also explored numerous alternative conference venues in eastern and central Massachusetts, but found none that matched both our needs and budget. We will continue to explore alternatives for 2026 and beyond.
ECCNers: Your Input Needed! Please take this one-question survey.
The 2025 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference in March will be held on a Friday, rather than the traditional Saturday. ECCN is trying to determine when it would be best to hold their annual conference-adjacent event. We appreciate your input through a brief (one question!) survey to help ensure that as many ECCNers as possible can attend! Click here to take the survey.
Update on Reports of Conference Attendee Lists Being Sold
MLTC recently learned that some of you received an email offering to sell a list of Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference attendees. After examining somewhat opaque language in Eventbrite’s user agreement and privacy policies, we have concluded it is possible that registrant contact information may indeed have been shared with Eventbrite’s partners. We sincerely apologize if your contact information was released in this way. We will no longer use Eventbrite and have confirmed that our new registration vendor, QGiv, does not sell or distribute lists.
Renew your Membership with MLTC!
Our FY25 membership drive is underway – thanks so much to many who have already responded! Join MLTC to support everything we do.
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Update on CR Backlog
MLTC and our member land trusts remain deeply concerned about a significant and protracted backlog in the review and approval of Conservation Restrictions by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). Despite repeated promises to engage additional resources and resolve the issue, it has been frustratingly persistent. Bob Wilber, Director of EEA’s Division of Conservation Services, provided this update on July 17:
“DCS/EEA is making progress in addressing the lingering backlog of pending CR reviews. In the fiscal year ending June 30th, we completed our review of all 38 grant-related CR applications. At fiscal year’s end four of those were awaiting final edits by the applicants and three were seeking to obtain local signatures. In June, 21 CRs received final approval from Secretary Tepper. We have engaged the assistance of six Auxiliary CR Reviewers to expand our capacity to process CR reviews. Similarly, EEA is in discussions with law firms to further enhance our CR review capacity. Both are part of a concerted effort to significantly reduce the backlog by this fall – when the next batch of calendar-year-sensitive CRs will require prioritization.
Latest CR Review Figures: There are 228 CRs in our system, including: -
107 that are awaiting edits by applicants or final local approvals.
- 41 that are currently under active review by DCS/EEA.
- 80 that are awaiting review and will be assigned to Auxiliary CR Reviewers and/or the contracted law firm.
Anyone planning to submit an application for CR Review that must be completed by the
end of calendar year 2024 must submit a full application by September 1st . Adherence to the current CR template is strongly encouraged.”
FY25 State Operating Budget Still Pending
Three weeks into the new fiscal year, Massachusetts has yet to adopt an operating budget. A House-Senate Conference Committee is working to resolve differences between their respective plans, with a final version expected any day now. Environmental agencies are expected to fare relatively well and chances appear good that the Commonwealth will maintain last year’s precedent of spending at least one percent of total state revenue on environmental programs. The House version of the budget included MLTC’s top legislative priority – expansion of the Conservation Land Tax Credit. In a June 10th letter, MLTC and many of our member land trusts urged the Conference Committee to preserve that provision in their final consensus budget.
Climate Bill in the Balance
As the July 31 end to the formal legislative session draws near, action is pending on major climate legislation that was, among other things, expected to ensure faster permitting of alternative-energy facilities to help Massachusetts meet its targets under the Clean Energy and Climate Plan. MLTC’s partners have been advocating that any new expedited permitting systems for energy facilities must include provisions to address environmental, conservation and environmental justice concerns. The Senate passed its version of the bill in late June, including provisions for improved drought management, expanded electric vehicle infrastructure and incentives, an expanded range of beverage containers subject to a new 10-cent deposit, and a ban on single-use plastic bags. The House released its version of the bill on July 16 and is expected to pass it by the end of this week, leaving little time for a Conference Committee to work out differences between the two bills. Core changes to siting and permitting are similar between the two versions, but there are significant differences as well.
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Landscape Partnership Grants Awarded
On July 2nd, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $3.5 million in funding for three large-scale land conservation projects in Berkshire and Plymouth Counties. The Trustees of Reservations, Sheffield Land Trust and MDAR were awarded $1.25 million to protect 539 acres of critical habitat, forestland and active agricultural land in Sheffield, which is part of a larger landscape conservation effort that stretches into Salisbury, CT. Buzzards Bay Coalition, and the Towns of Carver and Wareham were awarded $1.25 million to protect 280 acres of forested uplands, cranberry bogs and riparian wetlands along the Weweantic River, the largest freshwater tributary flowing into Buzzards Bay. Buzzards Bay Coalition and MassWildlife were awarded $1.25 million to protect 499 acres of forested uplands and wetlands at the headwaters of the Sippican River in Rochester and Middleborough. The property connects existing large holdings of both partners. Learn more.
Mass Audubon Launches Major Land Protection Fund On June 20th, Mass Audubon announced the 30x30 Catalyst Fund, a $75 million investment in accelerating the pace of land conservation to protect biodiversity and capture
and store carbon. Massachusetts needs to protect approximately 100,000 acres to conserve 30 percent of the state’s lands and waters by 2030. Seeded by a transformative $25 million gift from Mathworks, The Catalyst Fund has already helped protect more than 1,300 acres of forest in Winchendon and Ashburnham and supported recent projects in Barre and Mendon. Mass Audubon is still actively fundraising toward its $75 million goal.
The fund is available to protect land in Worcester, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden
and Berkshire counties, and can be accessed by land trusts, state and federal agencies, and municipalities to support due diligence or purchase costs for fee or CR acquisition projects. The fund targets a leverage ratio of 3:1, and pre-acquisition and loans will be considered. Projects will be evaluated for biodiversity and carbon benefits using a model developed by Mass Audubon’s Land Conservation and Conservation Science teams. Additional consideration will be given to equity, public access, water supply protection and aspects of project design. Project proponents will work closely with a Mass Audubon Land Protection Specialist to structure and evaluate Catalyst Fund investments. For more information, visit Catalyst Fund for Land Protection Partners or contact David Santomenna at dsantomenna@massaudubon.org.
AFT's National Ag Land Network
Gain access to a free online “Massachusetts Farmland Protection Community” by joining American Farmland Trust's National Ag Land Network (NALN). The Massachusetts Farmland Protection Community is a private online community for Massachusetts land trusts, towns, and other conservation practitioners to share resources about farmland protection and access tools. Once you fill out the membership form, you will receive a welcome email from the NALN confirming that your membership has been processed along with an email from the community platform prompting you to set up a password for the online community platform. After logging into the community platform, navigate to Communities > All Communities. Scroll to find the "Massachusetts Farmland Protection Community.” This free community offers opportunities for sharing and learning among land protection practitioners in Massachusetts. Don't forget to explore and join other Communities to connect with practitioners from across the country!
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Dam Busters 101: Monthly Lunchtime Webinar Series First Wednesday of each month through September, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
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 non-profit dam removal project managers the knowledge they need to successfully manage and carry out a dam removal project. Attend one or all. Register. View previous sessions.
NEW! Biodiversity Goals for the Commonwealth
Tuesday July 23, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
In 2023, Governor Healey made history by signing Executive Order No. 618 which directs the MA Department of Fish & Game to develop nation-leading biodiversity conservation goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050. The department just released a new webpage to highlight their ongoing work to conserve species and habitats as well as build resilience to climate change. Join the MA Department of Fish and Game to discuss this initiative and share your thoughts on conservation priorities. Learn more and register.
NEW! Protecting and Promoting Farmland in Your Town
Tuesday July 23, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Hosted by the Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), this webinar will feature presentations from American Farmland Trust and Land for Good, covering the case for protecting farmland in Massachusetts, tools to help farmers access farmland, ways to support farmers through town planning, funding sources for permanent land protection, and success stories from southeastern Massachusetts. Attend to learn more about farmland protection tools and funding sources for Massachusetts municipalities. Register.
NEW! SMART Straw Proposal: Opportunities for Input
Deadline to register: Wednesday July 24 Webinar: Monday July 29, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm (morning session), 1:00 - 4:00 pm (afternoon session)
This virtual event is an opportunity for stakeholders to provide The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) feedback on the SMART Straw Proposal. Stakeholders will engage in small group discussions to help provide synthesized feedback to DOER about state incentives for solar power installations in Massachusetts. The morning session will cover program structure, process, and adders eligibility while the afternoon session will cover equity, consumer protection, compliance, environmental protection, and agrivoltaics. Register.
NEW! ACEP-ALE Program Sub-Committee Summer Meeting
Wednesday July 24, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
At this quarterly 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. All interested parties welcome. Register. For info contact Jamie Pottern at jpottern@farmland.org.
Trying Times: Conservation Easements and Federal Tax Law Webinar Wednesday July 31, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Registration fee: $45 (students complimentary)
The University of Utah hosts this four-hour virtual program with important updates on the latest case law and IRS guidance impacting conservation easements (known as Conservation Restrictions in Massachusetts.) Experts will offer practical advice to land trust staff and board members, government employees, attorneys, appraisers, and landowners. Attendees will hear the IRS’s perspective and ask questions of a diverse group of panelists with almost 200 years of collective experience with conservation easements and tax incentives. Learn more and Register.
NEW! Farmland Protection Tools in the Berkshires
Wednesday August 7, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
American Farmland Trust, Berkshires Natural Resource Council and Sheffield Land Trust are sponsoring this webinar to share information on farmland protection tools and funding sources for land trusts and municipalities in the Berkshires. Register here. For info contact Kathleen Doherty at kdoherty@farmland.org.
Quarterly Networking Call for All-Volunteer Land Trusts (AVLTs) Tuesday August 20, 4:00 - 5:00 pm, via Zoom See details under MLTC News, above.
NEW! MCAN’s Environmental Justice Speaker Series: Rev. Vernon Walker Wednesday August 21, 7:00 pm
The Massachusetts Climate Action Network is sponsoring a virtual event with Rev. Vernon K. Walker, Climate Justice Program Director at Clean Water Action Massachusetts. Throughout his time in Boston, Rev. Walker’s social justice work has appeared in several different print and online newspapers such as the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Bay State Banner, Commonwealth Magazine, etc. Walker has also made appearances on several Massachusetts and New England televised networks such as Fox 25, New England Cable News, CBS Boston, and more. Register.
NEW! The OpenStreetMap US Trails Stewardship Initiative Thursday August 22, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
This webinar is an introduction to the OpenStreetMap US Trail Stewardship Initiative. The OpenStreetMap US Trails Stewardship Initiative is a collaboration of government, volunteer, and private sector stakeholders working to address issues in trail mapping, outdoor recreation, and public land management. If you are an avid hiker or explorer, attend to hear the challenges, efforts, and successes of this new tool and the community collaboration behind it. Learn more and register.
Development Staff Quarterly Networking Call Wednesday September 11, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, via Zoom See details under MLTC News, above. |
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In-Person Events and Outings |
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Early Conservation Career Network Cold Brook Preserve Tour Wednesday July 24, 3:00 - 4:30 pm, location: Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve, Harwich Port, MA
See details under MLTC News, above. NEW! We The Land Conference! Friday August 2, 12:00 pm - Sunday August 4, 3:30pm, location: Smith College Campus Center, Northampton MA
Need Housing and/or want to carpool? Fill out this request form
Join over 300 BIPOC land stewards from all over the Northeast and beyond for a weekend of panels, workshops, strategy labs, community, and joy. This conference is intended to connect Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, SWANA & PoC Earth Workers, Land Stewards, and Farmers. We the Land! is rooted in Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust’s (NEFOC LT) vision to advance land and food sovereignty in the Northeast region. Learn more and register. Also, please consider donating to NEFOC LT to support an equitable fee structure for conference participants. Donate. For info contact Gaby Immerman at greenthumbforhire@gmail.com.
Early Conservation Career Network Social Coffee and Hike Friday August 23, 9:00 - 10:30 am, location: Kestrel Land Trust, 37 Bay Rd, Amherst MA.
See details under MLTC News, above. NEW! Mass ECAN Easthampton Field Trip
Thursday September 5, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (rain date Thursday September 12)
Massachusetts Ecosystem Climate Adaptation Network’s 2024 field trip series focuses on actions and nature-based solutions in response to inland flooding. Join this trip to explore green infrastructure projects in a residential setting and learn about community engagement and maintenance. Stay for an optional snack/networking time from 12pm-1pm! Register.
MLTC Conservation Partner Meeting
Friday September 20, 10:00 - 12:15 pm, In-person at MassWildlife headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, and via Zoom. See details under MLTC News, above.
Land Trust Rally in Providence RI Conference dates: Wednesday September 25 - Saturday September 28, start times vary
Early bird registration deadline: Monday August 12
Land Trust Alliance Rally is the national land conservation conference, providing an amazing opportunity for land conservationists to gather, learn, share ideas and inspire one another to build strong communities with open space, clean air and water, sustainable food sources and natural habitats. Rally moves around the country to highlight the diverse landscapes that land trusts work tirelessly to protect, and this year comes to our own backyard. 2024 Rally Schedule and registration info.
Massachusetts State Dinner at Rally Friday September 27, 7:30 - 9:30 pm, Trinity Brewhouse, 186 Fountain Street, Providence RI. See details under MLTC News, above.
NEW! Vermont Conservation Conference Conference: Monday October 7, time TBD, location: Vermont State College, Randolph Campus
The conference aims to make space for the conservation community across Vermont to meet, share resources, and foster discussions regarding collaborative, strategic, and informed conservation work and planning. Topics will include: reconciliation, recognition, and restorative Justice for the Land, landscape-scale conservation, biodiversity, climate solutions, organizational capacity, communication & engagement, working lands, stewardship and restoration, and livable communities. Registration opens late July. Learn more.
Northeast Wildlife Trackers Annual Conference
Friday October 18 - Sunday October 20, start times vary, at Prindle Pond Conference Center, Charlton MA
The conference will consist of individuals with diverse backgrounds and skill levels, ranging from beginners to experts, all united by their enthusiastic interest in wildlife tracking. Attend to engage with students, hobbyists, and professionals from fields such as conservation, guiding, academic research, and education. Spend quality time with like-minded individuals, building and enriching a more cohesive Northeast wildlife tracking community. Learn more.
MACC Fall Conference Saturday October 19, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, at Devens Common Center, Devens MA
The Annual Environmental Conference hosted by the MACC is a great opportunity to network with people who are working to protect wetlands, open space, and biological diversity across the state. Workshops will cover topics related to stormwater management, green infrastructure, floodplains & flooding, water quality issues, stream crossings, community engagement, and environmental justice. Learn more.
2024 Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP) Network Gathering Thursday November 14, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, at UMass Amherst
This free, one-day conference will bring together conservation practitioners, professionals, and enthusiasts to support their work in advancing collaborative landscape conservation in the Northeast and beyond. The theme this year is Collaborating for Healthier Communities. To ensure everyone has a healthy future in which to thrive, discussions will include how conservation groups are meeting multiple objectives beyond natural resource protection and management – including public health and well-being, climate justice, and community resilience. Learn more.
Save The Date: 2025 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference Friday March 21, 2025 in-person at UMass Amherst See details under MLTC News, above. |
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NEW! Clif Family Foundation Grants Application deadline: Thursday August 1
The Clif Family Foundation invites applications for its Operational Support grants program, which help cover daily operating costs and specific projects. Priority will be given to applicants that demonstrate strong community ties, operate within viable and clearly defined plans for positive change, and address two or more funding priorities at the same time: strengthening the food system, enhancing equitable community health outcomes, and safeguarding the environment and natural resources. Applicants must be based in the US and 501(c)(3) organizations or have a fiscal sponsor with such status. Learn more.
Cool Corridors Grant Application deadline: Friday August 2
Note: this is a reimbursement program
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) is awarding grants for community tree planting and related activities to mitigate extreme heat and enhance the tree canopy within neighborhoods and public spaces. Grants are available for municipalities, non-profit 501(c) organizations, and other eligible entities to pursue impactful tree planting. The maximum award is $150,000. The minimum project budget to be eligible is $30,000. Applications must be emailed to Hillary Dimino at Hilary.M.Diminno@mass.gov. Learn more.
NEW! Healthy Communities Grant Program Info sessions: Wednesday August 14, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Register
Tuesday September 10, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Register
Wednesday October 2, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Register Application deadline: Friday November 1, 11:59 pm
The Healthy Communities Grant Program is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) main grant program that works directly with communities to reduce environmental risks to protect and improve human health and the quality of life. The Program seeks proposals that assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks. EPA New England plans to award approximately 15 cooperative agreements for amounts up to $40,000. Learn more and apply.
Supporting Underserved and Small-Acreage Forest Landowner Participation Application 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.
2024 Merrimack Conservation Partnership Grants Application deadline: Friday August 30, 5:00 pm
The Merrimack Conservation Partnership (MCP) offers two grant programs:
Land Conservation Grant Program: underwrites transaction costs—appraisals, surveys, title research, staff time, etc.— for conservation transactions that protect land identified as a priority in the Merrimack Valley Regional Conservation Plan.
Environmental Science, Education and Outreach Grant Program: provides funding for environmental science, education and outreach activities related directly to the Merrimack River or its watershed in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Funds can be used for activities such as youth or public environmental educational activities, development of outreach and educational materials, river clean ups, water quality testing and monitoring activities, and other related activities.
Projects must be located in these towns. For info contact Brian Hotz at bhotz@forestrysociety.org. Learn more and apply.
NEW! New England Farmer-to-Farmer Soil Health Cohort Program
Applications open in September
The New England Climate and Agriculture team at American Farmland Trust is offering several 1-year peer-to-peer soil health planning programs for farmers of a range of scales and operation types. Courses run September 2024-September 2025, with most activities concentrated in the winter. Participants should expect to spend 10 hours per month on project activities in the winter and approximately 5 hours per month during the growing season. Most classes will take place virtually on Zoom. Participants will receive $2000 in financial assistance. Learn more. For info contact Caro Roszell at croszell@farmland.org.
Piloting Rewards for Ecosystem Services (PRES) Grants Application deadline: Friday September 6
This new program is administered by American Farmland Trust’s Western New England Regenerative Agriculture RCPP Project in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The program will compensate farmers for their contributions to carbon sequestration and emissions reductions, based on modeled emissions reductions associated with implementing agroforestry and conservation practices. Learn more and apply.
MassDEP’s Technical Assistance Grant Program Application deadline: Friday September 6
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) allow community and citizens' groups to obtain expert assistance, increase public participation, and provide public education about disposal site assessment and cleanup activities. MassDEP anticipates that grant awards will be a maximum of $20,000 per applicant, with total potential funding of up to $200,000. Learn more and apply.
New England Grassroots Environmental Fund Grow Grants Application deadline: Tuesday September 17
Grow Grants 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 and apply.
The Coldwater Land Conservancy Fund
Applications accepted on a rolling basis, applicants must submit inquiry 60 days prior to submitting full proposal
The Coldwater Land Conservancy Fund is a matching grant program administered by the National Office of Trout Unlimited (TU) along with the Land Conservancy Work Group. It provides grants for land protection projects that result in conservation easements or land trust or agency acquisition of important properties that protect salmon habitat. Funds will be awarded to TU Chapters and Councils in partnership with land trusts and conservation agencies for coldwater fisheries protection. Applicants should contact the Land Conservancy Fund committee at landconservancy@tu.org 60 days prior to submitting an application. Learn more.
Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area Partnership Grants Applications accepted on a rolling basis starting Tuesday 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.
Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Forest Legacy Program Application deadline: Monday January 13, 2025 (second round)
The Massachusetts Forest Legacy Program is accepting project proposals for Inflation Reduction Act funding. The three project types that will be accepted are: Large Landscape Projects (maximum request $50 million), State-Tribal Partnership Projects (maximum request $50 million), and Strategic Small-Tract Projects (maximum request $1.5 million). Each of these project proposals must be for land held in a single ownership that meets the FLP core-criteria as well as the special emphasis criteria. View the IRA Project Scoring Guidance for specific requirements for each project type. Email Lindsay Nystrom at lindsay.nystrom@mass.gov with questions. Learn more and apply.
NEW! Farm-Pass: Farm Transfer Planning Assistance Program
Application deadline: applications accepted on a rolling basis, but must be received by Wednesday January 15th, 2025 for March 2025 start date, or Tuesday April 15th, 2025 for a June 2025 start date.
Note: Please do not apply through CommBuys. please click “file attachments” to get the application. Completed applications must be mailed to MDAR.
MDAR’s new Farm-Pass program will provide direct assistance to help Massachusetts farm owners pass their farm on to the next generation. This service is targeted to owners who have already identified a successor – either within the family or not – who is interested in transitioning to own and manage a commercial farm business on the farm property in the near future. This is a year long, no-cost opportunity for farm owners, family members, and the identified successor to work one-on-one with an experienced, dedicated planner to create a customized farm transfer plan. Learn more and apply. Contact Melissa Adams at Melissa.L.Adams@mass.gov or Laura Barley at Laura.Barley@mass.gov with any questions.
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. Contact solarmoonshot@hcs.foundation with any questions. 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! EPA Launches Community Environmental Justice Mapping Tool & Trainings Training and Office Hours: Tuesday July 24, 12:00 pm
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed its annual update to EJScreen, the Agency's environmental justice (EJ) screening and mapping tool. EJScreen makes important improvements to better meet the needs of users, including a redesigned and enhanced report, a new environmental indicator with corresponding indexes, and refreshed demographic and environmental data. The main purpose of these annual EJScreen updates is to incorporate the newest available demographic and environmental datasets. EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is holding a training and office hours session to guide users through the updated software. Zoom link (no need to register ahead).
NEW! 2025 Land Trust Accreditation Lottery Deadline: Monday September 9
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission’s lottery for first-time applications will open on Thursday August 1, 2024 and close on Monday September 9, 2024. There will be one round for up to 10 first-time applicants with a pre-application due date of January 30, 2025 and application due date of May 8, 2025. Learn more and enter.
NEW! Wetland Reserve Easement Toolkit for Landowners
American Farmland Trust’s Farmland Information Center partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetland Reserve Easement (ACEP-WRE). This toolkit is a collection of resources and tools to help landowners participate in a voluntary federal conservation program that compensates landowners for removing degraded land from agricultural production. This program is aimed to restore wetlands that were destroyed by agricultural processes. Learn more.
NEW! Braiding Indigenous and Western Knowledge for Climate-Adapted Forests
This report integrates Indigenous Knowledge and western science for climate-adapted land management, recommending active restoration, prescribed burning, promoting climate-adapted species, and more. Read the report. NEW! Forest Center of Northwest Massachusetts
The Forest Climate Resilience Program, a multi-partner initiative led by Mass Audubon, launched The Forest Center of Northwest MA. This online resource provides community members, state and municipal staff with info on the region’s forest ecosystems, climate impacts and solutions, and how to start their own projects. Explore.
NEW! Farmland Access and Ownership in Connecticut
Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC), in partnership with the Connecticut CT Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), developed this report to address a critical challenge facing the state's agricultural industry: ensuring equitable access to secure farmland for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers. Through stakeholder insights, this report examines different collaborative land access models including those focused on land trusts, and proposes strategic actions to promote secure land access and ownership opportunities. Read the report.
NEW! Protect your Chickens
Predators killing chickens and damaging coops is becoming a major source of wildlife conflict in Massachusetts. Take action to protect your chickens and coops from predators like bears, coyotes, fishers, and birds of prey. Electric fencing and proper enclosure design are essential for keeping backyard chickens safe. Learn more.
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