Overarching themes
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?
We once again challenge our presenters to consider incorporating into their sessions several cross-cutting themes that are critical to the future of land conservation.
Inclusion: A culture that fosters diversity, equity, support and respect within every facet of organizational services. Preference will be given to proposals that include a diversity of 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.
Water: Prioritizing the protection and restoration of water resources, working with partners to ensure healthy water for people to drink, recreate, and provide for economic stability and undertaking watershed protection and restoration efforts that improve water quality, address water quantity and provide for equitable access.
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.
- Addressing climate change: Climate resilience; land-based carbon offset markets; communications strategies around climate; renewable energy development and siting; carbon storage and sequestration; natural disaster preparedness and response
- Administering easements: annual monitoring (including remote monitoring) and easement administration; addressing potential violations; landowner relationships; insurance
- Communicating successfully: refining your identity/brand to build broader and deeper support; maximizing the impact of your communications tools; social networking strategies; communications planning
- Conserving working lands: conservation of working landscapes including farms and ranches; managing and restoring forests; regenerative agriculture; Farm Bill programs
- Doing deals: Transaction due diligence; drafting conservation easements; baseline documentation; appraisals; legal and tax issues
- Engaging community: Working to center people in land conservation; equity and inclusion; building authentic partnerships with your community; environmental justice; access to land
- Managing your organization: accreditation; effective governance, decision-making and risk management; organizational development; board and staff management; strategic planning; transition and succession planning
- Securing support: Effectively borrowing money; leveraging public money; diversified fundraising strategies; developing an effective case for support; managing membership, annual giving and major donor programs; planned giving
- Stewarding and restoring land: Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems; restoration of land and water resources; natural disaster recovery including storms and wildfires; fee land management plans; public access and trails