Addressing climate-related challenges
iLand trusts are in the business of protecting and managing land. That's what makes them ideally positioned to take on a larger role in mitigating — as well as preparing for the effects of — a changing climate.
Many land trusts are already making this shift. And the Land Trust Alliance offers its Land and Climate Program to provide land trusts with strategies, training and tools that incorporate the reality of climate change in their land conservation work. As the Alliance's new climate change program manager, I'm eager to see this effort succeed.
Having worked as a land trust volunteer, land steward, conservation program director and most recently as the executive director of the Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust in West Virginia, I understand the complexities of land deals and the network needed to implement and fund great conservation work. I have no doubt that many of the major decisions land trusts will make in the coming years and decades will be affected by climate change. My hope for the Land and Climate Program is that it becomes an indispensable resource as land trusts address climate-related challenges and opportunities, further strengthening the resiliency and relevance of land conservation in America.
If you'd like to learn more about my work with the Land and Climate Program, wave me down at Rally 2017 in Denver, Colorado. There will be 12 climate-related workshops, including a full-day seminar, and I'm planning to attend as many as possible. I hope to see you there!
Kelly Watkinson is climate change program manager for the Land Trust Alliance.