TNC ME Campaign Impact Report 2024 - Flipbook - Page 2
The Nature Conservancy in Maine and
Maine College of Art & Design continue
to partner through a program created with
MECA’s Artists at Work team. Each year,
TNC works with a new graduate from the
MECA Illustration department to create
original work for TNC’s annual campaign
report. Bella May, a 2024 graduate
from MECA, is this year’s TNC Summer
Illustration Fellow. In a similar program,
Clark Tate has joined us as this year’s
Documentary Storytelling Fellow. In this
year-long role, Clark is documenting TNC’s
work through original photographic, video
and audio assets to build awareness and
inspire support for a thriving natural world.
Clark graduated from the Salt Institute for
Documentary Studies at Maine College of
Art & Design in 2022.
ILLUSTRATOR BIO
Bella May is an illustrator based in Portland,
Maine and a 2024 graduate from Maine
College of Art and Design. Bella’s work has
a rustic and traditional style with hints of
humor; primarily working with pen and ink, in
black and white, or with muted color washes.
Editorial illustration allows Bella to connect
directly with stories and research found
within communities. Bella loves connecting
directly with the people in Maine, drawing
influences from local artists, shops, sites,
and friends. If you want to see more of the
work Bella gets into, follow Bella.May.Art on
social media or check out bellamayart.com!
As we enter the final few months of our
Join Maine campaign, I am so delighted
to share this update about some of the
climate-connected conservation work
you are supporting.
We have a lot of news to
share, so for this year’s
report I am featuring a few
stories that exemplify the
type of ingenuity, collaboration,
and partnership it takes to develop lasting conservation results.
As you’ll read, in the Gulf of Maine, our team is working with
fishermen to test whale-friendly lobster gear and with regulators
to plan offshore wind development. In Aroostook County and
beyond, we’re partnering with tribal governments, municipalities,
private landowners, and state agencies to help waterways flow
freely. Throughout the state, we’re working to conserve priority
lands—and to make our current preserves more resilient to the
effects of climate change.
You make this possible!
In response to the amazing public funding opportunities that are
turbo-charging conservation initiatives throughout the state,
this past year we increased our total campaign goal from $130
million to $200 million. By the end of this campaign, every dollar
from an individual donor will be matched 1:1 by public funds! And
speaking of matching opportunities, thanks to the generosity
of a former trustee, any donations from new supporters will be
doubled through the end of the campaign--so this is the perfect
time to share your love of TNC Maine with a friend. We’ve
already raised $177 million toward our goal, and with your help we
can meet our ambitious goals to help people and nature thrive.
Your support is fostering creativity throughout the state and
among donors like you! Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kate Dempsey
TNC Maine State Director
