WORK IN CONSERVATION

Position: Partners in Conservation Coordinator
Organization: Kawartha Land Trust
Location: Peterborough ON, Ontario

Reports to: Director of Community Conservation
Compensation: $47,000 – $60,000 based on experience
Job Type: Full‐time, 18-month parental leave
Start date: July 1, 2024

Did you enter the conservation sector to create healthier, more sustainable landscapes? Do you want to create a future where the needs of people and nature are in better balance? Does your interest in conservation include an appreciation for community development, sustainable forestry and regenerative agriculture and not strictly natural heritage preservation and stewardship? Kawartha Land Trust is looking for a motivated and relationship minded conservation practitioner to coordinate and grow our Partners in Conservation program.

Overview

Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is a dynamic land conservation charity with an impressive track record of growth. Our mission is to care for the lands entrusted to us and help others protect the land they love in the Kawarthas. We create nature reserves for future generations by acquiring ecologically important properties and/or interests in properties. We also enhance our stewardship of the land by engaging landowners in land care initiatives through our Partners in Conservation program. Founded in 2001, KLT protects 34 properties that include more than 6750 acres of ecologically diverse lands, some of which include hiking trails that introduce thousands of people to nature in the Kawarthas every year. We have achieved our successes through the work of our dedicated and growing team of donors, volunteers and supporters. Together, we can ensure more natural spaces in the Kawarthas are preserved forever. KLT works within the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig Territory and we are dedicated to continuing to create meaningful connections and relationships with First Nations communities in our region as we build upon these connections.

Program Summary

Our Partners in Conservation program is an innovative private land stewardship support program. It utilizes a unique set of tools and approaches designed to inspire voluntary action from landowners. Our program seeks to engage landowners in believing that their land can be a force for good in the world and support them to increase that good. Over time we want the landscapes in which we deploy our resources to be the most ecologically sustainable mix of natural and working land in the province. The incumbent’s role will be to implement the program to achieve the above ambition. Working with landowners in priority regions, KLT staff and partner organizations, this position will mobilize collaborating landowners to participate in stewardship, research and protection 2 initiatives across our landscape. Strong relationship management skills are key to success in this role. The Partners in Conservation Coordinator will be working with and reporting to our Director of Community Conservation, who has built this program at KLT over the last 5 years and is excited to witness its continued growth.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Landowner Relations (50%): The success of the program depends on the coordinator inspiring and recruiting landowners to participate, and striving to maintain long‐term relationships with these landowners and their land.

• Collaborate on the design and distribution of outreach materials to recruit members
• Contact and recruit new landowners for the program
• Provide stewardship project and land advice to member landowners
• Connect landowners to relevant and applicable opportunities for information, funding, research and stewardship implementation on private lands
• Maintain landowner connection through regular contact and provide program updates annually
• Maintain a Salesforce database of landowner information and goals; track accomplishments
• Plan, host, attend community events to recruit new landowners

Property Visits and Stewardship Projects (30%): Impact depends on creating meaningful landowner property reports and facilitating stewardship projects. The coordinator will use their knowledge of the region’s flora and fauna, and stewardship practices, to provide trustworthy information and advice to landowners, and assist with stewardship project planning and implementation.

• Plan fieldwork and seasonal logistics
• Conduct property inventories to assess flora, fauna, ecological communities, natural heritage features of member properties.
• Use Arc Field Maps application for in-field navigation and data collection.
• Provide training, direction and leadership to seasonal staff, placement students, and volunteers performing inventories
• Identify and describe stewardship and restoration opportunities on natural lands. Plan for and support project implementation when applicable.
• Using an existing template (Microsoft Publisher), write reports which summarize the inventories performed
• Utilize and produce maps using ArcGIS and ArcOnline
• Manage inventory data using Microsoft Excel

Program Support (20%): The coordinator will assist in capacity building and program planning.

• Assist with program marketing and communications
• Enhance volunteer participation in the program through on‐boarding, training, and deployment of volunteers to perform work on member properties (typically inventory or stewardship work)
• Refine tools required for successful program delivery
• Track and report on program success
• Participate in funding and partnership development. Work closely with other organizations (ex. Ontario Woodlot Association, ALUS, etc) on strategic, overlapping goals.

Desired Level of Education and Experience

• A degree or diploma, or equivalent combination of other education and work experience in ecological restoration, environmental science or studies, forestry, geography, sustainability studies or related disciplines
• 5 years of professional experience that includes environmental field work with preference given to individuals with experience in the charitable land conservation sector
• Project management experience
• Knowledge of local flora, fauna, natural heritage features and experience with restoration and stewardship activities
• Experience using ESRI GIS programs
• Some experience in landowner relations, sales or member services
• Experience in the following is considered an asset
  • marketing and communications
  • sustainable forestry
  • Regenerative agriculture
  • social enterprise
• Creative, dynamic, interdisciplinary and community minded. This position will appeal to someone with an interest in community led conservation, an entrepreneurial spirit and an aptitude for working collaboratively.
• Experience managing and supervising volunteers

In addition, candidates must:

• Hold a valid G2 license and access to a personal vehicle (mileage will be compensated).
• Be prepared to work some evenings and weekends and alone in the field.

Application Process

• Your application should include a resume and a cover letter as one document, which specifically addresses how your skills and qualifications relate to the job tasks and responsibilities. Please include in your cover letter a summary of why you think the work of Kawartha Land Trust is important.
• Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.
• Send application as a PDF or Word document with the following file name format: Last Name_First Name_KLT Partners in Conservation Coordinator.
• Email your cover letter and resume in one document to Kawartha Land Trust at info@kawarthalandtrust.org by 12:00 NOON on May 6, 2024 with the subject line “Partners in Conservation Coordinator".

KLT values diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request for all aspects of the recruitment process.

Thank you for your interest in the Kawartha Land Trust. Although we appreciate all applicants taking the time to express their interest in joining the Kawartha Land Trust team, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.