RILand&Water Conservation Summit
. . . .Working together to protect our communities
Saturday, March 21, 2009 7:45 am – 4:30 pm
Location: URI Memorial Union, Kingston Campus
This day-long conference provides board members, staff, volunteers for
Land Trusts, Watershed organizations, Conservation Commissions, as well as
Municipal Commission Members and others
interested in land and watershed conservation with the
information, skills and connections you need to be effective.
Choose from over 30 Workshops offered during the Summit
Network with RI Conservation Leaders ♦ Visit Exhibits ♦ Learn how to be more successful
Program
7:45 – 8:30 Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 Welcome - Emcee: Peter August, URI Coastal Institute
Keynote - Tom Wessels, Author
Reading the Forested Landscape: A Natural History of New England
9:30 – 10:20 Business Meetings - Networking - Visit Exhibits
9:30 – 9:50 Business Meetings: - RI Land Trust Council
- RI Association of Conservation Commissions
10:20 – 11:30 Session I Workshops – Your choice from 11 offered
11:30 – 11:45 Break
11:45 – 12:55 Session II Workshops – Your choice from 10 offered
12:55 - 2:30 Lunch, RI Legislative Policy Update & Awards
2:45 – 4:00 Session III Workshops – Your choice from 10 offered
Registration: Early Registration Ends Friday - February 27
only $40* before February 27 --- $ 55* after February 27 *includes Lunch
Download full program & registration form or
Register Now on line: http://www.landandwaterpartnership.org/summit.htm
Workshops at a Glance:
|
|
Session 1 10:20 – 11:30 am |
Session 2 11:45 am – 12:55 pm |
Session 3 2:45 – 4:00 pm |
|
A |
Working With the News Media
|
Using the Web to Market Your Organization |
Navigating the New IRS 990
|
|
B |
Making Collaborations/
Partnerships Work
|
Going Green: Sustaining your Environmental Organization through Volunteer Leadership |
What RI River Advocates Should Know about Wild and Scenic Rivers |
|
C |
Developing a Diverse Fundraising Program
|
Using Salesforce Database to Build Membership & Donations |
Grant Proposal Writing for Small Organizations |
|
D |
Reintroducing: RI Association of Conservation Commissions & New Website – Part I |
Reintroducing RIACC Part II
|
Permanently Protecting Land in Conservation Developments |
|
E |
LTA Accreditation Update & Advice |
Upholding Conservation Permanence: Feasibility of
Conservation Defense Insurance |
RI Stewardship Protocols &
Invasive Species Management:
How Best Can the RICSC Inform Land Stewards? |
|
F |
GIS - Guided Tour of New & User-Friendly Maps on the Internet |
Integrating Conservation Strategies to Preserve Places & Communities |
What makes a Building “Green”? How to Review and Understand Green Development |
|
G |
Land Conservation & Archeology
|
How to Work with Municipalities to Pass Open Space Bonds |
Talking with Landowners About Protecting Their Land |
|
H |
What's Growing in Your River and Pond? A look at Freshwater Aquatic Invasive Species |
Engaging the Community with
Oyster Gardening |
Restoring Coastal & Inland Buffers: How to take advantage of CRMC’s Coastal Landscaping Program & DEM Restoration Resources |
|
I |
Reading the Landscape to Plan &
Maintain Trails |
How Not to Trip-up When You are
Trip-leading |
Connecting Your Organization to RI’s Great Outdoor Pursuit |
|
J |
Getting Dam Removal into the River Restoration Mix |
When is a River Not a River? When it Stops Supporting River Life! Working Together to Protect Stream Flow in RI Rivers & Streams |
Practical Solutions in Sustainable Technologies & Design |
|
K |
Protecting Farmland & Keeping it in Agricultural Production |
Farmland Protection
Discussion Group |
|
Workshop Descriptions:
Workshops – Session I 10:20 – 11:30
1-A. Working With the News Media
Chip Young (Moderator) – Communications Specialist – URI Coastal Institute
Peter Lord – Providence Journal
Bob Seay – WRNI – Public Radio
Bill Rappleye – WJAR – Television News
Learn how to work with newspaper, radio and television reporters to get your stories and messages out to the community. Join a discussion with some of the state’s leading reporters for tips about how your organization can get news coverage for your activities, what they need from you, and how you can provide it.
1-B. Making Collaborations/Partnerships Work
Deborah Linnell – Third Sector New England
Collaboration and strategic alliances are especially important in economically difficult times. We will discuss the “how tos” of partnering with other organizations in your community – from back office support to shared services and purchase agreements – so that your organizations can be more efficient and more effective.
1-C. Developing a Diverse Fundraising Program
Claudia Swain – South Kingstown Land Trust
Learn how to build your organization’s fundraising program to provide increasing operating and program revenue that enables you to better achieve your organization’s mission. Claudia will share the strategies that your organization can implement to grow your contributions.
1-D. Reintroducing the Rhode Island Association of Conservation Commissions:
Our New Website (2 sessions – continued as 2-D)
Don Gagnon – Wicked Wisdom Web Designs & North Smithfield Conservation Commission
RIAAC Board Members
RIACC, founded in 2002, is now proudly entering its seventh year. We are quite pleased with what has been accomplished thus far, but a lingering question remains: What’s missing? Join us for this two-part workshop. How can our loose grassroots network become a stronger, more cohesive, and more effective organization? See what our newly constructed website can accomplish for busy professionals and even busier commissioners. See how today’s technology can make RIACC a more effective statewide voice, resource, and organization for all of us in our local environmental efforts.
1-E. LTA Accreditation Update & Advice
Cindy Hunt-Stowell – Land Trust Accreditation Commission
Designed for land trusts considering an application for Accreditation, this workshop will focus on describing the journey and review the experiences and lessons learned from the first 39 land trusts accredited.
1-F. GIS - Guided Tour of New & User-Friendly Maps on the Internet
Greg Bonynge – URI Geospatial Extension Program
Paul Jordan – Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Simple, effective maps can be invaluable tools when developing and implementing conservation plans. This session will feature a walkthrough of new information available and easy-to-use websites featuring maps and
information that leverage the wealth of data available in RI Geographic Information System (RIGIS).
1-G. Land Conservation & Archeology
Valerie Talmage – Preserve Rhode Island
Alan Leveillee – Public Archaeology Laboratory
You are probably already protecting important archeological sites on your land trust's protected lands. Learn about the resources available to help you identify and evaluate the archeological properties you may already own and consider ideas to add archaeology to your property stewardship and interpretation programs.
1-H. What's Growing in Your River and Pond? A look at Freshwater Aquatic Invasive Species
Hope Leeson – RI Natural History Survey & Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel
Kevin Cute – RI Coastal Resources Management Council & Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel
Although aquatic plants are a beneficial component of freshwater pond ecology, the proliferation of non-native species can have a negative impact on the health and function of a water body. Generally referred to as “exotic, invasive, or weeds”, non-native plants can crowd out native aquatic plants, reducing biodiversity, a healthy mix of plants and animals, as well as harm water quality. This workshop will focus on the ecology of aquatic plants and the invasive species presently known to be in Rhode Island waters and our neighboring states.
1-I. Reading the Landscape to Plan & Maintain Trails
John Monroe – National Park Service - Rivers & Trails Program
Many towns, land trusts and watershed organizations own miles of trails but have questions about how to manage them for public use. In this workshop, learn how to make decisions by reading the landscape and considering stewardship goals. This session is highly recommended for people who’d like to participate in an outdoor, hands-on workshop in 2009 to boost trail maintenance and construction skills.
1-J. Getting Dam Removal into the River Restoration Mix
Tom Ardito – Narragansett Bay Estuary Program
Chris Fox – Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association
The Buckeyes are running! Throughout Rhode Island , local organizations are working with state and federal partners to restore fish runs. Many of these projects involve the installation of fish ladders – which allow migrating fish like herring (buckeyes) to make their way from the salt to fresh water, but leave the rivers ecologically altered by the dam. This panel will examine dam removal as another restoration alternative and share experiences from projects in Rhode Island as well as elsewhere in New England .
1-K. Protecting Farmland & Keeping it in Agricultural Production
George Mason – Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust (LCACT)
Skip Paul – Wishing Stone Farm
Ellie Kastanopolous – Equity Trust
Learn how your organization can be innovative and ensure that the farmland you protect remains in productive agricultural use and farming remains viable in your community. LCACT received LTA’s national award for its innovations - specific easement language and lease agreements with farmers - to ensure active agriculture continues on their protected lands. Skip Paul will share the farmer’s perspective of what land trusts can do to help and what practices hinder viability of farming. Ellie Kastanopolous will share a model developed in Massachusetts to protect farmland AND keep it affordable for new farmers.
Workshops – Session II 11:45 – 12:55
2-A. Using the Web to Market Your Organization
Mark Brodeur – Tourism Program, RI Economic Development Corp.
Your organization has a web site. Congratulations! Now how do you use the site to get maximum visibility for your organization and your programs? With declining state budgets, the Rhode Island Tourism program has had great success marketing the state using new technology and the web. Your organization can share this success!
2-B. Going Green: Sustaining your Environmental Organization through Volunteer Leadership
Stephany Hessler – Save the Bay
Lynne Harper – Organizational Consultant
Volunteers are the backbone of your organization – a resource and an ongoing challenge. This panel will explore why people volunteer for environmental organizations and share tips and best practices for helping volunteers move from casual participant to organizational leaders. They will also discuss how to help your volunteer boards be effective leaders and salespeople for your organization.
2-C. Using a Salesforce Database to Build Membership & Donations
“You may not know what you are missing!”
Helen Tjader – Acorn Nonprofit Solutions
Bring focus to all your organization’s outreach efforts with a Salesforce database. Combined with some easy “best practices,” track and grow your membership, volunteers and donations with this powerful and adaptable software. The Land & Water Partnership is helping local land trusts and watershed organizations adopt Salesforce – a web-based database software with free licenses for non-profit organizations. Learn how to make a transition to this cutting edge tool.
2-D. Reintroducing Rhode Island Association of Conservation Commissions – Continued - PART II
See workshop description 1-D
2-E. Upholding Conservation Permanence:
Feasibility of Conservation Defense Insurance
Kevin Case – Land Trust Alliance
While few land trusts have had to fund major litigation, your land trust may not be so lucky in the future. Easements are vulnerable to violations and frivolous law suits. Thus, the Land Trust Alliance is investigating the feasibility of insurance to cover these litigation costs. This workshop will review current challenges and costs, discuss the investigation of alternative collective defense methods and possible insurance program for land trusts’ legal defense and enforcement.
2-F. Integrating Conservation Strategies to Preserve Places & Communities
Rich Youngken – Dunn Foundation
Wendy Nicholas – National Trust for Historic Preservation
Claudia Swain – South Kingstown Land Trust
Some initiatives to protect “place” and an area’s “sense of community” are achieving success and building broad community support by combining land conservation, historic preservation, cultural preservation, and landscape protection strategies. This workshop will discuss successful projects that are integrating multiple conservation strategies (examples are from Matunuck , RI and around the nation), the membership and contributions they are growing and lessons learned that you can apply in your community.
2-G. How to Work with Municipalities to Pass Open Space Bonds
Ted Clement – Aquidneck Land Trust
Roy Najecki – Glocester Land Trust
In future years, municipal open space bonds will provide the best opportunity for funding land conservation. Since 2004, while RI voters have approved $27.5 million in state bonds for land conservation, municipalities have collectively approved over $65 million of local bonds for open space. This workshop will share experiences and strategies of Aquidneck Land Trust and Glocester Land Trust (municipal land trust) campaigns to pass local land conservation bonds in their communities. “Lessons Learned” can help your organization work with your municipality to raise funds for land conservation by passing an open space bond.
2-H. Engaging the Community with Oyster Gardening
Steve Patterson – Roger Williams University
Roger Williams University has engaged over 75 dedicated volunteers over the years to assist in restoring vital oyster habitat throughout Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island 's Coastal Ponds. Come learn about how the OGRE (Oyster Gardening for Restoration and Enhancement) Program works, what works and what hasn't in engaging volunteers. Also learn how you too can get involved in the OGRE program.
2-I. How Not to Trip-up When You are Trip-leading
Denise Poyer – Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association
A great way to engage the public in your organization is to organize hikes and paddles that showcase the natural resources of your protected lands and your watershed. This workshop will cover several safety and logistic factors to consider when putting together and leading a trip outdoors. Included will be the role of the leader, designing a trip, soliciting and screening participants, running the trip, and evaluation. Watershed organizations offering trips for the Blueways Paddle09 are strongly encouraged to attend this workshop.
2-J. When is a River Not a River? When it Stops Supporting River Life!
Working Together to Protect Stream Flow in Rhode Island ’s Rivers and Streams
Alisa Richardson – RI Department of Environmental Management
Although RI gets plenty of rain, water use in some areas of the state is straining available supplies and reducing the ecological functioning of rivers and streams. This workshop will describe the analyses that DEM is doing to calculate available water and identify watershed areas that are at risk. Management strategies for addressing water demand and balancing use with stream flow will be described using the Hunt-Annaquatucket-Pettaquamscutt watershed as a case study.
2-K. Farmland Protection Discussion Group
Ellie Kastanopolous – Equity Trust
Patrick McNiff – Casey Farm
Learn about the Equity Trust’s strategy for protecting farmland and keeping it affordable for farmers in MA. Discuss opportunities for implementing this strategy in Rhode Island . This discussion builds on Session 1-K.
Workshops – Session III 2:45 – 4:00
3-A. Navigating the New IRS 990
Cindy Hunt-Stowell – Professional Volunteer to Non-profit Organizations
Katharine G. Estes – CPA
Learn about the new 990 and how it affects your organization. Understand what the organization needs to do to file in an efficient and effective way (and stay sane whilst so doing) and how to use the 990 to improve what donors see when they are deciding to support a non-profit organization. This workshop will help you to improve your organization's approach to completing this yearly reporting requirement.
3-B. What Rhode Island River Advocates Should Know about Wild and Scenic Rivers
Rachel Calabro – Save the Bay
Steve Insana – Buckeye Brook Coalition
Few people think “ RHODE ISLAND !” when they hear about wild and scenic rivers. But the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act provides important protections for designated free-flowing rivers and should be understood by RI river advocates. Come learn about the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the criteria that must be met for designation and opportunities for funding once designated. Hear about the Taunton River (a major tributary to Narragansett Bay ) which is currently under consideration for Wild and Scenic designation and Buckeye Brook’s recent application for consideration.
3-C. Grant Proposal Writing for Small Organizations
Jonathan Howard – Cause & Effect
Grants can generate the investment capital your small nonprofit needs to support terrific programs. In this interactive workshop, we'll look at who makes grants (and why) and how to develop grant proposals that get the attention and support of prospective funders. Bring your big ideas and enthusiasm to this session.
3-D. Permanently Protecting Land in Conservation Developments
Peter Ruggiero – Ruggiero, Orton & Brochu
Ted Clement – Aquidneck Land Trust
Jennifer West – Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program
Many RI communities are using conservation developments to protect important natural areas and other open spaces during the subdivision process. Learn the best practices for keeping the protected open space portions of these subdivisions permanently protected. This workshop will discuss the proper use of conservation easements with a conservation subdivision and the need for municipalities to annually monitor these easements.
3-E. Rhode Island Stewardship Protocols and Invasive Species Management:
How Best Can the RI Conservation Stewardship Collaborative Inform Land Stewards?
Peter August – URI Coastal Institute & Conservation Stewardship Collaborative Coordinator
Scott Ruhren – Audubon Society of Rhode Island
David Gregg – Rhode Island Natural History Survey
Two focal projects of the RI Conservation Stewardship Collaborative (RICSC) are (1) developing guidelines for managing protected lands and (2) informing the conservation community of means to identify and control invasive species. The RI CSC needs your help in structuring these initiatives to be most effective for RI's land stewards. This session will be a lively discussion of what we know about these two important topics, what we don't know, what we need to know, and determine how best the RI CSC can fill the knowledge gaps.
3-F. What makes a Building “Green”? How to Review and Understand Green Development
Connie McGreavy – Conserve by Design & RI Green Building Council
Norman Cook – Architect Tonic Alchemy & RIGBC Renewable Technologies Committee
Today, any new or existing structure or development should strive to be designed with sustainability in mind. This workshop will give you an overview of green building standards, advanced building technologies and renewable energy applications. Specifically, you’ll learn how sustainable building standards are being defined by the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design “LEED” program and what constitutes best construction practices and products.
3-G. Talking with Landowners About Protecting Their Land
John Berg – The Nature Conservancy
George Mason – Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust
Now that your organization has identified its protection priorities in your community, how do you approach the owners of that land? How do you start that first conversation, and how do you build a dialogue with landowners of all kinds? This workshop will discuss strategies and approaches for developing productive relationships with land owners and their community of advisors in your effort to conserve land.
3-H. Restoring Coastal and Inland Buffers – How to take advantage of CRMC’s Coastal Landscaping
Program & DEM Restoration Resources
Caitlin Chaffee – Coastal Resources Management Council
Carol Murphy – Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Christine Caron – Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Creating and maintaining healthy buffer areas is an easy way to protect water quality and wildlife in our coastal and inland areas. This workshop will provide an overview of the suite of useful tools and resources created under CRMC’s Coastal Landscapes Program. Come learn about the Interactive Coastal Plant Database, a comprehensive on line resource for people who design, install and manage coastal landscapes; the Invasive Plant Management Certification Program for green industry professionals working in the coastal zone; and the Coastal Buffer Planting Guide. The workshop will also discuss approaches for restoring wetland and riparian buffers and DEM’s Water Quality and Wetland Restoration Team.
3-I. Connecting Your Organization to Rhode Island ’s Great Outdoor Pursuit
Steve Wright – RI Department of Environmental Management
Last summer, Rhode Island launched a very successful Great Outdoors Pursuit. Modeled in part after the Connecticut program described by Gina McCarthy at the 2007 Land & Water Summit, the Great Outdoors Pursuit is designed to encourage Rhode Island families to enjoy the recreational resources and outdoor activities our state parks have to offer, and to get moving toward a healthier lifestyle along with building the next generation of environmental stewards through hands-on educational activities. Come learn about plans for 2009 along with the celebration of the 100 years of RI State parks and how local conservation organizations can get involved.
3-J. Practical Solutions in Sustainable Technologies and Design
Bob Chew – Alteris Renewables
Kenneth J. Filarski FAIA AICP – FILARSKI/architecture. planning. research
As the cost of energy continues to rise, more and more businesses, schools and individuals are turning to sustainable technologies and ecological design principles when building or retrofitting their homes, offices and buildings. This workshop will help identify some of the leading companies in Rhode Island and Massachusetts who are making solar, wind, water and thermal energy available to the public as well as provide new ways of thinking about energy and its influence on building form. Come learn about what it takes to begin designing new construction or retrofitting your home or office with sustainable energy.
Thank You to these Lead Sponsors for the Summit !
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and the Conservation Partners |
Registration Form
Rhode Island Land & Water Conservation Summit
REGISTER ON LINE: www.landandwaterpartnership.org |
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Location: URI Memorial Union, Kingston
Registration Cost (includes lunch and breaks):
Early Registration ENDS February 27: $40 After February 27: $55
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Name____________________________ Telephone Number_____________________
Affiliation_______________________________________________________________
Land Trust ______ Watershed Council ______ Conservation Commission ______
I am a: Board Member/Trustee ________; Volunteer _______; Staff _______; Other _______
Address__________________________ Email________________________________
(Note: we need email addresses if possible so that we can send you a parking pass for the University.)
City _____________________________________________________State____Zip_________
Please add my name to the Land & Water Partnership mailing list? ____ Yes; ______ No
The Land & Water Partnership does NOT sell or otherwise share our mailing or email list.
Please enter the letter “A – J” of your first choice workshop for each session:
Session I Session 2 Session 3
_______ _______ _______
(This will help us know how many people will attend each session and schedule rooms.)
Amount Enclosed ($40.00 before February 27; $55.00 after February 27): $________
Refund Policy: registrations may be cancelled until March 12 for a fee of $5. No refunds after March 12.
Please submit your registration before February 27 if possible.
Please submit a separate registration for each person attending the Summit
Make checks payable to: Land & Water Partnership
REGISTER ON LINE: www.landandwaterpartnership.org | |
Mail registration and checks to:
RI Land & Water Conservation Summit
c/o RI Land Trust Council
159 Waterman Avenue
Providence, RI 02906
Questions/Information? Contact:
Rupert Friday, land conservation liaison email: rfriday@tnc.org; 331-7110 x 39
Meg Kerr, water conservation liaison email: megkerr@cox.net; 714-2313
