Congressional Event Success Stories
Hosting a site visit, media event, award presentation or similar gathering with your Member of Congress is one of the best ways to build a relationship you can call on time and again. This page features a selection of successful events for legislators hosted by land trusts around the country. Click here for a guide to hosting an event of your own.
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) held an event urging passage of the Farm Bill at Engle Ridge Farms in Grand Traverse County. The Farm is protected by easements held by the local township and the state government with funds from the Farm and Ranch land Protection Program. In her remarks, the Senator discussed substantial reforms made to the bill: “The 2013 Farm Bill will reform agriculture programs to save taxpayers billions of dollars while helping Michigan farmers and small businesses create jobs. I'm proud that the Agriculture Committee was once again able to work across the aisle to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, and it's time for Congress to do the same." She was joined by staff of Leelanau Conservancy, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, American Farm Bureau Federation and local owners of protected farmland.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT)
Aspetuck Land Trust hosted Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) at its Trout Brook Valley preserve as part of the Congressman’s 17 Towns in 17 Days Tour. With Executive Director David Brant, Rep. Himes strolled amongst apple trees in the 1,009 acres and picked blueberries while learning about the land’s importance as a natural resource for the region. The Congressman was amazed at the scope and breadth of Trout Brook Valley, one of the largest preserves in Connecticut. David and the Congressman stayed well under the two-quart picking limit! A local news station ran a brief piece on the Congressman's visit providing him a great news opportunity while also lending his credibility to the land trust's work. See the clip and other pictures on Aspetuck Land Trust's blog.
Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO)
The Montezuma Land Conservancy invited House Agriculture Committee member Scott Tipton (R-CO) to visit the ranch of Brent and Jean Alexander alongside Chicken Creek in Colorado's Mancos Valley. The Alexanders told the Congressman about how a conservation easement, funded in part by the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, helped them keep the ranch intact and in production. The ranch is stunning, especially in the early spring with dozens of newborn Black Angus calves dotting its lush green fields set against a backdrop of the La Plata Mountains. The visit clearly left an impression, as Congressman Tipton subsequently joined with colleagues to champion $1.58 billion for ag easements in the 2012 Farm Bill.
Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY)
New York's Columbia Land Conservancy recently met with House Agriculture Committee member Chris Gibson and his district director to discuss several on-going projects in his home county. The highlight was a visit to the Triple Creek Farm, where a pending farmland easement, in partnership with Scenic Hudson, would help farmer Rick Skoda reduce debt and invest in infrastructure for the future. This, and another recent visit with the board of the Agricultural Stewardship Association, helped to demonstrate the strong connection between conservation and economic development, both through farming and tourism. Congressman Gibson went on to become one of the leading advocates for the new Agricultural Land Easements program in the 2012 Farm Bill.
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy invited Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to tour a protected farm in Acme Township and celebrated her leadership in securing a FRPP grant to protect three additional farms. The Senator seemed very moved by farmer Ken Engle’s story of how his family came to permanently protect their farm through a bargain-sale arrangement that utilized the enhanced tax incentives. In fact, she would like for Ken, who recently joined the Conservancy’s board, to come and testify at a hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which she now chairs.
Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA)
Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County Lands Trust, Natural Lands Trust and Brandywine Conservancy recently hosted a press event at a conserved farm, honoring Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-PA) for introducing the Conservation Easement Incentive Act (H.R. 1964). They made a lasting impression by securing front page coverage that featured Congressman Gerlach picking blueberries, being praised by conservationists, getting a blueberry pie and hearing the brew master of Victory Beer speak about how important conservation is to the clean water his business depends on. Click here for photos, video and coverage of the event.
Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
In April, Senator Michael Bennet came to Palisade, Colorado, to celebrate the closing of five Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) easements on peach orchards—-an event organized by Mesa Land Trust. The flowering peach trees made a great background for the event, caught by TV cameras and newspaper photographers, along with happy farmers, neighbors, municipal officials and land trust supporters. Senator Bennet, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Conservation Subcommittee, went on to champion several land trust amendments to the 2012 Farm Bill. Read more about this event in Saving Land magazine.
Rep. Nan Hayworth (R-NY)
Scenic Hudson hosted a very positive and well received tour of Hudson waterfront sites with freshman Rep. Nan Hayworth (R-NY). They were joined by the Andy Chmar of Hudson Highlands Land Trust, representatives from local government, and construction workers at one of their park development sites, driving home the message that conservation helps to create good local jobs. They went out of their way to thank the Congresswoman for her work on Conservation Easement Incentive Act and Highlands Conservation Act, thanks that were repeated in local press coverage of the event. Rep. Hayworth returned to Long Dock Park in early July for the official ribbon cutting and park opening.
Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
Centre County Farmland Trust, a small volunteer-led land trust, invited Congressman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) to their Farmland Preservation Celebration in March 2011. They presented him with a painting of a historic barn, and he was both pleased and impressed. As it turns out, Congressman Thompson will play a lead role in shaping the next Farm Bill, so this land trust may help bring a billion dollars to land conservation. Click here for photos, video and coverage of the event.
Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX)
El Paso’s Frontera Land Alliance and Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition have organized a series of events to cultivate a relationship with Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) who sits on the Armed Services Committee. The two groups’ long-term goal is to convince the Army to add its 11-square-mile closed artillery property (Castner Range) to the Franklin Mountains State Park, the nation’s largest park within city limits. At its 2010 annual donor-appreciation dinner, Frontera presented the Congressman with an award honoring his successful efforts to secure funding for a study of ways to achieve a conservation conveyance and apply it to Castner. Later that summer they made the project personal by inviting the Congressman, his wife and three of their grandchildren to participate in a clean-up near the park’s entrance.
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Piedmont Environmental Council and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation held an event for Rep. Cantor at a family-owned Christmas tree farm in his district and presented him an award thanking him for cosponsoring easement incentive legislation last year. He agreed to become the lead Republican this year’s legislation on-the-spot. Pictured, from left to right: Tony Vanderwarker, Chair of the Board of PEC, Robert Lee, Executive Director of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, Tom and Donna O’Halloran, Russell Shay, Director of Policy for the Land Trust Alliance, and Rep. Eric Cantor.
Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
To celebrate Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick's leadership as an original co-sponsor of the Conservation Easement Incentive Act, Heritage Conservancy, Bedminster Regional Land Conservancy, and Tinicum Conservancy hosted a press conference for the Congressman at Aldie Mansion. Rep. Fitzpatrick's office handled much of the legwork, and while simple to put together, the event secured several good stories in local papers. More.
Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ)
New Jersey Conservation Foundation hosted a luncheon to honor a lifetime of conservation leadership by retiring Congressman Jim Saxton (R-NJ). “Today is a topper,” said Saxton after accepting a framed print from New Jersey's conservation community. “It’s been one of the highlights of my life, to be here with you.” Click here for a press release.
Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX)
Ways & Means Committee member Sam Johnson and his staff had nice visit to the office of Connemara Conservancy, where they met with land trust staff to discuss land protection work in North Texas. He announced that he would co-sponsor the easement incentive and offered to contact other North Texas representatives. It was just an easy to arrange office visit, but his staff sent out a press release that got favorable coverage for both the Congressman and the land trust. More.
Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC)
In early 2008 land trust for Central North Carolina persuaded Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) to spend an entire afternoon visiting several of their projects in his district. They also persuaded Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) to attend their biggest fundraising event of the year.
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ)
In August, the Passaic River Coalition honored Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) with a press conference at the Great Falls of the Passaic River. There may not be an easement in his largely urban district, but the river (and the water that Congressmen Pascrell’s constituents drink) comes from the New Jersey Highlands, where its watershed faces incredible development pressure. “Congressman Pascrell has always been a strong advocate for our rivers. It’s good to know that when we call in the future, he’ll remember this event and the broader issues we discussed,” said Ella Filippone, Executive Administrator of the Passaic River Coalition.
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
Three of New Mexico's six land trusts prepared an award presentation for Finance Committee Member and Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). While the Senator was called back to Washington on short notice, his staff accepted the award on his behalf and promised to arrange a future visit with the Senator on conserved land.
Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA)
The Brandywine Conservancy honored Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) for co-chairing the land conservation caucus and helping to renew the tax incentive for conservation easements. Executive Director Sherri Evans-Stanton and Wendell Fenton, president of the conservancy's Board of Trustees, presented Pitts with a plaque during a brief ceremony on the 164-acre property of Cuyler and Katie Walker which was put under easement thanks to the incentive. Click here for a news story.
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
In early 2009, Alison Mitchell and Amy Hansen of New Jersey Conservation Foundation thanked Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) for his help in securing an extension of a the easement incentive with an award presentation in his office. Click here for their press release.
Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)
In Wisconsin, the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Gathering Waters Conservancy invited Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) to tour the 425-acre farm of James and Janice Brady, protected by a conservation easement the Bradys donated in 2006. “I care deeply about continuing to farm my land and preserving the natural beauty of the land,” Mr. Brady told the Congressman, “but I simply could not have afforded to donate without the tax benefits provided by this measure.”
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
Wilmington Public Radio reported on an event hosted by the Brandywine Conservancy on the property of the Riegel family in Wilmington. Senator Carper proudly accepted an award thanking him for his support for the easement incentive. Carper says, he is excited to receive this award, but it is really for his staff and colleagues in congress and colleagues in Delaware. Carper adds, each year, farmers and other private landowners use this important conservation tool to permanently protect more than a million acres across the nation.
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Alison Mitchell and Amy Hansen of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation opted to thank Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) for cosponsoring S. 469 with a simple award presentation in his Newark office. This event was relatively easy to arrange and they anticipate the Senator will remember this gesture when they ask for his help next year. Click here for their press Release.
Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH)
Jo Ann Barefoot board chair of The Nature Conservancy in Ohio who knows Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH) well presented him an award thanking him for cosponsoring the easement incentive. He was clearly appreciative and the occasion allowed them to ask him to support congressional radification of the Great Lakes-St Lawrence River Basin Compact and State Issue 2, the continuation of the Clean Ohio bond fund which funds, among other things, preservation of river corridors and passive parks.
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Cascade Land Conservancy President Gene Duvernoy presented an award to Ways & Means Committee member Jim McDermott (D-WA) in his Seattle office. While the award thanked him for cosponsoring the easement incentive, this meeting proved an excellent opportunity to discuss forest conservation bonds, another issue before the committee.
Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-NY)
Western New York Land Conservancy invited Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-NY) to an event celebrating the closing of a farmland protection project in his district. The Congressman was unable to attend but a member of his staff attended to accept an award on his behalf.
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI)
While Rep. Dingell himself was unable to attend, a member of his staff, Andy LeBarre (left), attended a cellebration of Legacy Land Conservancy's 38th anniversrary, and accepted the award on his behalf. Land Trust Alliance president Rand Wentworth (center) and Legacy Land Conservancy's board president, Guy O. Williams (right), presented the award on behalf of Heart of the Lakes Conservancy.
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Rep. Holt spent a morning participating in a D&R Greenway Land Trust volunteer event during the Congressional recess in August 2012. This picture shows him taking a break with a fellow volunteer while removing the invasive autumn olive at Cedar Ridge Flagship Preserve. Yes, he even brought his own chainsaw! Rep. Holt cosponsored H.R. 1964 in the 112th Congress and is a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)
Sen. Udall visited the Rio Grande River in July 2011 to admire recent restoration and conservation projects along the river in southwestern Colorado. The 'Rio Grande Initiative' is a partnership between the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project. This Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) project includes active grazing on the property to improve the health of the land and water quality. The Rio Grande was recently chosen by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper to be one of America's Great Outdoors pilot projects. Sen. Udall co-ponsored of S. 339 in the 112th Congress.
Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA)
Rep. Mike Thompson showed off the result of his 'advanced' shooting skills at the Aim for Agriculture and Open Space Sporting Clay Shoot hosted by the Solano Land Trust in August 2011. SLT Executive Director Nicole Byrd was the winner of the dubious "Duck and Cover" Award. Congressman Thompson is a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, and has introduced the enhanced easement incentive legislation in the past three Congresses.
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