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.

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. 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. 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)

Michelle Byers and Alison Mitchell 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.