Wednesday, October 3
Half-day Seminars
SEM-1 Preserving Family
Lands: Protecting Your Land for Future Generations CLE
Stephen J. Small
All Levels - $65/$80
Wednesday, October 3, 8:00am – 12:00pm
This seminar is designed specifically for landowners who are interested in learning how to protect their land and will also benefit newcomers to the land conservation field. Based on the Land Trust Alliance’s publication Conservation Options: A Landowners Guide (Land Trust Alliance, 1993, 2002) and Steve Small’s Preserving Family Lands books, this seminar will walk landowners through a variety of tools available to protect their land. Landowners will learn which tool(s) may help them meet their personal goals. Steve will also discuss tax incentives for private land protection and will “run the numbers” for various planning scenarios for private land protection, with particular emphasis on the new tax incentives for conservation easement donations that passed Congress last year. Following the seminar, there will be a networking luncheon for the attendees, presenter and some local landowners who have already protected their land. Seminar attendees will leave the course with a solid understanding of how they might protect their land, the benefits and responsibilities of doing so, a copy of Conservation Options: A Landowner’s Guide and a resource list of attorneys, land trusts, publications and websites for further information. (This seminar is free to landowners who are considering protecting their land.)
SEM-2 Avoiding Conflicts of Interest and Running an Ethical Land Trust CLE
David Braun , Allison Elder
All Levels - $65/$80
Wednesday, October 3, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Standards and Practices Curriculum
Land trust work is fraught with ethically gray areas. Sooner or later, every land trust will have to navigate through the sometimes complex ethical demands of our work. In this seminar, land trust staff, board members and volunteers will learn how to avoid or manage conflicts of interest and transactions with insiders, as well as consider the ethical obligations of land trust work. This is one of 15 courses being designed by the Land Trust Alliance to help land trusts implement Land Trust Standards and Practices. It will cover accreditation indicator practices 1D (Ethics), 4A (Dealing with Conflicts of Interest) and 4C (Transactions with Insiders.) Each attendee will receive a copy of Avoiding Conflicts of Interest and Running an Ethical Land Trust by Konrad Liegel.
SEM-3 Conserving Land with Low-Income Communities
Cynthia Brown , Ammie Jenkins, Monica McCann, Susan Sachs, Mikki Sager, Dannette Sharpley
All Levels - $65/$80
Wednesday, October 3, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Conservation work in low-income and minority communities requires an understanding of the social, economic and cultural issues that create barriers to traditional conservation approaches. Participants will learn about alternative conservation approaches that help address those issues while protecting important land and water resources. This workshop will include stories and case studies of successful projects and lessons learned for land trusts interested in starting or expanding conservation work in low-income communities and communities of color. Participants will learn about tools and techniques to be used, practical advice on working in partnership with diverse communities and creative approaches to funding and implementing alternative conservation approaches that address social, economic and environmental issues in low-income communities.
SEM-4 Developing Your Major Donor ProgramSOLD OUT
Ezra Milchman
All Levels - $65/$80
Wednesday, October 3, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Imagine what your organization could accomplish if it had a significant pool of consistent, annual contributors in the $10,000 to $100,000 range. Sound like a dream? The truth is that more than 80 percent of America’s $200+ billion in philanthropic giving comes from individual donors, most in the form of major gifts. The vast majority of highly effective nonprofits recognize this, and focus a large percentage of their fundraising work on major donors. A successful major donor program requires technical knowledge, personal discipline, interpersonal skills and vision. This seminar will discuss institutional readiness for a major gift program, the major gift life cycle from identification to renewal, major donor research techniques and how to evaluate giving potential and how to move a prospect from a first time membership gift to an investment that transforms your organization. Considerable time will be dedicated to sharing stories with proven scripts and techniques for successfully cultivating, soliciting and negotiating major gifts. Rally attendees have described this seminar as “a morning jolt of espresso” and “the highlight of their Rally experience” – come and be inspired to start your journey on the road to major gifts!
SEM-5 Conservation Easement
Appraisals CAE SOLD OUT
Mark Weston
All Levels - $65/$80
Wednesday, October 3, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Standards and Practices Curriculum
This session is based on Chapter 3 of the Alliance's “Tax Benefits and Appraisals of Conservation Projects,” part of the Standards and Practices Curriculum. This topic has been expanded by the chapter’s author, Mark Weston, to provide more information and opportunity for discussion. The seminar begins with an overview of what in general to expect from appraisers and appraisals, and moves quickly into a discussion of what appraisers need to deliver a product that may satisfy the regulatory overburden associated with an outright donation or bargain sale of a conservation easement. Valuation issues relating to conservation easements and IRS requirements are covered in detail. Guidelines for choosing and working with competent appraisers, issuing appraisal instructions, as well as obtaining the type of report that may satisfy the IRS are included in this presentation. Other topics include the role of the land trust in reviewing an appraisal, dealing with awkward Form 8283 issues, why appraisals cost what they do, and Yellow Book issues. The program allows ample structured time for questions and discussion of typical problems and situations that arise in valuing conservation easements.
SEM-6 Harnessing the Power of Literature for ConservationSOLD OUT
Tom Bailey, Dr. Nora Rubinstein, Mary Sojourner
All Levels- $65/$80
Wednesday, October 3, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Literature can be a powerhouse for conservation. Countless land donors, volunteers and staff members often cite environmental fiction and essays as profound influences on their involvement with the conservation movement. Prize-winning author and essayist Mary Sojourner will guide participants through the power of eco-literature to change people’s lives and teach the making of strong environmental writing. Discuss with environmental psychologist Dr. Nora Rubinstein the themes that arise from the writings and their importance for building a relationship with the landscape. Tom Bailey will explore the role of environmental writing for building stewardship and a commitment to the places we love- those that are familiar and those that are remote. We will delve into the importance of shared themes – recognition, challenge and adventure, imagination and identification, and explore how we can draw upon the literature of conservation to use images of the exotic and the familiar to solicit membership, support and stewardship. Participants are encouraged to bring photographs of beloved places and memories of precious land in danger, and can expect a good balance of knowledge sharing and hands-on writing.
SEM-7 Land Trusts and Inner City Development
William Howard, Janece Simmons
All Levels - $65/$80
Wednesday, October 3, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Long valued by rural conservationists as an effective planning tool, city planners and inner-city residents have only recently begun to recognize the power of land trusts to do for the city what they have clearly done for the countryside. Careful planning and grassroots organizing in cities lead to revitalized neighborhoods and improved quality of life among residents, as well as the potential to partner with rural and suburban entities for public policies that benefit everyone. In this session, the presenters will engage participants in active discussion about how one inner-city neighborhood took on the challenges of gentrification, poverty and a lack of involvement in local planning through the grassroots-based First Community Land Trust of Chicago.
SEM-8 Conservation Easement Permanence SOLD OUT
Laurel Florio
All Levels - $65/$80
Wednesday, October 3, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
This course will cover three topic areas: (a) the link between easement drafting, stewardship and enforcement; (b) conservation easement violations; and (c) conservation easement amendments. This session will sequentially illustrate how important every phase of a conservation easement transaction is to the actual permanence/perpetual nature of the encumbrance. From drafting clauses, to handling violations and finally to the questions surrounding amendments, this course practically applies the Land Trust Standards and Practices pertaining to ongoing stewardship and easement permanence.
Daylong Seminars
SEM-9 A Survey of Financing Strategies for Land Conservation
Tim Barnard, Story Clark
Basic - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 8:30am – 4:00pm
Land trusts often must rely partially or entirely on private funding and borrowing to finance land protection. However, many land conservation professionals have limited experience in identifying, structuring and implementing these financial strategies, particularly complex ones. This workshop will review an array of financing techniques, explain how to position an organization to increase the likelihood of financing success, and offer a selection of case studies. Each attendee will receive a copy of Story Clark’s newly released book, A Field Guide to Conservation Finance.
SEM-10 Campaign Toolkit: Creating the Case for Giving and Materials for a Major Land Acquisition Campaign
Dan DiVittorio, Donna Fletcher
Interm/Adv - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 8:30am – 4:00pm
From assessing campaign readiness, to developing the materials required for enlisting donor support, this seminar will equip participants with the knowledge, tools and confidence required to conduct a successful major land acquisition campaign. Attendees will learn how to position, communicate and graphically present their land campaigns. They will see actual campaign case studies and learn how to apply lessons learned.
SEM-11 Permanently Protecting Private Land Resources
Mike Beam, Larry Kueter, Frank O’Leary, Glenn Pauley, Rock Ringling, Lynne Sherrod, Nita Vail, Tim Wohlgenant
Interm/Adv - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 8:30am – 4:30pm
This highly interactive course will offer key strategies and techniques for working with agricultural landowners, and target issues specific to agricultural conservation easements. A comprehensive roundtable discussion will also consider organizational priorities related to project choice and stewardship goals, the role of management plans, the function of regional collaborations, advocacy policies that support this work and integrating tax benefits into conservation planning for large landscapes. An added highlight will be perspectives offered by ranchers with easements.
SEM-12 The Three-Part Planning Process: Strategic, Annual and Fundraising
Marc Smiley
Intermediate- $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 8:30am – 4:00pm
This workshop focuses on the development of the essential plans to guide a land trust to become more effective. In the morning, the workshop will focus on strategic and annual planning, with an emphasis on how groups can prepare for and implement a planning process appropriate for their needs. The afternoon will build on the morning’s training to add details about fundraising planning, a critical complement to a strategic plan. It will also define the tools and steps for creating a fundraising plan that answers how to fund the strategic plan. Focused on how to transform a fundraising program rather than meeting an annual goal, this session will provide in-depth information about fundraising strategies and steps for integrating the fundraising plan into strategic and annual plans.
SEM-13 Stewardship on Fee Lands
Steve Apfelbaum, David Borneman, Nate Fuller, Lisa Smith
Intermediate - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 9:00am – 4:30pm
This seminar will focus on the importance of fee land stewardship (Standard 12) and how to implement effective, science-based land management strategies. The group will discuss and explore the need to have well-developed goals and a clear vision of final conditions for ecological restoration, elimination of threats to ecological resources and balancing public access with ecological resource protection. Emphasis will be placed on developing science-based management plans and accessing existing information and resources that can assist in monitoring and managing conservation lands.
SEM-14 Conservation Easement Enforcement CLE
Jessica Jay
Intermediate - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 9:00am – 4:30pm
This highly interactive session will involve participants in three easement enforcement scenarios based on real-life situations, each with a different violator, violation and resolution involving negotiation, mediation and litigation. The session's emphasis will be on how to approach, evaluate and resolve various (possibly inevitable) easement violations using a variety of dispute resolution tools and balancing issues of cost, time, energy and public perception with loss of conservation values. Presenter will weave throughout the three exercises the current state of law, trends and recent developments in easement enforcement.
SEM-15 Mineral Development and Land Conservation in the Rocky Mountains CLE
Melinda Beck, Steve Boyle, Lynn Connaughton, Shannon Meyer, Jordan Vana, Zeke Williams
Advanced - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 9:00am – 4:30pm
While conservation in the Rocky Mountains continues to succeed, mineral development has increased. This seminar focuses on the effect mineral development has on conservation efforts and how land trusts can navigate through mineral issues in the Rocky Mountains and elsewhere. Presenters provide tools and checklists to analyze mineral issues and discuss specific case studies in an interactive format. The session concludes with a mineral industry panel discussing the interaction between mineral development and conservation.
SEM-16 Leadership on Global Warming and Climate Change: A Land Trust Response
Virginia Farley, Andrew Pitz,
All Levels - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Climate change caused by global warming may have wide ranging ramifications for land conservation - as both problems and opportunities. Land trusts are uniquely positioned to play a leadership role in response to this challenge due to our collaborative skills, community connections, and knowledge of ecosystems. This engaging and inspiring seminar will offer a primer on climate science as the basis for meaningful dialogue on issues related to land conservation, such as carbon sequestration, ecosystem health, severe weather events, forestry and agricultural issues, and community justice and stability. We will explore current land trust initiatives and build a basis for leadership vision and action at the individual, organizational, and community levels. Given the importance of this issue, there will be time for personal reflection and peer dialogue. Participants will receive a preparatory memo and questionnaire.
SEM-17 Conservation Easement and Fee Land Monitoring: Field Skills SOLD OUT
Shelton Douthit
All Levels - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Monitoring property is one of the most fundamental activities a land trust or natural resource management agency will perform. This seminar will review core concepts such as map reading, locating a property in the field and the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) units and will emphasize field skills, including the use of photo-point monitoring. Participants will critique actual monitoring reports and perform a series of mock potential violations. Please dress appropriately and bring a daypack; this is a field session, and all but one hour will be held outdoors.
SEM-18 Conserving Land through Planning: An Interactive Workshop
John Bernstein, Kevin Gorman, Christopher G. Miller, John E. Theilacker,
All Levels - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 9:00am – 4:30pm
This seminar will allow participants to develop strategies for addressing land-use issues in their community. Attendees will work in a hands-on, active environment to develop real solutions applicable to their particular communities. Workshop leaders will work with participants to help them evaluate existing policy tools to execute the organization's mission, understand how to create/change public policy and define existing land use policies that affect the organization's mission.
SEM-19 Introduction to Real Estate and Tax Law Affecting Conservation Transactions CLE
Paul MacDonald, Thomas Masland, Stefan Nagel, Stephen W. Swartz
Basic - $125/$155
Wednesday, October 3, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Many people active in the land trust movement have little or no actual experience with the nuts and bolts of real property and tax concepts. This seminar will give participants an intense introduction to basic real estate and tax concepts, legal elements of real estate transactions and related tax aspects. It will outline the acquisition process from property identification through title searches and related due diligence to document drafting, closing and post-closing gift substantiation. The focus will be on familiarizing attendees with the basics of routine land conservation transactions and practical advice for avoiding pitfalls. This seminar is intended for those with little or no experience in land transactions and associated tax planning.
Thursday, October 4
Half-day Seminars
SEM-20 Title Review in Land ConservationCLE,CAE SOLD OUT
Allan C. Beezley, Monica Henderson, MaryKay O’Donnell, Marie Vicek
Interm/Adv - $65/$80
Thursday, October 4, 8:00am – 12:00pm
This seminar will begin with the basics of title commitments, title insurance, types of title defects, typical exceptions to title, information to look for in a title report and advice on when a land trust should order title work. The discussion will then develop to address advanced topics in title issues and unusual situations. We will outline the due diligence requirements for land conservation transactions under Land Trust Standards and Practices, Practice 9H, Title Investigation and Subordination and will examine title commitments in detail, using real-world examples of potential problems and their solutions. This session is helpful for any land trust staff member or volunteer who has responsibility for land or easement acquisitions, and also for attorneys who represent land trusts or landowners in land conservation transactions.
SEM-21 Growing Annual Members into Major Donors SOLD OUT
Katherine Cahill, Glen Chown, David Younkman
Advanced - $65/$80
Thursday, October 4, 8:00am – 12:00pm
This session demonstrates how to identify high-potential annual members and strategically transform them into major donors. We open with a recent case study illustrating how a long-time member, giving modest annual gifts, became a seven-figure donor over time. Participants will learn how to apply specific strategic steps -- from research and qualification to solicitation and stewardship -- for making major donors out of existing members. Next, participants will break out into small groups guided by co-presenters and develop action plans for real (or fictitious) prospects from their own organizations.
SEM-22 Water Rights in Western Conservation EasementCLE SOLD OUT
Jeff Appel, Peter Dykstra, Peter Nichols
All Levels - $65/$80
Thursday, October 4, 8:00am – 12:00pm
This seminar is intended to develop participants' ability to recognize and follow good practices when including or not including water rights in conservation easements. The session will highlight current practices throughout the West, drawing from the experience of the panelists and participants. Building on this base, the seminar will develop participants' understanding of the legal and practical water issues that should be considered in a conservation easement. Finally, practitioners will take home some simple yet comprehensive tools to use for good practices, including checklists and model conservation easement deed language.
SEM-23 Working Forest Conservation Easements and Habitat Objectives
Tom Duffus, John Roe, Mark Zankel
Advanced - $65/$80
Thursday, October 4, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Can working forest conservation easements (WFCEs) do more than ensure a future source of forest products, and provide public benefits beyond scenic enjoyment and outdoor recreation? Can this tool be stretched to achieve more for wildlife, habitat and other significant ecological resources? What are the major challenges facing the utility and effectiveness of WFCEs for habitat conservation? This seminar will delve into the complex relationships among working forests, habitat conservation and easement drafting and stewardship.
SEM-24 Advanced Tax Strategies in Land Conservation TransactionsCLE SOLD OUT
William Hutton
Advanced - $65/$80 - Limited to 50 people
Thursday, October 4, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
This seminar is intended for the experienced land trust project manager or legal counsel. Your acquaintance with the basic concepts of the federal income and wealth transfer tax regimes -- including experience with an array of charitable planning mechanisms - will be presumed. Our discussions will be problem-based, covering such topics as bargain sales, potential private-benefit transactions, like-kind exchanges and condemnations, current conservation easement issues (including amendments and terminations) and land trust operational concerns (including contribution acknowledgments, transactions with "insiders" and the measure of public support). The problems will be available in advance and both preparation and participation is expected.
SEM-25 Stress Management Using Traditional Medicines and Meditations
Rose Red Elk Haywood
All Levels - $65/$80 - Limited to 50 people
Thursday, October 4, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
This seminar will incorporate Native American Plains Indian philosophy and methods for eliminating stress using techniques of medicines such as herbal teas, stones, music, breathing, visualizations, etc. We will begin by first touching on the different types of stress and comparing them from the past to current times. All attendees will be asked to participate in the 15 to 20-minute increments of various forms of meditations introduced. If you wish, you may bring your own mat, blanket or pillow – these items will NOT be provided.
SEM-26 Strategic Planning by the Numbers: Building a Financially Strong Land Conservation Organization SOLD OUT
Peter Howell, Marc Hunt
Advanced - $65/$80
Thursday, October 4, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
The most effective nonprofit organizations have learned that financial strength is vital to programmatic success. This seminar will explore analytical techniques and planning models based on familiar organizational financial statements. Relying on real-life case study examples, the aim will be to equip senior staff leadership and board members with tools and confidence to establish and evaluate financial goals and outcomes in strategic planning efforts.
Daylong Seminars
SEM-27 Successful Land Conservation Programs: Implementation of Part II of Land Trust
Standards and Practices
Sylvia Bates
All Levels - $125/$155
Thursday, October 4, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Standards and Practices Curriculum
This seminar will cover Part II of Land Trust Standards and Practices, the practices that address land transactions. Participants will receive an overview of the ethical, legal and practical issues associated with completing land conservation projects with a focus on the accreditation indicator practices. The morning session will cover standards 8 and 9, specifically how to select and evaluate the best conservation projects, the basics of how to draft and complete sound conservation easements and the recommended procedures for buying and selling land and/or easements. Standards 10 through 12 will be covered in the afternoon, and include an overview of the tax code requirements and how to plan for the perpetual stewardship of conservation easements and fee lands. Designed for staff, board members and volunteers, this seminar will be particularly useful for those land trusts that have not fully implemented Land Trust Standards and Practices.
SEM-28 Building Your Membership
Ellis Robinson
Basic/Interm- $125/$155
Thursday, October 4, 8:30am – 4:00pm
Are you ready to take your membership to the next level? This session is designed for land trust staff interested in making a good membership program even better. This lively workshop provides practical suggestions on how to increase member loyalty and involvement, encourage renewal and additional gifts, attract new members, stretch a limited budget, and get it all done without killing yourself! Learn from your peers and one of Rally’s experienced instructors. Handouts include worksheets and reference materials to put to use once you return home.
SEM-29 Events: Part of the Process, Not Just an Event
Rich Cochran, Jean Gokorsch, Leah W. Whidden
Intermediate - $125/$155
Thursday, October 4, 8:30am – 4:00pm
Events are a fundamental part of the landowner and donor cultivation process. Develop and maximize your events program by defining event objectives and learn why events are key to everything you do. We will explore how to coordinate your annual events calendar and how to make your events an economical use of your time and energy. As a group we will share our successes and discuss events that have worked and why they have been successful. We will also investigate ways to maximize the use of your volunteer and staff resources.
SEM-30 Conservation Easement Stewardship: The Key to Assuring the Promise of PerpetuityCLE SOLD OUT
Jane Ellen Hamilton, Leslie Ratley-Beach
Intermediate - $125/$155
Thursday, October 4, 8:30am – 4:00pm
Standards and Practices Curriculum
The key to assuring that conservation easements are perpetual in duration lies in how an easement is stewarded over time, and attending this course will give you the tools necessary to start an effective easement stewardship program at your land trust, or to improve an existing program so that it meets the requirements of Land Trust Standards and Practices. Emphasis will be placed on the basic principles of Practices 11A (Funding Easement Stewardship), 11B (Baseline Documentation Reports), 11C (Easement Monitoring), 11D (Landowner Relationships), and 11E (Enforcement of Easements). The seminar is intended for land conservation professionals who already have an understanding of the basics of conservation easements.
SEM-31 Land Trust Boards: Preparing for Perpetuity
Suzi Wilkins Berl, Illene Roggensack
Intermediate - $125/$155
Standards and Practices Curriculum
Thursday, October 4, 9:00am – 4:00pm
A good board is the cornerstone of a successful land trust. Participants will learn about the legal, ethical and fiduciary responsibilities of the board, its roles and other responsibilities, and the link between a strong board and conservation success, and receive practical advice on how to build a functional board. As part of the new Standards and Practices Curriculum, this seminar will address Practices 2B (Nonprofit Incorporation and Bylaws), 3B (Board Composition), 3C (Board Governance), and 3F (Board Approval of Land Transactions).
SEM 32 Advocating for Success: How Do I Get There From Here?
Reeves Brown, Bettina Ring
All Levels- $125/$155
Thursday, October 4, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Everyone advocates for something. Are you effective and is it time well spent? This interactive course will aid in understanding the political and cultural climate, which provide opportunities and challenges for the cause of land protection, and how and why it can be incorporated into your overloaded schedule. It will also address cultivating and maintaining effective relationships with both policymakers and the media. You will be armed with a personalized action plan, and learn the necessary skills for advocacy and organizational messaging conducive to conservation at the local, state and national levels.
SEM-33 Selling and Transferring Land and Conservation Easements
Peg Kohring, Jane Prohaska
All Levels- $125/$155 – Limited to 35 people
Standards and Practices Curriculum
Thursday, October 4, 9:00am – 4:00pm
From time to time, a land trust may need to sell or transfer its land or conservation easements. But how do you ensure that the land’s conservation values are protected once it leaves your control? Take this course to learn how to fulfill your obligations to your donors and to the land. You will learn how land trusts manage sales and/or transfers of land or conservation easements to insiders, including how they manage marketing properties for sale (when and how to market, restrictions imposed, etc.). This course will provide an overview of the ethical considerations and technical steps involved in selling and transferring lands or interests in land held by the organization. It covers the accreditation indicator practices 4C (Transactions with Insiders), 9K (Selling Land or Easements) and 9L (Transfers and Exchanges of Land).
SEM-34 Building Your Leadership Skills: Essential Tools for Community Organizers SOLD OUT
Dan Schwab
All Levels- $125/$155 - Limited to 35 people
Thursday, October 4, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Leadership competency requires the lifelong development of a set of learnable skills and behaviors that can be mastered and applied by any member of an organization. This seminar provides an in-depth exploration of research findings on the five practices of exemplary leadership. We will focus on assessing and building on your current skill level, and practical application of these skills in everyday conservation work. Attendees will assess their current skills against a research-based competency model and learn how to apply these skills to current situations in their land trust work.
SEM-35 Planning & Managing Conservation Easements: The Legal Perspective CLE SOLD OUT
Rob Levin, Karin Marchetti Ponte
All Levels - $125/$155
Thursday, October 4, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Over the past decade, most of our earlier conservation easement properties have changed ownership. In many of these situations, the second- and third-generation owners are exercising long unused reserved rights to their full extent. This dynamic has given land trusts the opportunity to see the challenges and true cost of managing our conservation easements over time. This seminar will focus on the legal issues that come with full build-outs of conservation easements and second- and third-generation landowners, including notification and approval procedures, amendment requests and resolution of violation threats. The session also addresses conservation easement design strategies to help achieve the conservation goals without overburdening the land trust. The seminar is designed for land conservationists who have a significant role in negotiating, drafting and/or managing conservation easements.
SEM-36 It Takes a Forest to Grow a City: Neighborhood Revitalization and the Role of Urban Conservation
Marcia Caton Campbell, Heather Mann
Advanced - $125/$155
Thursday, October 4, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Urban communities do not have the luxury of conserving land in advance of development; environmental injustice is widespread in America’s cities. While often perceived as problems, departing populations and contaminated lands provide fresh opportunity for neighborhood revitalization. Now, urban planning, urban forestry and conservation skills blend to create a comprehensive strategy for retrofitting open space into the built environment. Active learning in this seminar will include presentations, individual analysis and group land-use planning exercises.
SEM-37 Strategic Conservation Planning
SOLD OUT
Ole M. Amundsen III
All Levels - $125/$155
Thursday, October 4, 9:30am – 5:00pm
Strategic conservation planning is a process that identifies, prioritizes, pursues and protects those specific tracts of land that will most effectively achieve the land trust's mission and conservation objectives. The training topics will include: exploring why strategic conservation is vital for successful land trusts; learning the major components of a successful planning process; assessing your organization’s readiness for developing such a plan; and investigating various methods and decision-aiding tools, such as focus areas and project selection criteria, used in crafting conservation plans (both high-tech and low-tech approaches). The relationship between planning practices and Land Trust Standards and Practices 8A Focus Areas and 8B Project Selection and Criteria will be explored. Course materials include an extensive student guide, featuring additional exercises, case studies, self assessments, checklists and sample documents.
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