Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve Regional Conservation Partnership Gathering Raising and Spending Private Dollars November 15, 2010 Tin Smith 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 Land York Land Trust Great Works Regional Land Trust Kittery Land Trust York Rivers Association York Rivers Association Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve Coalition Partners The Nature Conservancy Maine Coast Heritage Trust Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve Fundraising Efforts individual organizations and actions. Raised $1.9 million Mt. Agamenticus Conservation Initiative. Formed land protection and fundraising committees. Raised $3.2 million Mt A to the Sea Conservation Initiative: Formal coalition, expanded committees, hired joint staff. Fundraising goal of $10 million Continuing to implement conservation plan with remaining and new funds Continuing to implement conservation plan with remaining and new funds.

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve Landscape: Land use changes Land use changes Increasing awareness / concerns Increasing awareness / concerns Resource information Resource information Efforts having an impact 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 educational opportunities 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 WorkingAgreements Oversight Oversight Fiscal responsibility 80% land acquisition / 10% stewardship 6% 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

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 projects 2,676 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  Outreach  Evolving story