Land Trust Alliance

Raising Funds for Stewardship

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-22T00:50:55Z

Date: May 16, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET
Instructor: Paul Doscher
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Cost: $55 before 5/15, then cost will increase to $65

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Does it have to be so hard? Many land trusts will agree that raising money for land and easement acquisition is relatively easy compared to raising money for long-term stewardship. Land protection carries more urgency and emotional appeal than raising money for monitoring, boundary maintenance, gates, etc. But every land trust with experience will tell you that the key to success over time is tied to good land stewardship and having the funds to sustain it.

There are numerous tools for raising stewardship money for both short and long term needs. This webinar will describe a menu of ideas you can use at the time of land or easement acquisition, and how to play “catch up” when you realize years later you will need more resources than was originally assumed.

The toolbox includes fundraising tools from private and public sources, as well as sources of income from the sustainable uses of the land. Each example will be described using a brief case study from the presenter’s experience. Come prepared to share your own experiences and creative ideas.

Advocacy Day at Home: How to Build Relationships with Public Officials in Your Community

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-20T18:58:30Z

Date: April 9, 2013
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET
Instructors: Bart James, Sean Robertson
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Cost: FREE

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With conservation funding and tax incentives under attack, it is important for every land trust to develop relationships with public officials and their staff. But you don’t need to fly to Washington or your state capital! Real relationships are born in the district, where your genuine local support, diverse partnerships, and the emotional impact of places you conserve are on full display. Learn how land trusts around the country have used Land Trust Alliance tools to organize site visits, in-district meetings, and other creative events to make lasting impressions and open the door to funding opportunities they never knew existed.

New Land Trust Alliance Conservation Campaign Director Leverages Advocacy Expertise

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-20T04:00:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rob Aldrich
Director of Communications
202-800-2225| raldrich@lta.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Land Trust Alliance, a national conservation organization representing 1,700 land trusts that work to save the places people love, announced Barton James as its new conservation campaign director. James, formerly the director of public policy for Ducks Unlimited, will guide the Alliance’s advocacy program to build a national grass-tops network.

"I am delighted to join the Alliance in the tremendous task of harnessing the political strength of the nation’s 1,700 land trusts by expanding the relationships that land trusts have with members of Congress,” said James. "As an avid sportsman I’ve seen firsthand the critical role land trusts play in ensuring the opportunities and places I hold dear, an important legacy I want to pass on to my sons." James has worked closely over the years with the Alliance policy team through his role at DU, an accredited land trust.

Throughout his career, James has been involved in advocacy and conservation. For nearly nine years, he served as the lead for DU’s public policy work with federal agencies and Congress on agriculture, tax issues, clean water, coastal habitat loss, the Army Corps, water supply, Great Lakes restoration and hunting issues. James served as a political appointee in the Bush Administration at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration. James has also served as a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives and as a political consultant.

"James' commitment to conservation is an energizing force, and his relationships and access on Capitol Hill are great examples of the type of relationships we look forward to building with our member land trusts" said Mary Pope Hutson, Executive Vice President with the Land Trust Alliance. "His vast experience in political advocacy will contribute greatly to the Alliance's ability to increase the political strength of the land conservation community."

James will lead a newly-created arm of the Alliance’s public policy program constructing a national grass tops network in partnership with land trusts nationwide. The goal is to ensure that the most important lands get protected by creating the federal and state laws and resources necessary for permanent protection.

About The Land Trust Alliance

The Alliance is a national conservation organization that works in three ways to save the places people love. First, we increase the pace of conservation, so more land and natural resources are protected. Second, we improve the quality of conservation, so the most important lands are protected using the best practices in the business. And third, we ensure the permanence of conservation by creating the laws and resources needed to defend protected land over time. The Land Trust Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and has several regional offices. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Alliance. www.landtrustalliance.org

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Successful Strategies for Conserving Village, Suburban and Urban Landscapes

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-19T17:35:14Z

Date: April 30, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Instructors: Craig Anderson, Judy Anderson
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Cost: $55 before 4/29, then cost will increase to $65

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Have you wondered if there was a difference in how you conserve land in villages, cities or suburban landscapes in contrast to rural lands? Maybe you’re interested in connecting with more people as part of your work to enhance your community and conserve lands that will be important in the future?

Perhaps you have pondered whether the approach, strategies and programs that support “neighborhood conservation” are something that you could adopt in your work?

This webinar will explore different examples of how land trusts and related organizations, from volunteer to staffed, across the country are working to conserve lands in villages, cities and neighborhoods. We’ll discuss tips for selecting projects, key factors to consider, designing community programs and partnerships support this work, and how your organizational values help to inform your work.

5th World Conference on Ecological Restoration: Reflections on the Past, Directions for the Future

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-18T22:02:52Z

Date: October 6 - 11, 2013

The Society for Ecologocal Restoration 2013 World Conference on Ecological Restoration: Reflections on the Past, Directions for the Future will bring together more than 1,200 delegates from around the world interested in the science and practice of ecological restoration as it relates to natural resource management, climate change responses, biodiversity conservation, local and indigenous communities, environmental policy and sustainable livelihoods.

Learn more about this conference.

You’ll Love It, They’ll Love It: Tips for Building a Successful Monthly Online Giving Program

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-18T21:58:22Z

Date: May 14, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Instructor: Judy Anderson
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Cost: $55 before 5/13, then cost will increase to $65

REGISTER ONLINE >>

Monthly online giving is one of the best ways there is to grow your donor base, increase your donor retention and enhance your major donor program. But just being able to donate online does not mean you have good program—or a program at all. Technology is the tool, but your land trust’s program is what will make it a success.

We’ll discuss key tips and strategies to build a strong monthly online donor program including how to interface with your website, strategies for increasing the number of monthly donors, what sort of communication and engagement you need, how to elevate monthly giving so that it’s a priority, and examples of how to cross-market monthly giving. Land trusts of all sizes can create a successful program.

Planned Giving: An Essential Tool for Sustainable Fundraising

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-18T21:32:19Z

Date: May 2, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Instructor: Marc Smiley
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Cost: $55 before 5/1, then cost will increase to $65

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Building an adequate, long-term funding source to support stewardship may be the single biggest hurdle facing land trusts nationwide. The audacious commitment to protect and manage land forever has its costs, but not necessarily its source.

This webinar will focus on how any land trust can build a planned giving as a part of a more complete relationship-based fundraising program. Focusing on building loyal supporters to the land trust, and converting loyal land trust members to legacy givers is at the heart of this sustainability strategy. The fundamentals of a relationship-based giving program will be explored, along with the details for creating a planned giving program. Roles, tools, and strategy for creating such a program will all be explored.

Participants will learn: what motivates legacy giving, who the best partners for legacy support might be, how to create and sustain such a program, developing a planned giving campaign, and more.

Planning an Effective Fundraising House Party

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-15T23:39:44Z

Date: June 5, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Instructor: Andy Robinson
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Cost: $55 before 6/4, then cost will increase to $65

REGISTER ONLINE >>

Need money right away? Not interested in the hassle planning a major event? Consider hosting a fundraising house party. A fundraising house party combines the intimacy of a major donor "ask" with the excitement of a benefit event -- and unlike a major event, you can organize one in six weeks. In this webinar, we will discuss:

Identifying a host committee and developing an invitation list
Preparing your party planning calendar
Different strategies for using house parties to ask for gifts
Twenty ways to engage board members in creating the event

Save Time: Apply for FRPP Entity Certification

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-14T21:36:19Z

Date: April 11, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Instructors: Jane Ellen Hamilton, Henry Babilon
Level: Intermediate
Cost: FREE

REGISTER ONLINE >>

Has your organization acquired conservation easements using FFRPP funds in the past? If so, your organization may be eligible to apply for a new program that will save you time. As a Certified Entity, you may elect to close future FRPP conservation transactions without NRCS review and approval prior to closing. The certification process requires a conservation organization to submit an application demonstrating it meets high professional standards for land conservation by complying with all FRPP protocols and procedures.

This webinar presents the certification process, by covering both the substantive and procedural portions of the application requirements, including:

How adopting and implementing Land Trust Standards and Practices can help your organization improve its chances for becoming certified
Review of those Land Trust Standards and Practices that relate directly to the factors considered for certification
How to submit a complete application for certification
Certification criteria review

This webinar is applicable to both governmental entities and land trusts. Participants should be familiar with the FRPP program.

Standards Covered: 8 (Evaluating and Selecting Conservation Projects), 9 (Ensuring Sound Transactions), and 11 (Conservation Easement Stewardship)

Sycamore Land Trust Acquires 600 More Acres In Brown County

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-14T04:00:00Z

March 14, 2013 | Indiana Public Media | IN

Durable Collaborations: Securing Financial and Human Resources for Enduring Conservation

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-13T21:15:07Z

Date: April 10, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm -3:30 pm ET
Instructors: Dale Bonar, Jim Morris
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Cost: $55 before 4/9, then cost will increase to $65

REGISTER ONLINE >>

When a land trust accepts an easement or fee land, it promises to care for it forever. Securing the necessary financial and human resources to run a professional, sustainable conservation operation is becoming increasingly difficult. So, how can we keep the best of local conservation while ensuring conservation quality and permanence? Through collaboration. Collaborations occur along a continuum, from informal networking and project-sharing to structural integration with shared staff or even merger. Durable collaborations are robust, mutually beneficial and long-lived approaches that enable groups to leverage their combined efforts for greater impact. This webinar will cover the essentials of successful collaborations and what you need to know before entering into any agreement.

Participants will learn:

The range of collaborative opportunities
The risks and benefits of collaborating
Strategies for determining whether collaboration is right for your land trust
Steps necessary to ensure successful outcomes for all parties

Land Trusts Converge on Washington to Build Support for Land Conservation

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-13T04:00:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Rob Aldrich, Communications Director
202-800-2225 | raldrich@lta.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Land trusts converged on Capitol Hill this week to educate and engage political leaders on conservation issues during the 2013 Land Trust Advocacy Day sponsored by the Land Trust Alliance. Land conservation leaders attended issue briefings and networking events before conducting over 150 individual meetings with members of Congress in the Senate and House from key districts and on the Tax, Agriculture and Appropriations committees to promote the economic, social and natural impact their work has on rural, suburban and urban communities alike.

“There is strong bipartisan support for land conservation in Congress because everyone can agree on the need for what land trusts provide: clean water, land to grow food, urban parks and gardens, and places to connect with nature,” said Land Trust Alliance President Rand Wentworth.

Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) met with the land conservationists to emphasize the importance of sharing the stories of how land conservation is creating vibrant communities that are healthy places to live, work and play.

On Tuesday, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced the Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act of 2013, S.526, which makes permanent the enhanced tax incentive for conservation easements that is set to expire at the end of 2013.

Senator Stabenow, Chairwoman, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, stressed the need to pass both the Farm Bill and the Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act of 2013. "The Farm Bill is the most significant investment we make as a country in conservation, so passing a bipartisan bill is the most important way we can fulfill our commitment to clean water, land and air. We passed a strong Farm Bill last year, with broad bipartisan support, and we will continue our efforts this year to write a Farm Bill that makes conservation a top priority for all agricultures and landscapes. I'm also a proud co-sponsor of the Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act, to ensure that enhanced tax incentives for conservation easements continue beyond 2013."

Land Trust Alliance Executive Vice President Mary Pope Hutson urged member land trusts to keep the momentum going as they continue their advocacy efforts in their communities. “The Land Trust Alliance is proud of our network of more than 1, 700 land trusts that are passionate about their work and build relationships with their elected officials at the federal, state and local level to promote land conservation, build strong communities and steward our natural heritage for future generations.”

About the Land Trust Alliance

The Land Trust Alliance is a national conservation group that works on behalf of the nation’s 1,700 land trusts to save the places people love by strengthening conservation nationwide. The Alliance works to increase the pace and quality of conservation by advocating favorable tax policies and training land trusts in best practices, and working to ensure the permanence of conservation in the face of continuing threats.

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Fourth Symposium on Advanced Legal Topics in Land Conservation

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-11T21:38:53Z

Are you an attorney, senior practitioner or law school faculty looking to stay informed on conservation law? Interested in crafting practical legal solutions?

Gather with your colleagues to take advantage of this rare opportunity to discuss and contribute insight on these complex legal issues:

Anatomy of a "Lawsuit"
Analysis of a Surface Use Agreement
Current Events Case Law Update
Review of Law on Federal Preemption of State Laws, Supremacy Issues, Interplay of IRC and State Laws
Risk Management
CE Drafting - Amendments and Discretionary Approvals

All while earning your CLE’s!

Registration will open November 1. View more information >>

Running Effective Meetings

Kimberly Seese — 2013-03-02T01:15:00Z

Date: March 18, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm -3:30 pm Eastern (1:00 pm -2:30 pm Central)
Instructor: Andy Robinson
Cost: $25 members / $35 non-members

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Are you tired of aimless meetings . . .

You know the ones. We've all sat through them. Probably even facilitated a few. Those painful-to-sit-through meetings that don't generate energy, commitment, or next steps.

Don't spend another moment in an aimless meeting. Come join us and learn how to make your meetings more productive, inclusive, and even fun!

Program Overview

In this productive, inclusive and fun webinar led by Andy Robinson, we will discuss:

Why meetings fail
The key to effective meetings: make decisions!
Building a great agenda
Robert's Rules vs. consensus: what's right for you?
How to fix a broken meeting

Andy Robinson provides training and consulting for nonprofits in facilitation, fundraising, grantseeking, board development, marketing, earned income, planning, and leadership development. Over the past seventeen years, Andy has worked with organizations in 47 US states and Canada. Recent clients include the National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, American Bar Association, and the Center for Progressive Leadership. He is also the author of five books written for nonprofits. To learn more, please visit his website.

We look forward to talking with you!

Laws Give Break for Land Preservation. But Hurry.

Kimberly Seese — 2013-02-23T05:00:00Z

February 23, 2013 | The Wall Street Journal