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. 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.
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. Some proposals may fit in more than one area of focus – please select the best fit based on your outline and objectives.
Addressing Climate Change: Climate resilience; forest carbon offset markets; communications strategies around climate; renewable energy; managing and restoring forests
Caring for Land: Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems; land and water management and restoration; conservation of working landscapes including farms and ranches; managing for public access; stewardship and monitoring
Engaging Community: Working to center people in land conservation and meet community needs; equity and inclusion; building authentic partnerships with your community; access to land
Leading Effectively: Effective governance, decision-making and risk management; organizational development; board and staff management; strategic planning; advocacy; transition and succession planning
Protecting Land: Transaction due diligence; drafting conservation easements; baseline documentation; appraisals; legal and tax issues; strategic conservation
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; refining your identity/brand to build broader and deeper support; maximizing the impact of your communications tools