Curriculum
Looking for “How-To” guides? Our new books are more than just course books – they contain essential knowledge for land conservation. With ten titles in the series, and more being developed every month, these books can be used for in-depth, independent study of key conservation subjects, or as quick reference guides for best practices, templates, and sample documents.
Many of the courses also help land trusts learn how to implement the Land Trust Standards and Practices indicator practices that are needed for accreditation. The curriculum works in concert with The Learning Center to provide land trusts with resources to enhance their ability to secure long-term protection of conserved land.
Strong Organizations
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Building the Foundation for Fundraising SuccessAuthor: Marc Smiley, 2009Org Member Price: $19.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: $24.95 | Download $10.00 Take your fundraising to the next level by ensuring that you're raising money in an effective and ethical manner. This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of fundraising and the ethical and legal considerations that go along with raising funds. You will learn how to track fundraising expenses and determine what percentage of your overall organizational budget is spend on fundraising. Practices covered: 5A-Legal and Ethical Practices; 5B-Accountability to Donors. |
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Determining Stewardship Costs & Raising and Managing Dedicated Funds
Authors: Paul Doscher, Brenda Lind, Ellen Sturgis and Chris West, 2007Org Member Price: Book $24.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: Book $31.95 | Download $10.00 How much will it cost your land trust to manage a conservation easement for the long haul? Arriving at a realistic figure is tricky—but essential—if you are going to keep your promises. In this book you will learn how to calculate the full stewardship expenses of conservation easements and fee land parcels. Practices Covered: 6F-Investment and Management of Financial Assets and Dedicated Funds; 11A-Funding Easement Stewardship; 12A-Funding Land Stewardship. |
Responsible Governance |
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Avoiding Conflicts of Interest and Running an Ethical Land TrustAuthor: Konrad Liegal, Esq., 2006Org Member Price: Book $15.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: Book $19.95 | Download $10.00 Can you name all of the disqualified persons in your organization? Do you know what to do if a major donor asks to amend her conservation easement? How will your land trust fare if it’s operations come under close media or IRS scrutiny? If the answers to these questions keep you awake at night, then this book is for you. Practices Covered: 4A-Dealing with Conflicts of Interest; 4C-Transactions with Insiders; 1D-Ethics |
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Land Trust Boards: Preparing for PerpetuityAuthor: Marc Smiley, 2007Org Member Price: Book $19.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: Book $24.95 | Download $10.00 A good board is the cornerstone of a successful land trust. How does your board measure up? This book covers the legal, ethical and fiduciary responsibilities of the board; the roles and responsibilities of individual board members; and the link between a strong board and land conservation success. Practices Covered: 3B-Board Composition; 3C-Board Governance; 3F-Board Approval of Land Transactions; 2B-Nonprofit Incorporation and Bylaws. |
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Nonprofit Law and Recordkeeping for Land Trusts – Volume I: Complying with Federal, State and Local Law
Author: Jane Prohaska, 2007Org Member Price: Book $19.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: $24.95 | Download $10.00 This book is the first part of a two-part series that gives you what you need to know about the legal requirements for operating a land trust. The book will cover the issue of tax exemption, including the major requirements for maintaining charitable tax-exempt status and an overview of IRS Form 990. Practices Covered: 2A-Compliance with Laws; 2B-Nonprofit Incorporation and Bylaws; 2C-Tax Exemption; 2D-Records Policy; 9G-Recordkeeping; 6B-Financial Records |
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Nonprofit Law and Recordkeeping for Land Trusts – Volume II: Recordkeeping Essentials for Land TrustsAuthor: Jane Prohaska, 2008Org Member Price: Book $19.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: $24.95 | Download $10.00 This book is the second part of a two-part series that gives you what you need to know about keeping good organizational and transaction records. You will learn how to develop and implement policies to guide how your land trust creates, collects, retains, stores, protects and disposes of these types of records. Practices Covered: 2A-Compliance with Laws; 2B-Nonprofit Incorporation and Bylaws;2C-Tax Exemption; 2D-Records Policy; 9G-Recordkeeping; 6B-Financial Records |
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Mission, Planning and CapacityAuthor: Jean Hocker, 2008Org Member Price: $15.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: $19.95 | Download $10.00 A land trust’s mission is its compass, guiding board and staff in all of their work. Is your compass pointing in the right direction? If not, take this book and get your land trust back on the right path. This book will give you the knowledge and tools to lead your land trust in a review and, if necessary, revision of your mission.Practices Covered: 1A-Mission; 1B-Planning and Evaluation; 7A-Capacity |
Land Protection |
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Evaluating and Selecting Conservation ProjectsAuthors: Jane Ellen Hamilton and Jonathan Moore, 2007Org Member Price: Book $19.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: Book $24.95 | Download $10.00 Has your land trust ever struggled with deciding whether or not to accept a conservation easement? Ever regretted accepting an easement? Think your project planning process could be improved but not sure where to start? After reading this book, you will know the important elements of a site visit and how to use data gathered from the site visit for baseline documentation reports or management plans. You will learn how to create customized acquisition criteria and project planning forms. Practices Covered: 8B-Project Selection and Criteria; 8G-Project Planning; 8D-Public Benefit of Transactions; 8E-Site Inspection |
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Tax Benefits & Appraisals of Conservation ProjectsAuthors: Larry Kueter and Mark Weston, 2007Org Member Price: $19.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: $24.95 | Download $10.00 This book provides an overview of issues involved with appraising conservation projects and the 2006 changes to the federal law affecting donations of conservation easements. You will become familiar with the different components of IRC §170(h), Forms 8282 and 8283, and will be able to explain a “qualified contribution” and “qualified donee.” You will learn the basic techniques appraisers use in putting a value on conservation easements. Practices Covered: 10A-Tax Code Requirements; 10B-Appraisals |
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Conservation Easement Drafting and DocumentationAuthor: Jane Ellen Hamilton, 2008Org Member Price: $24.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: $31.95 | Download $10.00 This book will give you an overview of how to plan conservation easement projects, draft the easement to fit the plan, and prepare baseline documentation materials to support the monitoring and enforcement of the easement. You will learn how to draft a baseline documentation policy or procedure for your land trust, and how to work with professionals to create comprehensive baseline reports and maps. Practices Covered: 8G-Project Planning; 9E-Easement Drafting; 11B-Baseline Documentation Report |
Stewardship |
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Conservation Easement StewardshipAuthor: Renee J. Bouplon, 2008Org Member Price: $19.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: $24.95 | Download $10.00 This book will give you an overview of how to monitor your easements and build long-term relationships with landowners (the key to long-term success with easements). You will learn the different methods for monitoring easements; how to select and implement the method that works best for your land trust; and how to use a baseline documentation report to protect the land. Practices Covered: 11D-Landowner Relationships; 11B-Baseline Documentation Report; 11C-Easement Monitoring |
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Caring for Land Trust PropertiesAuthors: Hugh Brown and Andrew Pitz, 2009Org Member Price: $19.95 | Download Free! Regular Price: $24.95 | Download $10.00 How can you be a good guest and care for the land you have been entrusted with? In this book you will learn to manage properties more effectively. The course discusses the different types of land management plans and how to select the right one for your land trust. You will learn how to create policies for developing management plans and monitoring properties in your care. Practices Covered: 8G-Project Planning; 12C-Land Management; 12D-Monitoring Land Trust Properties; 12E-Land Stewardship Administration |
