A Publication by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association
Fall 2008
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Accreditation Commission Announces Nation's First Accredited Land Trusts
Six of the 39 are Pennsylvania Organizations
Six Pennsylvania land trusts were accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission at the inaugural awards ceremony held during Rally 2008 (the National Land Conservation Conference) in Pittsburgh on September 19th.
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association applauds these pioneering organizations who have achieved accreditation and helped the Commission smooth the process for future applicants.
and trusts applying for accreditation submit extensive documentation and make a significant commitment of time and money to participate. In a rigorous review process, the Commission examines each application, interviews the land trust and evaluates multiple sources of information, including comments from the public.
“Through the accreditation process land trusts have dramatically increased the funding dedicated to stewarding and defending conservation land in perpetuity, engaged and trained board members and new citizen conservation leaders, and improved systems for managing land and ensuring that the terms of conservation easements are being upheld,” remarked Tammara Van Ryn, Executive Director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
A total of thirty-nine land trusts were awarded accreditation from across the country. To learn more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
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Congratulations to Pennsylvania’s First Accredited Land Trusts
Bedminster Land Conservancy
“We are delighted to receive this very valued ‘seal of approval’ and will display our accreditation seal with honor. The pilot program helped us refine and improve some of our practices and ensure that we are on the right path with regard to others. Although it was a big undertaking for our small land trust, we knew it would help us ensure we were doing the ‘right thing’ for land preservation in our area.”
- Wendy Battisti, President
Brandywine Conservancy
“Accreditation brings credibility and accountability to the land trust community through national recognition of our commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards. The process is a great team-building effort and creates an opportunity for young and old organizations to step back, evaluate land trust policies and procedures, and make improvements.”
- Sherri-Evans Stanton, Director / Environmental Management Center
Countryside Conservancy
“Applying for accreditation was demanding and time-consuming, especially for the staff, but it began paying off even before we submitted our application in terms of making us improve our professional practices. After going through the accreditation process, we really have thought through the big questions in land conservation.”
- Mary Felley, Executive Director
Heritage Conservancy
“The accreditation process was challenging at times, but it’s very gratifying to have participated in the pilot program and achieve the milestone of being a part of the first group of land trusts to be accredited. Heritage Conservancy is proud to have received this national recognition from the Land Trust Alliance and will display the accreditation seal with great honor.”
- Cliff David, President
North Branch Land Trust
“When the prospect of accreditation appeared on the horizon, the staff and board at the North Branch Land Trust were intrigued. When the pilot rounds opened, we immediately formed an accreditation committee, submitted our paperwork and were accepted into Pilot Round Two. The application process was daunting, and often tedious; however, our organization, clients and supporters are so much better off for our experience.”
- Linda Thoma, Director of Operations
Willistown Conservation Trust
“We did not make the decision to apply for accreditation lightly, and it took a great deal of staff and board time and resources to complete. But, there is no doubt that it was worth the effort, and that we now are a stronger and more efficient organization. The process helped us refine our systems and rethink some of our internal procedures. With this accreditation, our supporters should feel confident that we have the resources in place to ensure the permanence of our conservation efforts.”
- Jeannie B. Van Alen, Executive Director
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Graphic Representation of Conserved & Developed Lands in Pennsylvania in 2008
What will this graphic look like in 50 years?
See below for three possible futures.
*Based on Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 2003 statistical update of 1997 National Resources Inventory and 299 acres/day development rate from 2003 to 2008; and **Based on inventory on table below.
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Pennsylvania Lands Dedicated to Conservation & Recreation
Scenario A: Business As Usual
Assumption: Land consumption continues upward trend to average 600 acres/day. |
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Land consumption has doubled over the 1992-1997 rate. Considering that land consumption TRIPLED between 1982 and 1997, this projection may considerably understate future land consumption.
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Scenario B: Growth Management
Assumption: Land consumption slows to 1992-1997 rate of 99 acres/day. |
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Pennsylvania in 50 years will be as developed as the New Jersey of today. New Jersey is the nation’s most densely populated state with 37% of its land developed.
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Scenario C: New Paradigm
Assumption: Land consumption contracts to the 1982-87 rate of 100 acres/day. |
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Dramatically higher energy prices and/or a total reworking of the state’s infrastructure investment policies and land use laws result in more efficient development.
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2008 Lifetime Leadership Award: The Honorable Judge Hart Rufe III
 The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association honors Judge William Hart Rufe III for
his decades of leadership & commitment to conservation
Each year, the Association honors an individual who has demonstrated decades of leadership and dedication in conserving our special places and landscapes. Judge Rufe’s hard work, lasting resolve and dedication to land conservation encapsulates what this award represents.
On a community, county, and state level, Judge Rufe has committed his adult life to volunteer activism in protecting the land and environment. Steadfast dedication, unquestioned sincerity, interminable energy and insightful leadership characterize his efforts on behalf of preserving the historic and natural heritage of the greater Delaware region.
The award was presented at the 2008 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference in Malvern. Read more about Judge Rufe at conserveland.org.
Photo Caption: From left to right: Jackie Kramer, PALTA President, Clifford David, Heritage Conservancy President, Hart Rufe III.
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2008 Government Leadership Award: Shrewsbury Township
 The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association honored Shrewsbury Township (York County) for its innovative land use planning and zoning regulations for the purpose of protecting sensitive and scenic areas and critical natural resources.
PALTA President Jackie Kramer applauds the township’s board of supervisors for their great work. “Shrewsbury Township’s comprehensive approach and commitment to protecting its natural resources is a real investment in the future of the community and illustrates strong leadership and a true understanding of land use and zoning issues.”
The award was presented at the 2008 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference in Malvern and Township Chairman Paul Solomon accepted the award on behalf of the township.
On behalf of the land conservation community, the Association thanks the elected and appointed officials of Shrewsbury Township for their remarkable leadership and commitment to land preservation efforts.
Read more about Shrewsbury Township at conserveland.org.
Photo Caption: From left to right: Paul Soloman, Shrewsbury Township Board Chairman and Jackie Kramer, PALTA President.
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2008 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Grows
The 6th Annual Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference was held this April at the Desmond Hotel in Chester County. The event attracted 395 attendees from across the Commonwealth and beyond and received an overall evaluation rating of 4.58 (out of 5).
The conference offered 90.5 hours of training through eleven full-day and half-day seminars and twenty-one 90-minute workshops. A variety of topics were covered that support the work of land conservation practitioners, municipal officials, planners, landscape architects, appraisers, foresters and attorneys. Course materials are available at conserveland.org/conferences/2008/coursematerials.
Next year's conference will be held May 7-9 at the Penn Stater in State College. Workshop/roundtable proposals are currently being accepted online at conserveland.org.
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Cast a Vote for Land Conservation this Fall
 >The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association is teaming up with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to build widespread interest in conservation and remind everyone, that as individuals, we play a critical role in the future of Pennsylvania’s natural resources. Our actions – whether large or small – make a difference.
As a promotional effort for the iConservePA initiative, DCNR is hosting an online election this fall where Pennsylvanians can select their favorite conservation cause to receive a $5,000 cash prize. Five of iConservePA’s founding “PA icons” – real people doing real conservation – have been selected to be candidates in the election, each representing a different conservation cause: water; open space protection; trees and forests; habitat and native species; and trails and volunteerism. Each candidate and cause is attached to a conservation organization that will receive the prize money if their candidate/cause wins. The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association is one of those organizations and our cause is Open Space & Land Conservation, represented by Dana.
When you vote, you’ll be entered to win a Backyard Conservation package consisting of a Spruce Creek Rainsaver rain barrel and Tumbleweed composter courtesy of the Spruce Creek Company. While you’re visiting www.iConservePA.org, sign–up to receive SEEDS, a concise and informative monthly electronic newsletter, or answer a few questions and become a PAiCon yourself – another ambassador for conservation in Pennsylvania.
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Case Law Review: Recent "Open Space Lands Act" Cases
Municipal acquisition of land for public park purposes, and the construction of improvements and maintenance thereof, have always been recognized as a legitimate purpose of local governments. The concept of “recreational use” has likewise been broadly defined, to include such concentrated activities as basketball courts, tennis courts and swimming pools on the one hand and bucolic trails for bird watching and other “passive” recreational uses, on the other. Municipal governments’ efforts to preserve open space for the sake of agricultural and land conservation uses are a more recent phenomenon.
The authority for local governments – here most particularly second class townships – to do these functions is premised upon two separate laws, the Second Class Township Code, 53 P.S. §65101, et. seq. (and for other forms of municipalities, their respective codes) and the Open Space Lands Act, 32 P.S. § 5001, et seq. (“OSLA”).
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Grassroots Hero Passes Away
For Bob Sugarman, “grassroots” was a way of life -- an attorney and activist whose involvement with environmental and conservation issues, and civil rights spanned 40 years and two countries. He was a lifelong advocate for community activism in southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond and worked hard to ensure that his efforts supported the good of the community.
One of his victories was the Natale Case for which he served as counsel for the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust in defense of an eased property.
“Natale was just one of a number of important issues on which he worked so passionately” recalls the Trust’s Immediate Past President Stockton Illoway. “Natale was important because it affects all conservation easements throughout the state and gives more protection to them.”
Attorney Patricia Pregmon added, "Bob vigorously fought the case for a decade... the conservation community owes him a debt of gratitude for his work on this case.”
Sugarman died June 27th after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 71.
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The incentives, which apply to a landowner’s federal income tax, will:
- Raise the deduction a donor can take for donating a voluntary conservation agreement from 30% of their income in any year to 50%;
- Allow farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100% of their income; and
- Increase the number of years over which a donor can take deductions from 6 to 16 years.
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Congress Extends Federal Tax Incentive for Conservation
An extension of the enhanced tax incentives for conservation was incorporated into the recent Farm Bill which was passed this spring. This measure is expected to assist in the conservation of a million or more acres of farms and precious landscapes across the nation.
The enhanced incentives, which were originally passed in September of 2005, expired January 1st of this year. With this new passage, the incentives are now retroactive to the beginning of the year and will last through 2009.
Work is underway in Congress to make these incentives permanent with legislation moving forward in both chambers. H.R. 1576 already has 176 bipartisan co-sponsors. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has introduced S. 469 with 27 co-sponsors. Learn more at conserveland.org.
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Natural Gas Conference Addresses Critical Conservation Issues
In response to the dramatic increase in natural gas exploration and drilling activities and its impacts on conservation, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association held a two-day Natural Gas Conference in June, attracting 118 attendees.
Conference materials and additional natural gas resources are available at conserveland.org/pp/naturalgas.
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Visit conserveland.org/
model_documents
Pennsylvania Conservation
Easement & Commentary
(revised 9/11/2008)
Trail Easement & Commentary
(revised 9/11/2008)
Fishing Access Agreement
(revised 9/26/2007)
Riparian Forest Buffer Protection Agreement & Commentary
(revised 11/28/2005)
Water Quality Improvement Easement (revised 7/15/2005)
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New Editions of the Model Pennsylvania Conservation Easement
and Trail Easement Agreement Published in September
Most of the changes in the new edition of the model conservation easement focus on energy issues – expanding the possibility of renewable energy activities at the Holder’s discretion as well as providing for non-developmental natural gas extraction. The 64-page commentary has been greatly expanded to suggest other options and considerations.
The new edition of the trail easement, which updates the first edition published in September 2007, provides users with expanded options for providing public access and meeting landowner concerns in trail projects. The model was enthusiastically received by dozens of workshop attendees at Rally 2008 in Pittsburgh.
Questions concerning the model easements can be addressed to Andy Loza at aloza@conserveland.org.
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Model Conservation Easement Adopted by Two-Thirds of PA Land Trusts
The Pennsylvania Model Documents, including the Pennsylvania Conservation Easement, were developed by the Association to provide state-of-the-art tools to conservation organizations. Sixty-two land trusts have executed easements in Pennsylvania and fifty-three land trusts have active easement acquisition programs.
Of Pennsylvania land trusts actively acquiring easements, 66% are using the Pennsylvania Conservation Easement. Eleven percent of land trusts actively pursuing easements are either planning to use it, using it selectively, or most likely going to adopt it. The model is also being discovered by a growing number of users across the country.
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PALTA Welcomes New Board Members and Honors Outgoing Directors
 On behalf of the Association, we would like to welcome the following new directors, who joined the board in June: Tom Saunders, President/CEO, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy; Kimberly Murphy, President, Berks County Conservancy; and Patrick Dougherty, President, Pocono Heritage Land Trust.
Incoming Association President, Molly Morrison (pictured in the right of each of the photos) honored the following outgoing board members at the 2008 Pennsylvania Land Conference in April for their conservation leadership:
Jennifer Shuey, (top photo, left) Association Director (2002-08) and Secretary (2007-08);
Patricia L. Pregmon, (center photo, left) Association Director (2002-08); and
Jackie Kramer, (bottom photo, left) Association Director (2002-08) and President (2007-08). .
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2009 PA Land Conservation Conference
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 ConserveLand is a publication of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association
Nicole Faraguna, ConserveLand Editor
717.230.8560
nfaraguna@conserveland.org
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