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Recognizing & Conserving a Central Maine Treasure. Question. How can Friends of Unity Wetlands transition to its new name – Sebasticook Regional Land Trust – without losing our existing successes and support?. Mission.
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Question How can Friends of Unity Wetlands transition to its new name – Sebasticook Regional Land Trust – without losing our existing successes and support?
Mission To recognize and conserve Central Maine’s rich wild and working landscape through land protection and public education. A conservation priority within this region is the Unity Wetlands Focus Area.
Our Programs • Land Protection & Stewardship • Conservation of working farms & forests, and critical habitat • Local stewards for federally-protected lands • Education • Nature-based programs for all ages • Speaker series and workshops for adults • Public Outreach • Working to raise public awareness and support
FUW History • 2004 – FUW founded • Facilitated process to decide name • 2005-2008 – growth in staff, responsibilities, programs • 2500 acres conserved, $1.5m raised • Oct. 2009 – New name & service region adopted (internally) for 2010 rollout • Lengthy process to select name and conservation priorities within larger region
Friends of Unity Wetlands – why it doesn’t work • Public doesn’t understand: • geographic extent of our work • diversity of land we care about • nature of the work we do • Towns outside of Unity feel excluded
Finances Annual Budget: $389,420
Sebasticook Regional Land Trust:The Opportunities More clearly states what we do, and where we do it Name is more relevant to a greater number of people Sebasticook River restoration is attracting national attention Improves our standing throughout the Sebasticook watershed
Sebasticook Regional Land Trust:The Challenges • How do we make sure public and supporters know name change is result of successful growth? • Need to inspire confidence, not signal that something is wrong • How do we reach new supporters in • Broader region encompassed within the new name? • Across the state?
Toolbox Partners Others • Maine Land Trust Network • Maine Farmland Trust • Media • Community organizations (not yet identified) • ??? Resources • Budget Allocation • Board & Staff • Web site • Newsletters
What Would Success Look Like? FUW evolves into the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust, retaining all the traditional income sources while gaining new contributors and program participants, and expanding our programs accordingly.
Question How can Friends of Unity Wetlands transition to its new name – Sebasticook Regional Land Trust – without losing our existing successes and support?