Seminars

Some topics require more time than is allotted for a Rally workshop.  Daylong and half-day seminars are your chance to experience high-quality, intensive trainings and delve further into important issues in land conservation. Choose from 25 diverse seminars that will be taught by prominent, experienced course leaders. Come away with fresh ideas and a new understanding of the subject matter.

Register early!  Many seminars sell out quickly.  Additional fee required.

Helpful Symbols
To assist you in choosing a seminar that is just right for you, your skill level and interests, look for these symbols:

* indicates seminars of interest to board members
(CLE) indicates continuing legal education credits

Continuing Legal  Education Credit

The Alliance will apply for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for workshop sessions in the Legal Issues track as well as those workshops denoted with a (CLE) symbol and for seminars 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 18, 19 and 24. The cost for obtaining CLE credit is $100 per person, per state. Please indicate which state(s) you are applying for on the registration form.

Lunch will be served to participants who register for one daylong seminar or two half-day seminars.  Participants who register for one half-day seminar may purchase a lunch ticket in advance for $26.  No onsite lunch tickets will be sold.

Seminar prices are indicated as follows:

The first seminar price indicates rate for staff/board of Alliance Member Land Trusts.

The second seminar price indicates rates for Partners & Others.

For questions about any of these seminars, please e-mail rally@lta.org.

Saturday, September 29

Half-day Seminars

SEM-1

Roundtable Discussion: Conservation Easements Over Time (CLE)
Jessica Jay
Saturday, September 29, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Advanced/Expert | $85/$100
Specially designed for advanced practitioners, this open roundtable explores the values, purposes, goals and recent guidance concerning the perpetual nature of conservation easements. This guided discussion will seek to establish values based on the guidance and identify common ground with respect to easement amendment and termination, and articulate options and next steps to protect the integrity of perpetual conservation easements.

SEM-2

Tried and True Methods for Cultivating Effective Landowner Relationships
Clint Miller, Fitz Fitzgerald, Steve Hobbs
Saturday, September 29, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Basic/Intermediate | $85/$100
Learn techniques and methods for approaching and working with landowners who have critical property that, if preserved, will help protect the conservation lands of interest to your land trust. We will explore the various techniques for identifying and approaching landowners as a group and individually, how to work with them to get the deal done, and techniques for making a long-term relationship work to ease the stewardship of conservation easements.

SEM-3

Title Review: The Key to Solid Transactions (CLE)
Allan Beezley, MaryKay O'Donnell, Marie Vicek
Saturday, September 29, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Intermediate | $85/$100
Standards and Practices Curriculum
This course will cover the fundamental principles of title and its importance in completing valid and effective conservation projects. Title matters to be discussed include ownership, land descriptions, encumbrances, partial severances of real property interests as well as the difference between a title commitment and title insurance. The various parts of a title commitment will be explained and examples of underlying recorded documents referenced in a title commitment will be examined. We will also present approaches that we have used in our own practice to resolve adverse conditions of title. This seminar is intended for anyone working in land conservation who is seeking an introduction to title review or a refresher on the subject.

SEM-4

Understanding Conservation Easement Appraisals (CLE)
Mark Weston
Saturday, September 29, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Intermediate | $85/$100
Standards and Practices Curriculum
This seminar derives from the Standards and Practices Curriculum book, Tax Benefits and Appraisals of Conservation Easements (2007). Five years after its publication, scrutiny of conservation easement appraisals continues. When things go wrong, land protection projects fail or are delayed. In the worst cases, the land trust may find its reputation damaged for violating the public trust. This session will provide an overview of the requirements for appraisal of donated easements and methods of valuation and will inform land trusts how to select and  work with appraisers. We will use practical examples and focus on ways to avoid unpleasant surprises  in valuing easements. This session will also provide practical guidance for land trusts regarding its role in reviewing an appraisal, signing the IRS 8283 form, and how to communicate with a donor.

SEM-5

Advanced Tax Strategies in Land Conservation (CLE)
William Hutton
Saturday, September 29, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Advanced | $85/$100
Developed for the experienced land trust project manager or legal counsel, this seminar will presume your acquaintance with the basic concepts of the federal income and wealth transfer tax regimes — including experience with an array of charitable planning mechanisms. Discussions will be problem-based, covering such topics as the conveyance of a conservation easement in a development context, potential private-benefit transactions, like-kind exchanges and condemnations, current conservation easement issues (including issues arising with enhanced income tax benefits), transactions with partnerships and corporations, and land trust operational concerns. An outline will be sent to the group in advance, and both preparation and participation is expected.

Saturday, September 29

Daylong Seminars

SEM-6

Major Gift Development: Fundraising that Matters*
David Allen
Saturday, September 29, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Intermediate | $150/$180
This is a crash course in major gift fundraising beginning with understanding motivations behind major gift decisions and ending with roleplay practice. Participants will learn why major gift development is important, where major gift development should fit in a well-rounded fundraising program, how to find prospects, how to think creatively about and plan for cultivation activities, the differing roles of staff and board, and how to ask for major gifts in person. This seminar is for both development staff and board volunteers.

SEM-7

GPS and GIS in Your Monitoring – Getting Started
Olivia Bartlett, Dan Murphy, Joan Turley
Saturday, September 29, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Intermediate | $150/$180
This interactive seminar will discuss when and how to incorporate GIS and GPS tools in the monitoring process. Participants will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of spatial data collection, how to use a GPS unit during a hands-on field component, and how to convert and properly store GPS data. This seminar will also teach participants how to use free online resources (topographic and aerial maps) to create maps for perpetual monitoring purposes.

SEM-8

Increasing Your Impact Through Large Landscape Conservation
Shawn Johnson, Bob Bendick, Larry Fisher, Lynn Scarlett
Saturday, September 29, 8:30am – 4:30pm
All Levels | $100/$130
The Practitioners' Network for Large Landscape Conservation will share a national perspective on new trends in landscape-scale conservation. Network members will offer lessons from innovative efforts that foster conservation at this scale. Participants will provide strategic direction to the Network's leadership in advancing the Network's range of activities and support services.

SEM-9

It All Starts with the Dirt: Designing Conservation Easements from
the Ground Up (CLE)
Kris Larson, Jane Prohaska
Saturday, September 29, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Intermediate | $150/$180
Strong conservation easements are the result of a seamless process that begins with understanding the land proposed for protection and then translating and incorporating that information into an unambiguous and enforceable document. Using a case study designed to highlight numerous issues that arise in easement design and drafting and an integrated set of materials created by an experienced land trust, this course will address all of the components found in typical conservation easements and will explore various approaches to easement drafting. Specific issues related to tax-deductible easements will also be covered.

SEM-10

How to Build an Effective Board
Sara Wilson, Laurel Florio
Saturday, September 29, 9:00am – 5:00pm
All Levels | $150/$180
Learn to build the board you want.  Effective boards can be developed and it begins with recruiting the right people, getting them engaged and building a board team that works from mutual expectations and aspirations for the land trust. This seminar will provide tools to identify skills and talents needed for your board, tools to evaluate board performance and tips to increase the effectiveness of individual directors and the board as a whole.

SEM-11

Developing a Case for Support That Raises Revenue*
Maria Elena Campisteguy, Ezra Milchman
Saturday, September 29, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Intermediate/Advanced | $150/$180
A strong case for support is vital to dynamic, growing organizations.  This highly interactive and hands-on workshop will walk land trusts through each of the steps necessary to create a compelling case that clearly articulates their vision, goals, strategy, programs, credentials, financial needs and giving opportunities. It will focus on donor driven framing (understanding values, motivators and drivers), development of a compelling logic chain, development of case components to support special initiatives or appeal to affinity fundraising and the field testing process for evaluation and evolution. We will dedicate a major part of the class to sharing examples and having participants write and share their own case components and receive feedback. We will then practice using the case in facilitated discussions and roleplays.

SEM-12

Managing Conservation Easements (CLE)
Jane Ellen Hamilton, Renee Bouplon
Saturday, September 29, 9:00am-5:00pm
Intermediate |  $165/$195
Standards and Practices Curriculum
This curriculum course covers the essentials of recordkeeping and enforcing easements and covers practices 9G Recordkeeping and 11E Enforcement of Easements. The course will address how easement holders identify and manage records, including digital records, in accordance with an adopted records policy.  It will also assist attendees in understanding the critical relationship between easement permanence, good landowner relations and recordkeeping.  The course concludes by addressing conservation easement enforcement, including how to craft a violation policy and procedures, the steps involved in resolving violations, practical lessons learned about easement defense, funding easement defense and preventing or mitigating easement violations.  Participants will receive Managing Conservation Easements in Perpetuity by Leslie Ratley-Beach.

SEM-13

Advocating for Conservation: How Do I Get from Here to There?*
Anne Garnett, Lynne Sherrod
Saturday, September 29, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Basic | $150/$180
Everyone advocates for something. Are you effective and is it time well spent? This highly interactive course will aid in understanding the political and cultural climate which provides opportunities and challenges for the cause of land protection and addresses the "how" and "why" it can be incorporated into your overloaded schedule. It will also address cultivating and maintaining effective relationships with both policy makers and the media. You will leave armed with a personalized organizational action plan and the necessary skills for advocacy and organizational messaging conducive to conservation initiatives at the local, state and national level. Case studies from across the country will help shed light on real life examples about what works, what doesn't and why.

Sunay, September 30

Half-Day Seminars

SEM-14

Foreclosures and Bankruptcies: Land Conservation Options for Conserving Financially Distressed Properties
Kevin Redding, Jay Leutze
Sunday, September 30, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Advanced | $85/$100
This session will provide an overview of successful conservation projects that have resulted from bank foreclosures, or the threat of foreclosures, on real estate. At a time when foreclosure rates are at an all-time high, and developers are seeking bankruptcy protection, see what options land trusts have and how your land trust can capitalize on these opportunities.

SEM-15

Applying for First-Time Accreditation: Developing an Accreditation Work Plan for Your Land Trust*
Jennifer Brady-Connor
Sunday, September 30, 8:00am – 12:00pm
All Levels | $25
Offered for land trusts planning to apply for first-time accreditation in the next year or two, this seminar will offer insight into how the accreditation program works, what is needed to apply and how the program relates to Land Trust Standards and Practices. The instructor and participants will also discuss what the Commission looks for to determine compliance with specific indicator practices from Land Trust Standards and Practices. Participants will have an opportunity to provide a list of their areas of concern and interest in advance, and the instructor will use that information to formulate the final agenda.

SEM-16

Native American Land Trusts: Lessons in Eco-Cultural Conservation*
Beth Rose Middleton, Dune Lankard, Matthew Leivas, Sr., Hawk Rosales, Chuck Sams
Sunday, September 30, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Intermediate | $85/$100
Native American land trust movement leaders and partners will offer perspectives on the notable achievements of Native land trusts, the challenges they face (policy, legal, financial, and otherwise), and strategies to overcome these challenges. Learn about unique tribally-based applications of land trust tools around the United States, and consider how Native and non-Native land trusts can support one another in meaningful, justice-oriented conservation. The session will pertain to standards 8, 10, and 11.

SEM-17

Board Member Summit: Building Your Land Trust's Staying Power and Increasing Community Support
Dianne Russell, Brad Webb
Sunday, September 30, 8:00am – 1:00pm
All Levels | $50
As land conservationists, we want to know that the land we protect today, will stay protected tomorrow. However, in an increasingly diverse nation faced with many competing demands for time and attention, how can land trusts ensure they remain relevant to their communities? And as a conscientious board member, what steps can you take to strengthen your board so that your land trust thrives, now and into the future? Spend the morning exploring those steps and learn practical tools and strategies for managing challenges so you can lead your land trust as  stronger, community institution valued and supported by all community members. Includes lunch.

SEM-18

Easement Revitalization Initiative:  What We Learned About Addressing “Problem Easements” (CLE)
Marc Smiley, Mike Dennis, Allison Handler, Bill Long, Tom Pierce, Barb Welch
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Intermediate | $85/$100
“Problem easements” are a challenge and more common that most land trusts will admit.  Solid Ground Consulting worked intensively with six groups to study the easement problems they faced.  The project draws from this research to develop strategies and tools that can be used to identify, mitigate, and “revitalize” problem easements.  The session will review the results of the project and discuss how organizations can apply the learning from this project to their conservation portfolios.

SEM-19

Water Rights in Western Conservation Easements (CLE)
Peter Nichols, Jeff Appel, Peter Dykstra, Ellen Fred
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm-5:00pm
All Levels | $85/$100
This seminar is intended to develop participants' ability to recognize and follow good practices when including water rights in conservation easements. The session will highlight current practices throughout the West, drawing from the experience of the panelists and participants. Building on this base, the seminar will develop participant's understanding of the legal and practical water issues that should be considered in a conservation easement through participatory problem solving. Finally, practitioners will take home some simple yet comprehensive tools to use for good practices, including checklists and model conservation easement deed language.

SEM-20

Case Studies in Planned Giving*
Illene Roggensack, Bob Tesch
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Basic/Intermediate | $85/$100
Various financial tools can help donors to maximize both their personal financial management opportunities and legacy giving desires. This seminar uses case studies, small group discussion and financial services expertise to explore best practices for promoting and securing planned gifts for your land trust. Charitable remainder and lead trusts, donor-advised funds and conversion of business interests/other assets to charitable purpose will be discussed, as will the how-to for setting up and managing an effective planned giving program.

SEM-21

Financial Management of Land Trusts*
Eric Rowley
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Intermediate | $100/$115
Standards and Practices Curriculum
Explore major aspects of financial management including budgeting, financial reporting, financial analysis and accounting systems. Learn about Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) applicable to the financial reporting of land trusts and applicable pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). This seminar includes discussions of functions and responsibilities of board, officers and committees relative to financial oversight and management.  Participants will receive Financial Management of Land Trusts by Kay Sohl and Eric Rowley.

SEM-22

Getting Beyond “Like” – Online Engagement Strategies for Land Trusts*
Kivi Leroux Miller
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Intermediate | $85/$100
You create content for your website, email newsletter, and Facebook page. But “just doing it” isn’t a strategy. Nor is simply building your email list or collecting a bunch of "likes" on Facebook. During this workshop, you’ll explore the essential elements of an online communications strategy that engages your supporters, including volunteers and donors, in your land trust’s work. You’ll learn about the right types of content to create, how to build out an editorial calendar with clear and compelling messaging, and how to integrate all of your communications online and offline, so they build support for your organization.  As part of this workshop, participants will be working through exercises to create examples that could be used (with your permission) in Ms. Miller’s next book.

Sunday, September 30

Daylong Seminars

SEM-23

Manage Risk to Achieve your Mission
Leslie Ratley-Beach
Sunday, September 30, 8:30am-4:30pm
Intermediate/Advanced | $150/$180
This interactive seminar with templates, checklists and real examples will explore the following key concepts in risk management as they apply to land trusts: 1) the importance of risk management in advancing a land trust’s mission and protecting its vital assets; 2) common risks facing land trusts and 3) the role of insurance in a risk management program.  Participants will lay the groundwork for a successful risk management program and building and implementing a risk management plan.

SEM-24

Steve Small's Rally 2012 Tax Problems Roundtable (CLE)
Steve Small
Sunday, September 30, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Intermediate/Advanced | $150/$180
Join in this lecture and roundtable discussion of both real and hypothetical tax planning issues and problems in land conservation work, with emphasis on spotting and solving complex tax issues and on trying to keep the IRS happy.  This includes:  (1) a look at the IRS Conservation Easement Audit Technique Guide and related checklist; (2) complicated tax and related issues that have come up in the instructor’s experience and in the experience of participants (participants will be asked to submit “cases” ahead of time); (3) “hypothetical” planning situations that may have not come up yet but scare people (participants will be asked to submit, etc.)

SEM-25

Wetland and Stream Mitigation: Evaluating the Opportunities and Liabilities
Jessica Wilkinson, Sylvia Bates, Rebecca Kihslinger, Erik Meyers, Mark Steinbach
Sunday, September 30, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Intermediate | $150/$180
This seminar will provide land trusts with the ability to effectively evaluate their organizations’ role in the stewardship of mitigation lands.  They will gain a solid grounding in wetland and stream mitigation policy, an understanding of the opportunities and liabilities of engagement at different stages in the mitigation process, and the ability to craft appropriately protective real estate instruments and secure adequate long-term stewardship funding.