Overarching Themes for Proposals
Land trusts are faced with issues and opportunities that are often complex and require a more comprehensive approach. As we look to the future and consider the long-term resilience and relevance of our land (and water) conservation efforts, what lessons can we share that will help us increase our impact?
For the second time in 2020, we are challenging our presenters to consider incorporating into their sessions two cross-cutting themes that are critical to the future of land conservation. As land trusts, how might we think about how to plan, engage, adapt, mitigate and address these themes?
Inclusion: A culture that fosters diversity, equity, support and respect within every facet of organizational services. Preference will be given to proposals that involve partners as presenters.
Climate Change: Multi-faceted implications of and strategies for a changing climate that range, for example, from nature-based climate solutions on natural and working lands to recovery from natural disasters to effective climate communication strategies for any audience.
Areas of Focus:
The descriptions are for guidance only and are not meant to limit great ideas or suggestions for workshops. Please consider the primary audience and content to determine the most appropriate area of focus.
Building Support through Fundraising and Membership: Building sustainable organizations through diversified fundraising strategies; developing an effective case for support; managing membership, annual giving, major donor programs; grant seeking and writing; capital campaigns; relationship science and philanthropy. Advanced topics encouraged.
Community-Centered Conservation: Working to center people in land conservation and meet community needs. This can include examples of dynamic and cross-sectoral partnerships with sectors including, but not limited to, education, public health, sustainable food systems, equitable access to the outdoors, community economic development and affordable housing. Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate strategic and authentic community engagement and feature community partners as presenters. Rural, suburban and/or urban examples are encouraged.
Communicating Effectively: Refining your identity/brand to build broader and deeper support; strategic communication planning; maximizing the impact of your website, newsletters and other communications tools; staying abreast of social networking strategies; effective messaging.
Doing Deals and Ensuring Permanence: Transaction due diligence; drafting conservation easements; baseline documentation; appraisals; legal and tax issues; stewardship; landowner relationships; monitoring and recordkeeping; dealing with condemnation, amendments, trespass and violations.
Financing for Conservation: Where and how to get money for deals including innovative fundraising; effectively borrowing money; leveraging public and philanthropic money with other sources such as private investment capital; engaging wealth managers and accessing carbon finance through market and practice-based incentives on natural and working lands.
Managing Land and Water Resources: Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems; land and water management; water rights; climate adaptation and mitigation; restoration; conservation of working landscapes including farms and ranches; partnering with young farmers; forest management; managing for public access and educational opportunities.
Organizational Impact: Effective governance, decision-making and risk management; addressing conflict of interests; organizational development; board recruitment and orientation; staff management; financial management; strategic planning; transition and succession planning.
Public Policy: New and emerging policy issues facing land conservation; Strategies to advance policy priorities at the federal, state and local level; Building relationships with public officials; Mobilizing your board and supporters; Advocacy communications.
Strategic Conservation Vision: Long-term conservation planning and acquisition priorities; watershed and coastal planning; using partnerships effectively; landscape-scale conservation; land use planning and addressing community development needs; planning for climate change impacts such as sea level rise, species loss and habitat changes.
Technology Tools: New and emerging technologies that provide new ways to manage, program and advocate for land conservation; IT Security; using GIS effectively; using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones); developing a mobile App; selecting a database management system to meet your needs; website and database security.