October 2017 Newsletter
 
10th Private Lands Partners Day in Maine brings 200 to Bangor

Landowners and conservation partners from Maine and from around the country came together in early October to hear about collaborative efforts to sustain ecologic systems, economies and communities both in Maine and New England but also in landscapes from Virginia to Oregon. Over two days, attendees were able to tour collaborative efforts in Maine's North Woods which included such efforts such as fish passage and working forest conservation easements. Thanks to all the organizations and individuals who made this year's event possible with special recognition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, co-host Keeping Maine's Forests and all the sponsors and supporters.
Lynn Scarlett's Closing Remarks Private Lands Partners Day 2017

What a privilege it has been to join the Partners for Conservation in Bangor, Maine, for this 10 th annual meeting. I recall the 1 st meeting ten years ago and marvel at how far the organization has come. As we end the conversation today, I would like to offer some words of celebration. I see so many friends here, and have listened to so many inspiring stories. These stories make my heart sing!

While I was at the Interior Department (in the GW Bush Administration), at the debut of the Partners launch, I had a chance to visit farms, ranches, and forests. I loved these visits.
Yes, I saw many folks lending caring hands to the landscape—in partnerships, both public and private. I also saw the fabric of communities—and folks that help these communities thrive. I saw innovation, tireless work, the inspiring sophistication of landowners linking science to action—and applying savvy business practices.
Above all, I saw civility, neighborliness, and…basic goodness. I am reminded of the words of Abraham Lincoln, who pointed, during very trying times, to what he called “the better angels of our Nature.” 

I think those gathered exemplify these better angels of our Nature. Thank you! You restore my rose-colored glasses (and they had begun to become cloudy amid all the cacophony of headlines around the globe and in our own backyards) You restore my rose-colored glasses, for which I am deeply grateful

I will end with the words of poet Wallace Stevens, who wrote: “Perhaps real truth resides in a walk around the lake.” That connection to the lands helps us pinpoint the possible; from that connection springs knowledge of the textures and rhythms of a place. And from that connection to place springs the passion for action.

Lynn Scarlett is Co-Chief External Affairs Officer Officer for The Nature Conservancy and was key to the first Private Lands Partners Day
4th Biennial American Grasslands Conference November 14-16!

America’s Grasslands Conference: United for Conservation  will bring together natural resource managers, ranchers, policy experts, conservationists, and researchers to discuss the conservation of North America’s grasslands, with a particular focus on collaborative partnerships to conserve grasslands. This year’s conference program will feature over 60 speakers, optional field trips to explore local grasslands with experts, roundtable discussions on timely issues related to grassland conservation, posters on cutting edge research and projects, and much more. Topics at this year’s conference will include: success stories of partnership efforts to conserve grasslands, maintaining healthy grasslands for grazing, grasslands in federal policy, landscape level planning for grassland conservation, grassland-dependent wildlife, pollinator conservation, and many more exciting topics. Find out more information about the conference at the conference website , i ncluding information on field trips, lodging, exhibitors, and more.
Landowner Panel at SEAFWA, Louisville, Kentucky October 30th

Partners for Conservation will be part of a symposium at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies meeting in Louisville, KY on Monday October 30 more information here (S-02)
A NOTE FROM THE CHAIR

Hello from Montana! Thankfully the fires in this part of the world abated long enough for my son to travel with me to join almost 200 other folks from around the country at the 10th Annual Private Lands Partners Day in Bangor, Maine earlier this month, We got to see and hear about some of the great partnership efforts that have been getting conservation and forestry work done in Maine for some time. Maine’s unique partnership amongst North Woods landowners, including both family-owned and corporate-owned timberland, public agencies and conservation groups, and natural resource based recreational interests as well as the associated industries and others that depend on this landscape has in no small measure contributed to a strong preference and support for public private partnerships. We also got to hear about some great work that is going on around the country. One challenge that was evident, both from the presentations and looking around the room, was that agriculture, forestry and conservation are all facing the same challenge, transferring knowledge, land ownership and a partnership focus to young people. Getting young people involved with what we are doing at Partners for Conservation is near the top of our to do list for next year and the next 10 years!

Yours in Conservation
Jim Stone
Ovando
In Memory of Jed Wright

On October 6th the conservation community in Maine lost an inspiring leader and conservation partner. In addition to his accomplishments on the ground in Maine, Jed was instrumental in getting the 10th Annual Private Lands Partners Day to Maine and the leader in the organization and delivery of the meeting, Read more about Jed's life and legacy here .
 
ABOUT PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION

Partners for Conservation (PFC) is a private landowner-led organization which communicates and collaborates on conservation partnerships for working landscapes to benefit present and future generations. 
Consider Joining Partners for Conservation
 
Consider becoming a member of Partners for Conservation. Partners for Conservation works to support collaboration and public-private partnerships as the first choice for conserving our national working landscapes for people and nature. More information on membership can be found on our website. 
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