Friday, May 14

9:00am - 10:15am

General Session & Welcome with Keynote Speaker Mike Denny

10:30am - 5:00pm

Concurrent Workshops (lunch on your own)

6:30pm - 9:00pm

Locavore Dinner

Workshop Descriptions

Sessions A     10:30am – 12:00pm

A01: Building a Sustainable Northwest Land Conservation Community Together

Leader: Leni Wilsman, Conservation Impact (CO)

Land trusts in the Northwest, as elsewhere, are challenged to make significant progress to protect the most important places in the next 10 years and to ensure the sustainability of their work in perpetuity.  This interactive workshop asks what changes and adaptations are needed today and into the future to help land trusts and the land conservation community to be as efficient and effective as possible and to ensure the perpetual sustainability of their important work.  Participants will develop a vision of a sustainable community, explore what can be done today through collaborative efforts to begin to move their organization and the community to the desired future condition, and learn techniques and tools for effective collaboration.

A02: FOCUS! Two Land Trusts’ Approaches to Strategic Land Conservation Planning

Leader:  Ryan Chapin, Five Valleys Land Trust (MT); Donna Erickson, Consultant (MT)

Why create a land conservation plan?  Why create maps of conservation targets when that's not how land trusts do business?  This workshop will explore the development and use of the strategic land conservation tool and learn from Five Valley Land Trust how they developed a GIS-based strategic land conservation plan to identify the most important private land to protect within their service area (nearly 9 million acres in parts of 7 western Montana counties) and how their GIS-based plan helps the organization act deliberately to achieve its mission.  

A03: Recession? Fundraising? Think creatively and Invest in Outreach

Leader: Elizabeth Guss, Whidbey Camano Land Trust (WA)

In 2009, the Whidbey Camano Land Trust celebrated its 25th anniversary and with the economy starkly softer than when the planning began, they chose to focus on creative outreach that celebrated 25 Years of Homemade, All Natural Preserves, and sponsored diverse programs and activities that engaged many demographic groups.  The results were very positive: thousands learned through publicity, hundreds participated, membership increased - including larger donors and business sponsors for events - and landowners of key properties initiated contact to talk about protection. By proven success, this workshop will demonstrate the relationship between well organized community outreach and effective fundraising; how organizations can develop a creative plan to raise funds even in adverse circumstances; and how to use a special occasion to engage new groups to support land protection.

Session B     1:30pm – 3:00pm

B01: Introduction to Accreditation from the Land Trusts that Have Been There

Leaders:Laura DiBetta, Land Trust Accreditation Commission (NY); Molly Doran, Skagit Land Trust (WA), Nancy Newman; Jefferson Land Trust (WA); Bonnie Self, Teton Regional Land Trust (ID)

Learn about accreditation from land trusts that have been through the program in this workshop designed for organizations that are actively preparing for accreditation. Representatives from accredited land trusts will talk about how they prepared to apply for accreditation and relate their experiences going through the accreditation process. A short overview of the accreditation program will also be provided.

B02: Entering the Voluntary Carbon Market in the Northwest

Leaders: Erik Kingfisher, Jefferson Land Trust (WA); Steward Matthiesen, Northwest Natural Resources Group (WA)

Gain an understanding of the basic principles of the voluntary carbon market and the relationship between high quality certification and value, and how the carbon market may support conservation finance.  This workshop will introduce a new approach to selling forestry based carbon offsets using a combination of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) certification.  Presenters will share the components and methods behind the NW Neutral program as it applies to small forestland owners in the Pacific Northwest, and as a case study, highlight the sale of carbon credits from Bulis Preserve, a working forest owned and managed by Jefferson Land Trust in Washington State.

B03: Amending Conservation Easements: A Panel Discussion

Facilitator: Sylvia Bates, Land Trust Alliance (NH)
Attorney Panelists: Thomas Haensly (WA); Konrad Liegel, K&L Gates (WA); James Olmsted (OR)

Conservation easements are written to last forever, but circumstances change over time.  As easements mature, it is more likely that land trusts and landowners will seek amendments to modify an easement’s terms.  This panel discussion will look at the complex legal and ethical landscape of easement amendment and termination.  Learn about an Alliance proposal to strengthen Practice 11I of Land Trust Standards and Practices to ensure that amendment decisions fulfill both conservation and ethical obligations.

Session C     3:30pm – 5:00pm

C01: Ask an Attorney

Leaders: Konrad Liegel, K&L Gates (WA); Leslie Ratley Beach, Land Trust Alliance (VT)

Ever wish you could pick an attorney’s brain for free?  Here’s your chance!  Ask our esteemed legal panel your questions relating to Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust.

C02: The Conservation Toolkit: Transfer of Development Rights Programs

Leader: Jill Arango, Cascade Land Conservancy (WA)

In late 2009 Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) facilitated the successful adoption of a county-wide Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program in rural Kittitas County. The program is unique in Washington State and is considered one of the most progressive in the country. Although TDRs are not the answer to all conservation issues, they are an important option for landowners when planning for the future of their land. CLC will share the keys to the program and successful passage of the program as well as lessons learned from TDR programs in other areas.

C03: Northwest Land Cover/Land Stewardship/and Species Data for Land Trusts

Leader: Jocelyn Aycrigg, Anne Davidson, Lisa Duarte, and Jill Maxwell, National Gap Analysis Program (ID); Ryan Chapin, Five Valleys Land Trust (MT); Angie Rudolf, Teton Regional Land Trust (ID)

In this workshop we will introduce attendees to the suite of newly available, Northwest-specific GAP land cover, land stewardship, and species data available to them. We will also provide case studies showing how this data is being used by the Five Valleys Land Trust and the Teton land trust for strategic planning, site prioritization, and conservation. Current projects using GAP data will help inform land acquisition planning efforts by highlighting gaps in protection in habitat corridors. The projects will also give the trusts a clearer picture of the contribution they are making to conservation efforts in the state and region.

Evening Activity     6:30pm - 9:00pm

Locavore Dinner with Wine and Live Music Provided by Front Porch - $22

From the farm to the table, from the vine to the glad – Enjoy a “locavore” dinner featuring all local food, beer and wine served at the Historic Walla  Walla Pavilion while listening to live music provided by Front Porch, an eclectic mix of musicians from in and around the Pendleton, Oregon area specializing in playing a variety of old time, blue grass and gospel tunes.  Meet the band: vocals supported by the harmonies of guitarist Cindy Powel and bassist Lori Brogoitti and Dick Kaiser plays fiddle, spoons and jews harp while providing lead vocal on many old time favorites. Jerry Copeland plays mandolin and guitar and Carl Scheeler plays banjo and harmonicas. The core group is often accompanied by other local pickers looking for an excuse to jam and the group welcomes sit-in’s as long as they’re in tune.