Saturday, May 15

8:30am - 12:00pm

Concurrent Workshops

9:00am - 5:00pm

Accreditation Prearation Workshop

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Field Trips

Workshop Descriptions

Session D     8:30am – 10:00am

D01: Engage and Inspire Your People to Action Using Strategic Visioning

Leader: Claire Bronson, c2b design (WA)

The Strategic Visioning Process is a highly effective visual approach to strategic planning, decision-making, and large-scale organizational change developed by The Grove Consultants (www.thegrove.com). This proven and flexible toolbox leads people through a six step process towards creating both the shared vision and concrete steps to get there. During this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to use these tools and learn from their peers about their experiences with boards and other groups on strategic planning.

D02: The Art and Science of Major Donor Development

Leader: David Allen, Development for Conservation LLC

This “crash course” in fundraising is designed to provide Board members and staff with basic concepts in major donor cultivation and solicitation. We start with current philanthropic trends and basic information about why people give money, and end with participant role-plays. Attendees emerge feeling that fundraising is a little less frightening and with new confidence that their objectives can be reached. This course is most valuable for organizations that have at least two representatives in attendance.

D03: Conservation Defense

Leader: Leslie Ratley Beach, Land Trust Alliance (VT)

Conservation easements and lands are increasingly under attack across America.   Every easement is vulnerable to violations and frivolous law suits.  Many land conservation leaders are concerned about the increase both in the cost of and the number of legal challenges to conservation easements and fee land across the country.  One serious challenge could bankrupt most land trusts. This workshop will review current challenges and costs, discuss the status of the Alliance investigations into alternative collective defense methods and review the business terms and commitment letter for the possible insurance program for land trusts’ legal defense and enforcement.

Session E     10:30am – 12:00pm

E01: Board Roles and Responsibilities

Leader: Nancy Murray, Attorney at Law (OR)

What responsibilities - and risks - do we assume when we become directors of land trusts? What are my responsibilities with respect to my land trust's tax exempt status? What do I need to do to fulfill my obligations and to be an effective board member? This course will review the law governing volunteer nonprofit director conduct including IRS requirements and good governance policies (such as those called for by the "new" IRS  Form 990) and the impact of such policies on director conduct. Every board member should receive such training, and land trust staff will benefit from understanding board members' obligations.

E02: Ethical Considerations in Conservation Transactions

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

In order to conserve land successfully, a land trust must earn and sustain public trust and credibility.  The public must believe that land trusts will, in carrying out their conservation responsibilities, treat landowners fairly and act in the best interests of the broader community.  This session will explore the legal and ethical obligations and considerations facing land trusts and donor landowners in conservation transactions, and the guidance provided by Land Trust Standards and Practices.  Legal concepts that will be examined include public benefit, private benefit, and donative intent.  Land trust tools that will be examined include mission statements and conflict of interest policies.  Participants will discuss hypothetical scenarios, based on real-life situations that can arise in conservation transactions, and how they may be addressed in the context of legal requirements and the guidance provided by Land Trust Standards and Practices.

E03: PCC Farmland Trust—New Frontiers in Agricultural Conservation Easements

Leaders: Melissa Campbell and Kathryn Gardow, PCC Farmland Trust (WA); Joel Huesby, Thundering Hooves Farm (WA)

PCC Farmland Trust (PCC FT) is the only known organic farmland Trust in the nation which accepts donated and purchased organic agricultural conservation easements and requires organic production in perpetuity.  PCC FT was started in 1999 by the Seattle food cooperative PCC Natural Markets, after a local farmer approached the cooperative for help in purchasing his leased property which had been slated for development.  The workshop will discuss the farms PCC FT has purchased in fee and the specific concerns, challenges, and rewards when conserving, purchasing and stewarding working organic farmland.  Attendance at this workshop is not required to attend the tour at Thundering Hooves Farm later in the afternoon.

Accreditation Preparation Workshop

9:00am – 5:00pm

Developing an Accreditation Work Plan for your Land Trust

Leaders: Sylvia Bates, Director of Standards and Research, Land Trust Alliance (NH); Laura DiBetta, Land Trust Accreditation Commission (NY)

This workshop is geared to land trusts that are planning to apply for accreditation in the next year or two.  Through a series of discussions and exercises, land trusts will better understand how the accreditation program works, what they need to apply and how the program relates to Land Trust Standards and Practices.

The workshop will also preview Pathways to Accreditation, the Land Trust Alliance’s new accreditation preparation site on The Learning Center.  Participants will leave with individualized action plans for their organizations, mapping out the steps they need to successfully apply for accreditation. No fee for Land Trust Alliance Member Land Trusts $75.00 for Non-Members but advanced registration is required.

Field Trips

All field trips will depart and return to Marcus Whitman Hotel on Saturday, May 14 from 1:00 – 4:00pm.

Abeja and Walla Walla Vintners Tour - $40

Unravel the mysteries of wine tasting! Visit two of Walla Walla’s finest wineries, Abeja and Walla Walla Vintners, for in depth wine tasting and wine tasting tips. Miles Anderson owner and instructor of enology and viticulture will be our host at Walla Walla Vintners, one of Walla Walla’s oldest and finest wineries, located at the foot of the beautiful Blue Mountains.

Molly Galt and John Abbot owners will be our hosts at Abeja.  Abeja is housed in a beautiful century old barn that has been renovated into a winery. Wine tasting, snacks and transportation are included in the cost of the field trip.

Take a Walk On the “Farm” Side – Thundering Hooves Farm Tour - $10

Joel Huesby of Thundering Hooves, a local grass-fed meat operation and PCC Farmland Trust (PCC FT), owners and stewards of the Bennington Place Farm will offer an afternoon tour of their operation. Historically a conventional cattle operation until the 1990’s, Bennington Place Farm was purchased in 2003 by PCC Farmland Trust and is currently being leased by Thundering Hooves.  Thundering Hooves manages their herd, slaughters their cattle on-site in a mobile abattoir, and butchers their product in a downtown facility for direct sale to an increasingly growing market.   Joel will talk about his reasons for farming organically and sustainably and how collaborating with PCC FT has helped him meet his goals.  Attendance at the morning workshop is not required for the tour.  Meet in the lobby of the Marcus Whitman Hotel and we will carpool to the farm