Save the Enhanced Easement Incentive

Ten Ways You Can Help Right Now

1. Ask your Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 1964

Urge your Representative to co-sponsor the Conservation Easement Incentive Act, H.R. 1964, by calling Lori Prater (5-4315) in the office of Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA)  or Carla McNiell (5-3311) in the office of Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA).
). Click here for fact sheets.

2. Ask your Senators to co-sponsor S. 339

Urge your Senators to co-sponsor the Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act, S. 339, introduced by Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) by calling Tiffany Smith (4-4515) at the Senate Finance Committee. Click here for fact sheets.

3. Call co-sponsors, thank them for being part of our majority and urge them to get the bill passed this year

Even if you've previously thanked your Rep, it's important to tell co-sponsors about our House majority and the fact that we now have more co-sponsors than any other bill!   They won't know about it unless you tell them, and we need our champions to know we're serious about making the incentive permanent this year.  Please explore our dozen ways to say thank you.

4. Ask your Rep. to personally weigh in with Ways & Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp or Ranking Democrat Sander Levin

We're fortunate that Ways & Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Ranking Democrat Sander Levin (D-MI) are both co-sponsors of H.R. 1964, but we need for them to repeatedly hear about it from their colleagues to keep it atop their long lists of priorities.  If your Representative is enthusiastic about the incentive, he or she could make a huge difference by weighing in personally with leadership and encouraging them to make it permanent this year.

5. Thank co-sponsors publicly!

A public thank you can create a lasting impression!  Try sending a press release, a letter-to-the-editor or running a story in your newsletter.  You could also offer to draft a joint op-ed or a piece on the incentive for their constituent newsletter.

6. Host a public education forum

A public education forum is a great way to spread the word to landowners and yet another opportunity to thank your Representative with some good press.  Landowners may be the focus, but don't forget to invite public officials and the media.  We've created a suite of tools for hosting a forum in the grassroots toolkit.

7. Invite your Members of Congress to visit a conserved property and meet landowners who need the incentive

Members of Congress spend much of the year in their districts meeting with constituents, engaging the local press, and being seen in their communities. There simply is no better way to get extended face time and make a lasting impression than with a site visit or another creative event when your Members of Congress are home in the district. Click here for a comprehensive guide and templates for hosting district events. 

8. Share success stories with your Congressional Delegation

Get in the habit of sending press clips, pictures and testimonials to Congressional staff using our template email.  When you do, please CC policy@lta.org so we can add your success stories to our gallery as well.

9. Ask your Representative to join the Land Conservation Caucus

The Land Conservation Caucus hosts briefings to educate Members about land conservation issues. To join the Caucus, Members of Congress may contact Jesse Young in the office of Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Maya Hermann int he office of Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Lauryn Schothorst in the office of Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA), or Ben Stoltzfoos in the office of Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA).  Click here for more information.

10. Sign up for ADVOCATES e-mail alerts

Be the first to know about important policy developments and how you can help. Click here to sign-up for our action alerts for insiders which come out every few weeks.

Want those nifty buttons from Rally?

The "I Called My Rep!" buttons from Rally 2011 are a great way to reward engagement at your next board meeting, volunteer day or public education forum. Please let us know if you'd like to order a batch. They're free!

Need more information?

Please don't hesitate to contact Public Policy Specialist Sean Robertson at 202-638-4725 x319 or srobertson@lta.org.