Tax Incentive & Farm Bill Updates, Save $60 on Rally

As Congress heads out for August recess, we want you to have the latest news on the easement incentive and the Farm Bill. Following those brief updates, we hope you'll check out our comprehensive look at Rally 2012's policy offerings. Register by Friday to save $60!

Enhanced Easement Incentive Survives in Senate "Extenders" Bill

Today, the Senate Finance Committee approved the Family and Business Tax Cut Certainty Act, following through on a promise to take a critical look at the "tax extenders" by leaving a quarter of those provisions on the cutting room floor. It's a testament to your hard work that the enhanced easement incentive survived in this package, along with the s-corporation donation incentive and IRA charitable rollover, which we also support. The extension would last two years -- January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. Today's bill is the opening volley of a lengthy negotiation and we will keep you posted. The best way you can demonstrate support is by seeking Senate co-sponsors for S. 339, our stand-alone easement incentive bill.

Farm Bill Supporters Block Short Term Extension

Contrary to our initial take last week, the House's 1-year Farm Bill extension/drought relief bill was not designed to facilitate agreement with the Senate, and it cut conservation to pay for that relief. The Alliance signed a letter of opposition, joining a chorus of voices that ultimately killed the extension proposal and seem to have galvanized support for completing a 5-year Farm Bill in September. Moments ago, the House passed a stand-alone drought relief bill. That bill is funded by cuts to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which we oppose, but the easement programs are spared. Read more.

Register by Friday to Save $60 and Explore 24 Policy Events at Rally

Rally 2012 in Salt Lake City, UT, September 29 - October 2 is the Land Trust Alliance's national conference -- and it provides key opportunities to advance your land trust's advocacy skills. Learn how to tap new federal funding for land conservation, and network with your peers about important policy opportunities and problems. We realize budgets are tight, but if you could use some help from a government partner, now is the time to learn how to get it. Register by tomorrow, Friday, August 3 to save $60 and book our discounted hotels before they fill-up.

A Key Seminar: Advocating for Conservation

Saturday, September 29, 9:00am - 5:00pm
$150 (member) / $180 (non-member)
Sticker shock? Stipends may be available. Contact policy@lta.org.

Everyone advocates for something. Are you effective and is it time well spent? This highly interactive course addresses the political opportunities and challenges facing land conservation. You will leave armed with an action plan and the necessary skills for building relationships with public officials and the media at the local, state and national levels. Case studies from across the country will help shed light on what works, what doesn't, and why.

A Policy Offering for Every Time Slot

Looking beyond the Public Policy track there are at least two dozen sessions at Rally related to Public Policy. The following are just a few highlights of sessions we hope you’ll find worthwhile:

• Review the Alliance's policy work -- and guide its future at the Public Policy 2012 Update and 2013 Forum: Workshop D18, Tuesday, Oct 2, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
• The annual Working With the IRS panel discussion: Workshop C16, Monday, Oct 1, 3:30-5:00 pm
• Two workshops discussing farm bill conservation, including a presentation by NRCS leadership and a roundtable discussion
• Workshops about securing public funding at the federal, state, and local levels
• Sessions to promote economic benefits and counter fears and myths about land conservation

See you in Salt Lake City!

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