IIT Fall Newsletter: Connecting Land Trusts - PenBay Regional Meeting

By Kizzi Barton

On September 24th, Chloe, Jack, and I made our way to the Field’s Pond Audubon Center in Holden to attend the Maine Land Trust Network’s annual regional gathering of Penobscot Bay land trusts. 

The event drew strong attendance from both larger local land trusts and smaller, volunteer-run organizations. Many new faces were also present, suggesting that land trusts are benefiting from a fresh infusion of energy!

We engaged in a lively discussion about the staffing challenges faced by land trusts. Nonprofits often struggle to offer salaries and benefits comparable to those in the private sector, raising the question: how can positions—whether employee or contractor—be made attractive and competitive?

Hunting on land trust properties was also discussed. We found that IIT’s Hunting Policy was one of the most comprehensive among the organizations present and we were happy to be able to offer guidance to trusts that are just beginning to draft or expand their own hunting policies. Not bad for a small outfit!

Other topics touched on were: 

• Financing of land acquisition projects related to revolving loan funds, LLCs or other temporary holding entities.

• Training and Recruitment for land trust appraisers.

• Different insurance needs for land trusts.

Maine Land Trust Network (MLTN) representatives also updated us on a few of the issues in the State House that they have been tracking:

• In June Governor Mills signed LD 1072, which will revamp The Conservation Lands Registry. MLTN is working with Land for Maine’s Future Funding (LMF) to replace the current registry portal with a reporting system that is closely tied to the state’s GIS dataset.

• Land for Maine’s Future Funding (LMF) Legislators introduced multiple bills in 2025 to support LMF. If a dedicated revenue source for funding is unable to be identified, the plan is to shift strategy and seek a general fund bond instead. 

• Tribal Bills The Wabanaki Alliance has two priority bills that legislators introduced earlier this year: LD 395 “An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations” and LD 785 “An Act to Enact the Remaining Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”. Both bills are expected to have hearings early in 2026.

All in all, an informative day. And, if you haven’t yet been to the Field’s Pond Audubon center then put it on your list of places to visit - especially if you’re a birder!