Dear John,

I wanted to be sure you saw Will’s note about our January Lunch & Learns! 

Rural African American communities are an important, yet understudied, aspect of Maine’s history and path to statehood. Peterborough, in the town of Warren, was once one of the largest African American communities in Maine. Dr. Kate McMahon of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture will join us to share how Amos and Sarah Peters — a Revolutionary War veteran and a freedom petitioner, respectively — built their large community in Warren and fought for their freedom and the futures of their descendants. Register here to join us on Friday!

Warmly,
Kathleen

Dear John,

We begin 2021 together with a renewed sense of the possible. A belief that we can build back better and heal together. We’re focused on Washington, with a hope that we can work together as the United States of America to act on climate, on healthcare, on systemic inequities. We’re focused on Augusta, with excitement about our  policy priorities for a new legislative session. And we’re tentatively preparing for a post-pandemic world. We know that we cannot return to the way things were but, instead, must learn from our past and build our communities back in a more equitable and sustainable manner.

Our Lunch & Learn line-up for January reflects those hopes. We hope to see you this month!

Friday, January 8, 12-1pm: 30x30: Protecting 30% of America’s Lands and Waters by 2030

• A new call to help address the biodiversity and climate crises by protecting at least 30% of Earth’s terrestrial and marine systems by 2030 (“30x30”) is gaining momentum. Dr. Lindsay Rosa, Defenders of Wildlife's Senior Conservation Scientist, will discuss the current spatial patterns in species protections and possible pathways forward in operationalizing the 30x30 effort. Dr. Rosa will also explore how Maine can help answer the call for greater biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation. This event has already happened, but you can watch the recording here!

Friday, January 15, 12-1pm: Land and Liberty: The Historic African American Community of Peterborough

• Rural African American communities are an important, yet understudied, part of Maine’s history and path to statehood. Peterborough, in the town of Warren, was once one of the largest African American communities in Maine. Dr. Kate McMahon of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture will join us to share how Amos and Sarah Peters — a Revolutionary War veteran and a freedom petitioner, respectively — built a large community in Warren and fought for their freedom and the futures of their descendants. (If Dr. McMahon’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she led a fascinating Lunch & Learn in December on Maine’s role in the global slave trade. We’re thrilled to bring her back!) Register here!

Friday, January 22, 12-1pm: Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition: A Common Agenda for the 2021 Legislative Session 

• The 2021 Legislative Session is here! Learn how Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC) is gearing up to unveil the coalition’s Climate and Environmental Agendas. The EPC is a partnership of 32 organizations working to protect Maine’s environment, public health, and climate future. Register here!

Friday, January 29, 12-1pm: What Does It Take to Change a Community? Waterville Community Land Trust and the Milliken Project

• How can we help lower income families own their homes? Can homeownership not only help families, but also revitalize neglected neighborhoods? Nancy Williams of the Waterville Community Land Trust (WCLT) will explore those questions as she discusses the Milliken Project’s targeted investment in a 20-home neighborhood. WCLT provides perpetually affordable homeownership to families earning 80% or less of Waterville’s Area Median Income. WCLT renovates homes, develops parks and community gardens, protects the historic character of neighborhoods, and works to assist residents to “green” their homes. Nancy will also discuss the wide variety of community land trusts in Maine and how they work to provide homeownership to their farming, island, and city communities. Register here!

I’m very much looking forward to continuing to spend Friday afternoons with you.

--Will