06/05/2007

Quarterly Newspaper is now posted. You'll need Adobe Reader to view.

 

05/20/2007

Many thanks to our volunteers, sponsors and generous public for making SPLT's annual plant sale a success!! Remember our second annual bulb sale will be happening again this fall!!

 

 

03/13/2007

Job Announcement:  South Portland Land Trust Part-time Executive Director

The South Portland Land Trust seeks a part-time Executive Director (ED) to guide the Land Trust as it pursues its mission to conserve open space and expand trail networks that are significant historically, educationally, recreationally, or ecologically to the people of South Portland, Maine. It shall be the Director’s responsibility to ensure that the energies of the Land Trust are directed toward the above goals while maintaining the Land Trust itself as a vital, viable organization. We seek a dynamic individual with a demonstrated conservation ethic; proven leadership and team-building skills; ability to build collaborative partnerships with landowners, funders, stakeholders, government agencies, and the public; and excellent communication and organizational skills. Knowledge of land trust operations is required; a record of successful grant-writing is highly desirable. The ED is responsible to the volunteer Board of Directors, and shall be responsible, in partnership with the Board, for maintaining an income stream sufficient to fund Land Trust activities, including the ED's salary. For more information on SPLT activities and a detailed job description, see our website: (insert). Send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to:  Executive Director Search Committee, SPLT, P.O. Box 2312, South Portland, ME 04106 , or email to: (insert).

Fundraising:

The Executive Director shall be responsible, in partnership with the Board of Directors, for maintaining an income stream sufficient to fund Land Trust activities, including the payment of the Director’s salary.  Fundraising activities may include all of the following:

• Identify sources of grants and business/corporate donations;
• Solicit grants and contributions sufficient to support projects and general operating costs, in partnership with the Board of Directors;
• Solicit membership dues, donations and in-kind assistance;
• Involve corporations, local business, colleges, the City of South Portland and government agencies in partnerships that enrich projects.

Strategic Planning and Implementation:

The Director shall ensure that all projects are managed efficiently to attain project/SPLT goals.  Activities to this end include:

• Follow the strategic plan developed by the Board of Directors to guide Land Trust activities over the next five years (2007-2012);
• Work with the BOD, staff and membership to fulfill the goals of the strategic plan. Continually evaluate land trust activities to ensure funds and energies are aligned with the priorities outlined in the strategic plan;
• Oversee all grant funded projects to ensure grant requirements are met;
• Evaluate all priority and grant funded projects, and report to the Board on the effectiveness of the projects and recommend improvements;
• Maintain and strengthen partnerships to improve project performance.

Land Trust viability and visibility:

The Director shall be responsible for helping to maintain the public image and accountability of SPLT. Activities to this end include:

• Ensure that all SPLT promotional materials are current, appropriate, useful, and easily accessible to the public (website, newsletter, informational pamphlets, etc.)
• Maintain periodic communications with the media and ensure that new releases are composed for Land Trust activities whenever appropriate;
• With the BOD, work to increase membership by improving benefits to members, land trust visibility, periodic membership drives, or other avenues.
• Organize and conduct the annual members meeting. 

Administrative:

The Director shall work in partnership with the Board to ensure that the following administrative duties are performed timely and effectively:

• Assist the Treasurer and/or financial committee in developing an annual budget and to remain accountable for allocation of resources as approved or directed by Board;
• Regularly receive and respond to incoming communications to the Land Trust, including phone calls, emails and snail mail;
• Maintain membership listings and other Land Trust records/resources;
• Recruit, train, and oversee activities of staff (if applicable) and volunteers.

02/04/2007
   Click on this link to view a quicktime slideshow of the Building of the Clark's Pond trail . Download quicktime
here.  




  The quarterly news letter has been posted on our site and can be accessed here.. You'll need Adobe Reader to view.




SPLT & WET receives National Park Service Grant

 

The National Park Service today announced that the West End Trails (WET) project in South Portland has been selected to receive technical assistance for a year to help move the project forward. This includes assistance with strategic planning, technical help, and identifying potential funders.

 

“We are incredibly pleased to select the West End Trails project  as one of our key projects for the coming year,” said Julie Isbill of the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program. “The West End Trails project will knit together important natural resources and allow families in the South Portland area to enjoy the beauty of nature and have fun while getting fit.”

 

SPLT President Tom Blake stated that "piggy backed with our recent $200,000 funding for sidewalks and the recent creation of the Clarks Pond Trail gives the SPLT and the WET effort incredible viability and early successes.  With the NPS on Board, the potential is phenomenal for the Western portion of South Portland."

 

Through the Rivers & Trails program, the National Park Service helps communities and neighborhoods preserve their important local resources, protect river resources, develop new trails and greenways and create new open space.  These projects are locally-led with RTCA staff supporting local recreation and conservation leaders. This year, 64 projects were selected as RTCA grant recipients in the Northeast Region, spanning 13 states across New England and the Mid-Atlantic. In 2005, RTCA in the Northeast helped build nearly 220 new miles of bike and walking trails, created or restored more than 400 miles of river trails, and leveraged nearly $100 million in funds for targeted projects.

 

For more information on the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance program, please visit www.nps.gov/rtca.