The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) provides planning services, economic development services and multiple initiatives for six counties and 84 communities throughout central Alabama. Annual dues provided by the member governments of these counties and communities make it possible for the RPCGB to provide valuable resources. Funding for the Commission is obtained through federal matching grants, member government dues, annual appropriations from the state, and contract fees.

Resource & Land Management, Inc. was incorporated in 1987 by Mike Petter. Mike has operated this business over these years to serve a variety of clients. These clients range from private small and large landowners, corporate entities that own and operate land, real estate investment trusts and timber investment management organizations for pension funds and other investors, and for municipalities.

The Rhode Island Land Trust Council is a coalition of the state’s land trusts — community-based organizations formed to protect our special places: the scenic open spaces, natural areas, farms, forests, historic sites, watersheds, and drinking water supplies that define the character of our communities and our state. Land trusts are protecting our heritage so that it will be a legacy for future generations.

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority conserves the natural environment, supports agriculture, and connects people to nature, by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches for future generations. The Authority envisions the Santa Clara Valley and its surrounding hillsides as a beautiful place where a vibrant network of interconnected open spaces, trails, wildlife habitats, and thriving agricultural lands enrich the region’s cities and make it an exceptional and healthy place to live, work, learn, and play.

Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP is a law firm specializing in government, land use, renewable energy, and environmental law. Since 1980, the firm has provided public agencies, non-profits, tribes and community groups with the highest quality legal representation, offering an array of litigation, regulatory, counseling and planning services. Known for its commitment to promoting environmental and community values, SMW is at the forefront of the major land use, energy and development issues facing California today.

Solid Ground Consulting is a full-service organizational development firm specializing in conservation-related organizations. Our mission is to build the capacity and confidence of leaders to make a difference in their communities.

Based in Portland, Oregon and working nationwide, our consultants help land trusts and other conservation groups with every facet of what it takes to lead and support a successful organization.

Governance: Board development, clarifying board/staff roles, strategic board recruitment.

Leadership: Executive director and other leadership staff searches, leadership team development, leadership training, staffing structure analysis, executive coaching.

Planning: Organizational assessment, strategic planning, revenue planning, fundraising feasibility studies, campaign plans, business plans.

Communications: Strategic positioning, branding, and communications plans.

We work collaboratively to help our clients solve high-stakes problems and make mission-critical decisions. Clients value our responsiveness, integrity, and work quality. Collectively we have decades of experience in a variety of disciplines, allowing us to create the team that best suits your needs.

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations.

The Southern Maine Conservation Collaborative was founded in 2012 as a service center to assist conservation organizations in southern Maine with hands on assistance specific to organizational needs. Because our theory of change is rooted in the idea that solutions forged together and in partnership are more lasting and effective, we also serve to build connections within the conservation sector, and between conservation and broader community issues.

A full-service law firm representing clients across the United States and internationally, Stites & Harbison, PLLC is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation, and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. The firm represents a broad spectrum of clients including multinational corporations, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, health care organizations, private companies, nonprofit organizations, family-owned businesses and individuals.

The Texas Land Trust Council (TLTC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that builds and supports a strong, active coalition of more than 30 organizations working to conserve the lands and waters of Texas. We serve as a powerful voice for conservation to protect drinking water, Texas' iconic wildlife, and our rich natural and cultural heritage. Together and in partnership with private landowners and citizens, we work to ensure that the Texas landscape — rich in history, natural resources, breathtaking views and recreational opportunities — can be left intact for all of us today and for the future.

The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc. (The Compact) was founded in 1986 as a nonprofit regional support organization for six local land trusts on Cape Cod. Today, The Compact provides 26 local and regional land trusts as well as watershed associations with technical expertise to preserve critical lands that protect the public water supply, protect scenic views, protect wildlife habitat, provide walking trails, and protect Cape Cod’s character, all of which draw countless visitors who drive our regional economy. There is no other nonprofit that offers similar services on Cape Cod. The national Land Trust Alliance has called The Compact a national model of a sustainable land trust coalition.

The Georgia Conservancy is a statewide, member-supported conservation organization. Our work for land conservation, environmental advocacy, coastal protection, sustainable growth and outdoor stewardship recognizes the connection between the environment, the economy and our quality of life.

Protecting lives, property and economic vitality within the Great Miami River Watershed through an integrated and balanced system that provides unfailing flood protection, preserves water resources, and promotes enjoyment of our waterways.

Tim Sweeney is a land conservation attorney advising land trusts in Colorado and New Mexico. Tim has more than 30 years of experience representing real estate developers, shopping center landlords and tenants, lenders and global media companies in complex real estate transactions and corporate matters. Tim is a second-generation Colorado native and a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Law.

Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners facilitate the engagement of partners, funders, and stakeholders in multi-benefit projects to promote ecological and economic health, sustain our agricultural heritage, and enhance the quality of life in the Tulare Basin for current and future generations.

The Virginia Department of Forestry: protects 15.8 million acres of forest land from fire, insects and disease; and manages 22 State Forest lands totaling 67,920 acres for timber, recreation, water, research, wildlife and biodiversity.

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) is Virginia’s leader in land conservation, protecting more than 825,000 acres in 109 counties and independent cities. VOF is a public organization, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1966 under Virginia Code § 10.1-1800. Today, we receive both public and private support for our work.

Virginia’s United Land Trusts was founded to promote conservation statewide and to coordinate conservation planning and green infrastructure. VaULT also offers training and educational programs, like our annual Virginia Land Conservation Conference.

We act as the unified voice for land trusts across Washington state on behalf of private land conservation. We have three major program areas/services that we provide to help support the land trust community: advocacy and policy; networking and education; and partnerships and outreach.

Since 1973, the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC) has provided a broad range of programs and recreation opportunities to the residents of Washtenaw County. What started with five roadside parks, the Parks and Recreation Commission now boasts 13 parks and 33 nature preserves providing access to nearly 6,000 acres of land. In addition, WCPARC holds conservation easements on more than 1,600 acres of farmland. WCPARC also coordinates and manages Washtenaw County’s premier non-motorized trail system—the Border-to-Border Trail (B2B).

The West Virginia Land Stewardship Corporation is a special-purpose public nonprofit created to facilitate the redevelopment of former commercial, industrial, and mining properties with environmental issues in order to promote property reuse and sustainable economic development in West Virginia. We are authorized by statute to operate a Voluntary Land Stewardship Program and take on both short- and long-term monitoring and maintenance of sites that have been remediated pursuant to a state or federal environmental program.

Western Rivers Conservancy protects outstanding river ecosystems throughout the western United States. We acquire land to conserve critical habitat, provide public access for compatible use and enjoyment, and cooperate with other agencies and organizations to secure the health of whole.

Thirty-six-year history in biological conservation, science education and organizational management.

William F. “Fritz” Paulus is a real estate attorney who focuses on land protection transactions and land use matters in Oregon. Representing government entities, nonprofits, and individuals, Mr. Paulus has extensive experience in assisting and advising clients with all facets of the willing-seller-and-buyer property acquisition process from project assessment to closing, including negotiation consultation, preparing purchase and sale agreements, conducting due diligence involving condition of title, appraisals, surveys, and environmental compliance, deed preparation, and escrow instructions. In addition to fee title acquisitions, conservation easements are one of his practice areas, including those to maintain and protect working farmlands. In 2015, he authored a chapter about conservation easements in the Oregon Real Estate Deskbook, published by the Oregon State Bar and is a frequent speaker on the topic. Prior to his current practice, he served as the Executive Director of the Oregon Water Trust and was a Real Estate Negotiator with the Natural Areas Program at Metro, the Portland-area regional government. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon law school and has been an Oregon State Bar member since 1991.

Woodlands Conservancy is a 501-C-3, nonprofit organization created with the mission to preserve and restore an ecosystem dedicated to creating daily public opportunities for recreation, ecotourism and education in a natural and historic setting. The vision of Woodlands Conservancy is to be the regional model for the conservation of hardwood forests, and a leader in the advocacy and preservation of Louisiana’s coastal forest ecosystems.

The Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District (District) is led by a locally elected board of directors whose responsibility is to plan and oversee the delivery of services and programs that help conserve and protect water and soil resources, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources in Yamhill County. The District is a unit of local government, and implements its programs and services in partnership with volunteers, non-profits, state and federal agencies, school districts and universities, watershed councils, landowners, and many others.