Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Regional Conservation Partnership Gathering

Raising and Spending Private Dollars

November 15, 2010

Tin Smith

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Committed to investigating coastal environments and increasing understanding of their ecology.

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

• 48,000 acre focus area

•Northern limit of southern hickory / oak / pine forest

• Southern limit of northern spruce /fir forest

• Greatest diversity of species

• Largest number of rare and endangered species

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

• Highest density of population in the state

• Least amount of conservation land

• In a state that ranks last in the nation in protected land

• 12,951 acres protected

• Coalition of 10 organizations and agencies

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Trust For Public LandYork Land Trust

Great Works Regional Land TrustKittery Land Trust

York Rivers AssociationWells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Coalition PartnersThe Nature Conservancy

Maine Coast Heritage TrustRachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Fundraising Efforts

1988-99 individual organizations and actions. Raised $1.9 million.

1999-2002 Mt. Agamenticus Conservation Initiative. Formed land protection and fundraising committees. Raised $3.2 million.

2003- 2008 Mt A to the Sea Conservation Initiative: Formal coalition, expanded committees, hired joint staff. Fundraising goal of $10 million.

2009-2010 Continuing to implement conservation plan with remaining and new funds.

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Landscape:

• Land use changes

• Increasing awareness / concerns

• Resource information

• Efforts having an impact

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Protection Priorities• Site Conservation Plans

• Contiguous forest

• Water quality & quantity

• Working landscapes

• Blandings and Spotted turtles

• Rare and sensitive habitat

• Early successional habitat

• Recreational and educationalopportunities

• Cultural and historic landscape

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Feasibility Study – 66 interviews

Strengths of the initiative

Challenges for or concerns

Overall reactions to proposed plan

Challengers for or concerns about the plan

Potential campaign leaders

Reaction to preliminary financial goals

Potential major gift donors

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Feasibility Study – 66 interviews

Philanthropic priority of this initiative

Potential for personal involvement

Personal gift level

Personal gift type

Naming opportunities

Obstacles to campaign success

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Working Agreements

Oversight

Fiscal responsibility80% land acquisition / 10% stewardship6% fundraising / 5 % capacity building

Land acquisition split into four funds; three geographic and one revolving

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Campaign Coordinator

Partners play their part

Strengths and Weaknesses

Tell a story

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

The York River watershed may well be the most ecologically and biologically diverse coastal drainage for its size in the Gulf of Maine. - Dr. Michele Dionne, Ecologist, WNERR

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Track Accomplishments

$17 million raised$ 8 million in land/easements$ 3.1 million from state and federal $ 405,000 from municipalities$ 430,000 for stewardship

45 projects2,676 acres protected

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Mount Agamenticus to the Sea 2010

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Challenges: Eye on the Prize Coalition Building Time / energy / enthusiasm Growth and change Fundraising Stewardship Mission drift OutreachEvolving story