Thursday, May 13

8:00am - 12:00pm

State Land Trust Asssociation Meetings

12:15pm - 1:15pm

Lunch on Your Own

1:20pm - 5:00pm

Seminars

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Welcome Reception

Seminars     1:30pm - 5:00pm

Seminar 1

Appraisals: From the Basics to the Review – What Land Trusts Need to Know to Navigate through the Appraisal Process

Leaders:

•Module 1:  Vicki Adams, Terra Valuations (WA);
•Module 2:  Vicki Adams; Greg Richards (WA); Stephen Shapiro; Amanda Cronin, Washington Water Trust
•Module 3:  Tom Dobbin, Appraisal Services Directorate (ID); Derek Johnson, The Nature Conservancy (OR); Clara Taylor, Oregon Department of State Lands; Helen Honse, Appraisal Services Directorate (OR)

Whether it is a donated easement or a funded fee-simple acquisition, the appraisal is of critical importance in a conservation project. This half-day seminar is presented in three approximate one-hour modules that are intended to familiarize the participants with the appraisal process, from finding a qualified appraiser to shepherding the appraisal through the review process that may be necessary for public grant funding. The first module is presented in lecture format, and covers the fundamentals of the appraisal process, methods of appraising conservation easements, IRS requirements and “Yellow Book” standards, highest and best use, and how to find and work with a qualified appraiser.

Drawing from the experience of several private sector appraisers and the participants, the second module will delve into more complex property and valuation issues, such as “larger parcel” determination, multiple standards, water rights, unique properties and atypical appraisal and/or easement conditions. The third module will bring in a panel of public agency reviewers to discuss the role of the appraisal review, key elements of a quality appraisal, common problems and deficiencies encountered, and how the Land Trust can help minimize them.  Participants may come for any one or all of the modules, and will have the opportunity to share their experience; so, bring your appraisal questions and dilemmas. 

Seminar 2

Working with Agricultural Landowners

Leaders
Phil Brick, Whitman College (WA); Kelly Cash, Conservation Consultant (CA); Lynne Sherrod, Land Trust Alliance (CO)

Elemental to any successful working lands protection program is an in-depth understanding of the needs of agricultural landowners and the resources they steward.  This course will offer key strategies and techniques for successfully partnering with agricultural landowners and responding to private property rights concerns.  It will target issues including emerging technology specific to conservation easements dealing with productive landscapes while taking the accompanying cultural needs into account. 

Also addressed will be organizational priorities related to project choice and stewardship goals, the role of management plans, the function of regional collaborations, advocacy policies that support this work and integrating tax benefits into conservation planning for large landscapes.

Seminar 3

The Holy Grail of Fundraising: Gifts for Today and Tomorrow

Leader
Kevin Johnson, Retriever Development Counsel, LLC (OR)

Sustainable funding is the holy grail of fundraising. But, fundraising myths stall most groups.  The time is right: In tough times, fundraisers report bequest fundraising is a bright spot and research documents that focusing on bequests can increase current gifts by up to 450%. Learn how to work with your loyal donors to change the world. This seminar is designed using real-life examples and a “just enough” strategy guide to enable nonprofit leaders of any scale group to get to work immediately. Small and mid-size nonprofits don’t have the budget or staff to use the same tactics or tools as big institutions described in most of the how to books and seminars; instead, EVERY donor counts. Success building a stream of legacy gifts will not come from scaled down big institution methods; it’s not about “planned gifts.”

This year and the next may represent a confluence of three trends that create a perfect storm driving donors to complete bequest planning decisions. Will your group be included in their plans? The time is right for small and mid-size groups to focus on building a stream of future income to ensure long term sustainability.