Policy Toolkit

Grassroots Toolkit: Spread the News of the Easement Incentive

We have two more years to prove just how effective the tax incentive for conservation easements can be! This is a tremendous opportunity for us to educate potential donors, elected officials and the media about our conservation work, the enhanced conservation tax incentive, and the accountability that comes with it.  This is also an important first step to making the incentive permanent.

The Alliance has created this Grassroots Outreach Toolkit to assist our member land trusts with that education.  The toolkit provides the information needed to reach out to key audiences in a timely, cost-effective way.

Publicize the Incentive via the Media and Your Newsletter

• Talking Points on the extended tax incentive
• A template press release announcing and thanking congress for the renewed incentive
• A template newsletter article for your next publication and/or website
• A sample letter to the editor
• A sample op-ed for your local newspaper
  
  

Thank Congress for Renewing the Easement Incentive

•  A sample thank you from your organization to Members of Congress
  
• A sample thank you letter for your easement donors to send to their representatives
  
  

Share the News with Potential Easement Donors

• Download the Conservation Tax Incentive Brochure--In early August we'll send 20 copies to every land trust with more than 1 easement and any others who e-mailed Policy@lta.org by July 25th. Additional copies will be available shortly for purchase on our publications page.
• A sample two-page fact sheet for easement donors
  
  

Host an Event to Inform Potential Easement Donors

• Tips for hosting a local public education event
• A sample event flyer
• A sample event media advisory
• A sample invitation letter for elected officials

Please feel free to adjust any of these pieces to your particular communications needs.  Should you require further assistance, please don’t hesitate to e-mail Policy@lta.org.

Thank you for helping to spread the word on this great opportunity to support conservation!