TechSoup

http://www.techsoup.org

"The technology place for nonprofits"

LTA Fact Sheet - Lobbying 101 for Land Trusts

http://

This  document  is  one  of  a  series  of  fact  sheets  and  reference  materials  produced  by  the  Land  Trust  Alliance. Please  contact  LTA  for  additional  information  or  to  order  materials.

Worry-Free Lobbying For Nonprofits: How To Use The 501(h) Election

http://

This publication was wrote to stimulate the interest of foundations and public charities to  explore how lobbying can be conducted legally and effectively via the 501(h) election.

AppraisalOrder.com

http://http;//www.appraisalorder.com

National directory of real estate appraisers.

Appraisers R USA

http://

A nationwide listing service specializing in qualified Licensed/Certified real estate appraisers.  Our site is designed to quickly network qualified appraisers with mortgage professionals.

AppraiserUSA.com

http://www.appraiserusa.com

Nationwide online search engine to locate appraisers.

Conservation Easements & Appraisals

http://

Fact Sheet - This material is designed to provide accurate, authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.  It is provided with the understanding that the Land Trust Alliance is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional counsel.  If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of competent professionals should be sought.

IRS Issued Guidance on the New Law Affecting Appraisers/Appraisels

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Guidance Regarding Appraisal Requirements for Noncash Charitable Contributions

Non-Cash Contributions: Qualified Appraisals & Valuation Penalties for...

http://www.cof.org/files/Documents/Government/Charitable%20Reform%20Resource%20Center/06QualAppraisN

Fact Sheet on Section 1219 of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (H.R. 4) increases penalties on overvaluation and undervaluation of non-cash property on donors and appraisers.

Easement Audits in Colorado: What Can We Learn From Them?

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Lessons learned by the Colarado Coalition of Land Trusts when dealing with the IRS in terms of their auditing procedures.

Case Law Review (Fall 2003)

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The focus of this edition of Case Law Review is the recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision  in C&M Developers, Inc. v. Bedminster Township ZHB, a decision which has proven to be  difficult to fully comprehend or predict how it will be applied in future cases. In addition, this  edition includes a review of the first appellate court decision dealing with the new “forestry”  provisions in Article VI of the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), requiring all municipalities  to allow timber harvesting as a use by right.

Case Law Review (Spring 2005)

http://

This article highlights three land use cases of interest. The first is from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, with the Opinion having been written by Justice Lamb just before his departure from the bench. The second is a thorough analysis of the types of issues that will not justify the denial of a subdivision or land development plan. The third is a classic example of what happens when municipal subdivision and land development requirements—here involving tree replacement—go beyond the bounds of reasonableness.

Case Law Review (Winter 2004)

http://

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court during the last few years has taken a more active role in reviewing land use cases.  2003 saw the Pennsylvania Supreme Court hand down several decisions, coinciding as well with Justice William Lamb’s tenure on the Court.  Three of the Supreme Court’s important decisions were authored by Justice Lamb during the final months of his tenure and these three decisions will be the subject of this Article.  It is fair to say that while Justice Lamb’s tenure on the Court was brief, his insight into land use issues as reflected in these three cases is clear evidence that  he well served the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during his term on the Court.

LTA Fact Sheet: Backup Grantees

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It is vital that every land trust consider what will happen to its assets if the organization ceases to exist or can no longer steward or administer its easements. Land trusts should have a contingency plan for all of their easements in case of such events. One strategy is to include backup or contingency provisions in the easement. While there are variations on this practice, a backup or “executory” interest grantee is usually empowered to enforce an easement if the original grantee fails to do so, or to take over an easement if the original grantee can no longer manage it.

LVC Sample Fundraising Letter I

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Sample fundraising letter that targets individuals that have given to the organization in the past.

Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy Report to Membership

http://www.npcweb.org

Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy's most recent newsletter

Well Preserved Updates from Neighborhood Gardens Association

http://www.ngalandtrust.org/

The Neighborhood Gardens Association is a land trust working to conserve gardens in Philadelphia.

Conservation Easements: A Professional Guide

http://www.galandtrust.org/PDF%20files/GLT%20Professionals%20Guide%20to%20CE.pdf

A Continuing Education Workshop presented by Georgia Land Trust

Guidance on the Phasing of Conservation Easements for Colorado Entities

http://

Describes planned phasing projects that can have the mutual benefits of achieving an  organization’s conservation objectives while still maximizing the landowner’s financial  goals.

Heritage Conservancy Acquisition Checklist

http://

A detailed easement acquisition checklist for land trusts and conservancies based on best practices and real life experiences.

Sharing Stewardship

http://www.sharingstewardship.org/

SharingStewardship.org is a freely accessible assessment resource for land conservation organizations. We hope this site will be of use to your organization, and encourage your participation in future development of the program.

StewardshipCosts.xls

http://

An excel sheet that assists land trusts in estimating stewardship costs.

Saul Ewing LLP

http://www.saul.com/welcome.htm

George Asimos, Esq. has presented on "Bullet-Proof Boilerplate" at the Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference.

A Guide to Preserving Agricultural Lands in the Chesapeake Bay Region

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A primer on the benefits of farmland preservation and a comprehensive list of available tools.

Conservation Capital: Sources of Private Funding for Land Conservation

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The guide covers familiar strategies, including bargain sales and private philanthropy, and it explains novel approaches, such as tapping new-markets tax credits and forming partnerships with a new generation of corporations that own forest lands. Throughout, Ingerson shows how these tools can make land protection both more affordable and more effective in an era of shrinking public dollars for conservation.

Conservation Easements Brochure

http://www.brandywineconservancy.org/conservation_easments/

Coordinating Opposite Approaches to Managing Urban Growth & Curbing Sprawl

http://

The purchase of development rights to farmland and open space has recently gained in popularity as a growth management tool. A purchase of development rights program pays the landowner for the unearned increment in exchange for strong deed restrictions, limiting the use of the property. On the other hand, land value taxation, a modification of Henry George's Single Tax, would tax land more heavily than improvements, thus encouraging the development of land. While land value taxation and the purchase of development rights appear to be opposing fiscal policies, they could be employed together as part of a regional planning strategy to encourage in-fill development within and near cities and to curb sprawl by retaining farm, forest, and ranch lands.

Land Protection Options, Revised 2nd Edition

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In-depth introduction to tools, programs, partners and other resources for Minnesota landowners who want to preserve their land. Explains options such as easements, deed restrictions, and mutual covenants in lay terms. Includes landowner profiles, a decision-making checklist, and tax and land management considerations. The Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, The Trust for Public Land, and The Minnesota Land Trust

LTA Fact Sheet: Conservation Buyer Transactions

http://

This  document  is  one  of  a  series  of  fact  sheets  and  reference  materials  produced  by  the  Land  Trust  Alliance. Please  contact  us  for  additional  information  or  to  order  materials.

Reinventing Conservation Easements: A Critical Examination and Ideas for R

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Part One of this report provides an introduction to some of the issues arising from conservation  easements, as foretold at the time of the enactment of the federal laws that granted them tax  subsidies. Part One also describes the reasons why the public has a stake in conservation  easements and in their content and governance.  Part Two provides a Primer on Land Trusts and Conservation Easements, including defining  terms, providing historical context and reporting current trends and a preview of the future  problems that they present. Part Three specifically discusses issues emanating from conservation easements and evaluates a  number of alternative ways to resolve them.

The Conservation Easement: A Flexible Tool for Preserving Family Lands

http://

4 pages.

Wetlands Reserve Program Fact Sheet

http://

CREP Frequently Asked Questions (PGC)

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?A=483&QUESTION_ID=151476

DEP Stream Bank Fencing Program Fact Sheet

http://

Understanding the Science Behind Riparian Forest Buffers

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/420-151/420-151.html

The riparian area is that area of land located immediately adjacent to streams, lakes, or other surface waters. Some would describe it as the floodplain. The boundary of the riparian area and the adjoining uplands is gradual and not always well-defined. However, riparian areas differ from the uplands because of high levels of soil moisture, frequent flooding, and the unique assemblage of plant and animal communities found there. Through the interaction of their soils, hydrology, and biotic communities, riparian forests maintain many important physical, biological, and ecological functions, and important social benefits.

Taking of Land by Townships for Recreational & Open Space Purposes

http://conserveland.org/features/felderarticle

A review of the recent court case, Middletown Township v. Lands of Stone, in which the Commonwealth Court upheld a 2nd class township's right to condemn land for open space.
<p>
<a href="http://conserveland.org/features/felderarticle">View HTML Version</a>

Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice (Reference Edition)

http://

A guide for charities & foundations.

USDA Forest Service

http://www.fs.fed.us/

The Forest Service was established in 1905 and is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands, which encompass 193 million acres. more »

Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Brochure

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/RECBROCHURE2003.pdf

Provides an overview of the grant programs and other services available from the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Financing Municipal Recreation and Parks

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/Finance_Handbook.pdf

This resource guide is designed to help staff and volunteers responsible for managing municipal recreation and parks services wade through the maze of financing possibilities. Whether you are a rookie or an experienced veteran, this publication will be helpful.

PA DCNR Grant Programs - Descriptions

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/general02.aspx

Desciptions of PA DCNR's current grant programs including Growing Greener, grants for land acquisition and facilities development, trail construction, etc.

A Guide to Funding Recreation & Conservation Projects

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/fundingbrc.pdf

A basic guide for local governments, non profit organizations and citizen.s

Central Pennsylvania Conservancy Fundraising Plan (February 2006)

http://

eNonprofit Benchmark Study

http://

This study provides a snapshot of key metrics & benchmarks for nonproft e-mail communications, online fundraising & online advocacy, primarily taken from an in-depth review of statistics from 15 non profit organizations.

LTA Fact Sheet: Planned Giving

http://

This  document  is  one  of  a  series  of  fact  sheets  and  reference  materials  produced  by  the  Land  Trust  Alliance. Please  contact  us  for  additional  information  or  to  order  materials.

LVC Fundraising/Marketing Outreach Plan

http://

Sample plan to develop effective fundraising practices and stronger membership program.

Active Living for Social Equity: Creating Health Communities for All Reside

http://

This guide serves two main purposes. First, it seeks to  provide local government managers, department heads,  and staff with a basic understanding of the connections  between active living and social equity. Second, it offers a  toolbox of local government strategies for addressing these  issues.

Build Out Analyses

http://

Conservation Opportunities for Corridor Preservation & Community Development. Route 41 passes through or near nine communities that contain  extensive prime farmland and is under threat from development. This is a buildout analyses for those communities impacted and assists  municipalities who want to address increased land development pressures by quantifying the  amount of development that current zoning would allow for a 20 year period from 2003-2023.

Community Development & Smart Growth: Stopping Sprawl at its Source

http://

Endangered by Sprawl

http://

How Runaway Development Threatens America's Wildlife

Local Area Plans (Southeastern PA and Southern NJ)

http://www.dvrpc.org/planning/community/local.htm

In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the primary responsibility for land use planning and development decisions rests at the municipal level. As a regional organization, DVRPC is available to facilitate or undertake the preparation of multi-municipal plans, particularly in areas or corridors of new transportation investments. We have assisted the townships and boroughs of our older suburbs to prepare coordinated economic development and revitalization plans for multi-municipal corridors. DVRPC has also worked with local community development corporations and neighborhood associations to prepare comprehensive neighborhood plans.

The EAC Handbook

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/EACHB.pdf

This booklet provides insight in establishing an Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) in your municipality, its rights and responsibilities, and guidance in making your EAC an effective tool for your community.  An EAC is a group of community residents, appointed by the elected officials, to advise them and other municipal officials about the protection, conservation, management, promotion and use of natural resources.

Landowner's Guide to Conservation Buffer Incentive Programs in PA

http://

This guide is a compilation of the major federal, state and private voluntary conservation programs that provide financial incentives to private landowners for the installation of conservation buffers in Pennsylvania.

Attracting Wildlife: Sources of Assistance

http://

Considering Leasing Contracts for CRP Trees

http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/service/library/index.php3?docID=208

Summary of lease options and considerations of landowners for use when their conservation reserve contract expires.

Forest *A* Syst

http://

A self-assessment guide for managing your forest for timber production, wildlife, recreation & aesthetics and water quality.

Forest Stewardship: Best Management Practices for Pennsylvania Forests

http://

Invasive Exotic Plants In Pennsylvania List

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/invasivetutorial/List.htm

The primary purpose of this list is to identify those plants that are invasive and cause damage to native plant communities. The intention is to foster early detection so that land managers can implement management actions to prevent exotics from becoming established. It is also intended to educate land managers and the public in an effort to eliminate the use of invasives in landscaping, restoration and enhancement projects.

Landowner's Guide to Wildlife Control & Prevention Laws in Pennsylvania

http://

This publication provides basic information for PA landowners regarding their rights to control nuisance wildlife.

Management Practices for Enhancing Wildlife Habitat

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Plants for Beneficial Insects

http://www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/PlantsForBeneficialInsects.html

The Dirty Dozen: PA's 12 Worst Invasives

http://www.paconserve.org/rc/ls-12.html

Introduction to Conservation Easements

http://conserveland.org/information/con101/conservationeasement

A conservation easement is an agreement between a landowner and a land trust or governmental body that limits certain uses on all or a portion of a property while keeping the property in the landowner’s ownership and control. Click on the heading for more information.

Land Conservation Strategies

http://www.heritageconservancy.org/news/easements.php

Conservation Easements Questions & Answers

Amending Conservation Easements

http://

Powerpoint presentation providing overview of easement amendments and guiding principles.

Oil & Gas Development in Pennsylvania

http://

Powerpoint Presentation from the industry perspective.

Regulation of the Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Industry

http://

Powerpoint presentation: a short course on requirements for oil & gas wells

Land Vote 2003

http://

Report tracking land conservation ballot measures nationwide for 2003 (2004).

Land Vote 2005

http://

Report tracking land conservation ballot measures nationwide for 2005 (2006).

A Conservation Easement Guide for Landowners

http://

The Conservancy’s most common method of land protection is the conservation easement, where alandowner gives up (donates or sells) certain property rights to the land trust in order to protect specific resources.  All of LPOSC’s conservation easements have been donated, and most haveresulted in significant tax benefits for the donors.

A Landowner's Guide: Conservation Easements for Natural Resource Protection

http://www.p2pays.org/ref/14/13632.htm

This is one of a series of resource papers on proactive strategies for a healthy environment published by the Georgia Environmental Policy Institute and the Georgia Land Trust Service Center. Funding for the first edition of this resource paper was provided by the Lyndhurst Foundation, the Broad River Action Group, the Georgia Civil Justice Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund and the Sonoran Institute. Funding for the second edition was provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Conservation Easement Guidelines: What Every Colorado Landowner Should Know

http://

This reference guide was written for landowners who are either considering a conservation easement, or who would like to know more about the conservation easement process. This document neither provides nor replaces legal advice, does share experience with land protection at a national and a state-wide level and includes a summary of many conservation
easement studies that specifically focus on landowner perspectives about land protection.

Land Conservation Strategies: A Guide for Landowners

http://

5 pages.

Landowner's Guide to Wildlife Control & Prevention Laws in Pennsylvania

http://

This publication provides basic information for PA landowners regarding their rights to control nuisance wildlife.

Oil & Gas at Your Door: A Landowner's Guide to Oil & Gas Development

http://www.earthworksaction.org/LOguidechapters.cfm#CHAPTERS

This is the 2nd addition.

In 2004, the first edition of Oil and Gas at Your Door? was published. Within 7 months we had distributed more than 1500 copies to landowners, citizens' groups, government employees, ranchers, hunters, anglers, industry representatives, academics, libraries, and media representatives from across the U.S., Canada, and several other countries.

Working Forest Conservation Easements: A Primer for Landowners

http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Pages/Workingforestfs/Workingforest.htm

If forest landowners want to ensure that their forest stewardship efforts extend beyond their tenure and are available for future generations to use and cherish, they must act responsibly and take charge of the direction and long-term future of their land. The question is how to assure that their property is managed responsibly? There are a variety of estate planning tools available to accomplish this task. A Working Forest Conservation Easement (WFCE) may be the answer.

PA Recreational Use of Land & Water Act

http://

A fact sheet discussing the legal aspects of RULWA

Ishmael Community

http://www.ishmael.org/welcome.cfm

Web Life

http://weblife.org

free information for life

American Farmland Trust

http://www.farmland.org/

American Rivers

http://www.amrivers.org

Center for Invasive Plant Management

http://www.weedcenter.org

Envirolandscaping

http://envirolandscaping.org

Farmland Information Center

http://www.farmlandinfo.org

Land Trust Accreditation Commission

http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org

National Wildlife Federation

http://www.nwf.org/

Planned Giving Design Center

http://www.pgdc.com

A national network of hosting organizations that proudly provide over 23,000 members with timely, objective content on the subjects of charitable taxation and planned giving; an engaging community; and a collection of services aimed at facilitating charitable gifts.

Sierra Club

http://www.sierraclub.org/

Society for Conservation Biology

http://conbio.net/scb

The Groundwater Foundation

http://groundwater.org/

The Trust For Public Land

http://www.tpl.org/

World Resources Institute

http://www.wri.org/

Annual Leased Acreage of State Forest Land

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/sfrmp/documents/Minerals_Cummulative_Leased_Oil_Gas_Acreage.pdf

Graph depicting the annual state forest acreage leased for natural gas and oil  exploration and storage.  1947-2006

Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale

http://

Leasing your Gas - What you should know

http://www.coalfieldjustice.org/documents/landownersworkshop/gas_%20leasing_info.pdf

A small pamphlet of the 10 items you should consider before you lease your land.

PA's Historical Income Stream from Gas and Oil Leases

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/sfrmp/documents/Minerals_Cummulative_Leased_Oil_Gas_Acreage.pdf

Graph depicting Pennsylvania's Income stream from leasing state lands for gas exploration and storage, from 1947 to 2006.

Practical Pointer Series: Gas Exploration, Extraction & Conservation

http://

Gas extraction lease provisions to be addressed to preserve conservation values and ensure fair payment.

DCNR Oil and Gas Lease (2008)

http://Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

The lease that the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources uses when leasing state forest and park land for oil and gas drilling.

Geology.com

http://geology.com/articles/marcellus-shale.shtml

Wed site with maps and up-to date information on the Marcellus Shale area

Natural Gas Lease Forum for Landowners

http://www.pagaslease.com/

Information and public forums on Natural Gas drilling and leasing here in Pennsylvania.

The Marcellus Today

http://marcellustoday.blogspot.com/

News and Economics from the Marcellus Shale-Reporting on the Marcellus Natural Gas Situation.  Very complete and up-to-date information.

Alliance for Justice

http://www.allianceforjustice.org

Funding Open Space

http://www.fundingopenspace.org

This web site describes Pennsylvania municipal options for financing the protection of open space, describes successful municipal efforts to create dedicated funding for municipal open space programs, and provides links to other relevant information.

GreenWorks

http://www.greenworks.tv

Invasive Species

http://www.invasive.org

Living on Earth

http://www.loe.org/index.php

North American Native Plant Society

http://www.nanps.org

Pennsylvania Flora Project

http://www.paflora.org

Pest Detection & Management Programs (USDA)

http://www.aphis.usda.gov

Election Year Activities and the Prohibition on Political Campaign Activity

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html

The IRS considers this fact sheet a living document, one that will be revised to take into account future developments and feedback.  This fact sheet is the beginning of the IRS effort to increase the educational material available to the community.

IRS Form 5768 - Expenditures to Influence Legislation

http://

Make A Difference For Your Cause

http://

Strategies for nonprofit engagement in legislative activity - this guide is intended to inspire and motivate 501c3 nonprofits to include legislative advocacy as a part of their core activities.

Worry-Free Lobbying For Nonprofits

http://

How To Use The 501(h) Election To Maximize Effectiveness

Locally Funded Open Space Programs (Southeastern PA and Southern NJ)

http://www.dvrpc.org/planning/environmental/openspace/local.htm

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (www.dvrpc.org) maintains this on-line map and written inventory of municipalities in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties that have approved dedicated public funding of local and county open space programs.  The list indicates the amount and type of funding as well when it was approved.

Open Space Financing 101

http://www.greenworks.tv/landsavers/webcast-openspacefinancing.htm

This web page and accompanying webcast describes the ways in which municipalities in Pennsylvania may create dedicated funding for open space protection and land conservation.

Allegheny County's Steep Slope Ordinance and Related Ordinances

http://

Attached is Art. V of the Allegheny County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.  Also attached isArticle IV, which is the required information for sketch plans, and preliminary and final applications.

Chapt. 1, Part 2 contains model regulations for environmetal protection and hazrd control.  Pgs. I-56 and I-62 are the model regulations for geologic hazards and steep slopes.

Draft Model Municipal Water Resources Ordinance

http://cleanwateraction.org/pa/

There are 9 provisions in this draft model ordinance: Comprehensive Stormwater Management, Riparian Buffer Zone Management, Steep Slope Conservation Districts, Woodland Protection, Wellhead Protection, Wetlands Protection, Floodplain Protection, Comprehensive Water Supply/Use Management and comprehensive Wastewater Management.  There are also extensive Appendices that go with the Stormwater ordinance.  Please note this is in the draft form, and has not yet been released

Growing Greener: Conservation by Design

http://

This booklet summarizes how municipalities can use the development process to their advantage to protect interconnected networks of open space: natural areas, greenways, trails and recreational lands. Communities can take control of their destinies so that their conservation goals are achieved in a manner fair to all parties concerned.

Model Ordinance - Riparian Buffer

http://ttp://www.montcopa.org/

Montgomery County Planning Commission
Court House - Box 311
Norristown, Pennsylvania 19404
610-278-3745
Fax 610-278-3941
E-mail: EJARRELL@mail.montcopa.org

Bureau of Farmland Protection

http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Agriculture/bureaus/farmland_protection/index.htm

Department of Environmental Protection

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/

Fish & Boat Commission

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/

House of Representatives

http://www2.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/memberinfo/representatives_alpha.cfm

Land Use Law Library

http://www.landuselawinpa.com/

Municipalities Planning Code made easy!

PA Code Online

http://www.pacode.com/

Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/pndi

Pennsylvania Wetland Website (DCNR)

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wlhabitat/aquatic/wetlands.htm

Senate

http://www2.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/memberinfo/senemail.cfm

Allegheny Trail Alliance

http://www.atatrail.org/ata-home.htm

Audubon Society

http://www.audubon.org/chapter/pa/pa/

Center for Environmental Quality @ Wilkes University

http://www.water-research.net

Environmental Educational, Laboratory, Research and Technical assistance related to a wide range of environmental projects including land development, stormwater BMP, hydrogeology, watershed issues, water quality monitoring, on-site wastewater disposal, and private well testing, quality, and treatment.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

http://www.cbf.org/

Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds

http://pa.water.usgs.gov/csaw/

Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds (C-SAW) is a team of specialists who provide eligible watershed groups or local project sponsors Program Management and Scientific Technical Assistance through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (PADEP) Growing Greener Program. The service is at no cost to eligible groups.  Partners include: USGS, Pennsylvania Association of RC&D Councils, Natural Resources Conservation Service an and many more Pennsylvania based education and environmental organizations.

Green Valleys Association

http://www.greenvalleys.org/

Keystone Conservation Trust

http://www.keystoneconservation.org/

Keystone Conservation Trust maximizes the legacy and value that land and property has for us all - individuals, communities, and organizations. We work with individuals to achieve their philanthropic legacy and increase their financial return through their home and property. We unlock new philanthropic capital for organizations. We increase the speed, capacity and quality of conservation success by advancing the best conservation practices. We galvanize strategic collaborations within communities to protect large, critical landscapes. Real estate is our business. Philanthropy and collaboration are our tools. Healthy communities are our goal.

Land Savers

http://www.greenworks.tv/landsavers

Millersville Environmental Institute

http://muweb.millersville.edu

North County Trail Association

http://www.northcountrytrail.org/index.htm

Penn State Agronomy Guide

http://agguide.agronomy.psu.edu/

Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture

http://www.pasafarming.org

Pennsylvania Biodiversity Partnership

http://www.biodiversitypartners.org/US/PA.html

Pennsylvania Environmental Council

http://www.pecpa.org/

Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Association

http://www.pafarmland.org

The Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Association is a non-profit, nonpartisan statewide incorporated association of conservation easement professionals, dedicated to promoting and enhancing the interests of agricultural land preservation in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/

Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society

http://www.prps.org/

Pennsylvania Trout

http://www.patrout.org

Pennsylvania's Greenway Clearinghouse

http://www.pagreenways.org

POWR (Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers)

http://www.pawatersheds.org/

South Central Assembly for Effective Government

http://www.southcentralassembly.org/

Adams County Public Dedication of Land for Parks Model Ordinance

http://www.adamscounty.us/adams/lib/adams/planning/county_plans/pros/appendix_e_model_ordinance.pdf

This is a county model ordinance that municipalities can use to create their own Dedication of Land for Parks or Cash in Lieu of Land ordinance.  Contains both a simple (for small municipalities) and a complex Model Ordinance.

Mandatory Dedication Ordinances across the Commonwealth (2/2008)

http://

A summary of public dedication ordinances adopted by municipalities across Pennsylvania

New Hanover Twp - Standards for Park and Recreation Areas; Fee in Lieu of

http://

An excerpt from the New Hanover Township (Montgomery County) Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, "Section 835. Standards for Park and Recreation Areas; Fee in Lieu of". Includes standards for dedication of trail and bikeway land. ???

North Coventry Twp Public Dedication and Fee-in-Lieu Ordinance

http://

This document is an excerpt from North Coventry Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance pertaining to public dedication and fees-in-lieu. Of particular note in this ordinance is that the dedication requirements are tied to the size of the lots to be developed rather than the more typical dwelling unit approach.

Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation

http://

The full title of this 29-page publication is "Public Dedication of Land and Fees-in-Lieu for Parks and Recreation: A Guide to Using Section 503(11) of the
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code." Pennsylvania municipalities may require developers to provide new parkland or pay fees to support recreation for residents of new developments. This guide explains how it can be done.

Township of Spriggettsbury - Fee in Lieu Ordinance

http://

The Township of Spriggettsbury's Fee in Lieu Ordinance

Township of Spring - Public Dedication Ordinance

http://

Spring Township's public dedication ordinance.

Costs & Revenues of Residential Development

http://

A Workbook for Citzens & Officials - This workbook is intended to help you conduct an economic analysis of a specific proposed residential development in your own community, using the Per Capita Multiplier method of analysis to predict the impacts on your school district and township or borough government. in terms of market values) ● School district earned income tax rate ● Township or borough real property equalized tax rate

Implementing a Municipal Open Space Program: A Guide for Pennsylvania's Municipalities

http://www.heritageconservancy.org/news/pdf/Implementing.pdf

This 36-page report in Adobe pdf format is intended to provide municipal officials with basic information related to planning for and implementing an effective open space program.

Public Finance for Open Space: A Guide for Pennsylvania's Municipalities

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2004 American Community Survey

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A National Survey on Communities

LandVote 2005

http://

The Trust  for Public Land and the Land Trust Alliance are pleased to present  LandVote 2005, our annual report detailing the year's conservation  ballot measures.

Livable Places: How Protecting Land Benefits Us All

http://

Evidence from a Trust for Public Land report suggests that parks and natural areas are an investment yielding important benefits, such as:  Economic, Improved public health, Strengthened neighborhoods, Environmental protection, and Preservation of natural beauty.

Growing Together: A Comprehensive Plan for Central Lancaster County

http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/planning/cwp/view.asp?a=776&q=534082

The Park and Open Space Plan excerpt from the regional comprehensive plan adopted by 11 municipalities in central Lancaster County as of spring 2007.

Saucon Region Official Plan

http://www.rothplan.net/sauconregion/Official%20Plan.pdf

A good example of a multi-municipal comprehensive recreation plan for the Saucon Region of Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting & Wild-life Associated Recreation

http://

The 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation is a partnership effort with the States and national conservation organizations, and has become one of the most important sources of information on fish and wildlife recreation in the United
States. It is a useful tool that quantifies the economic impact of wildlife-based recreation.

An Ecological & Physical Investigation of Pittsburgh's Hillsides

http://

Hillside slopes are both natural and man-made, the latter resulting from cuts for  highways, railroads, developments, and mining.  The variety of slopes and associated  landscape features, such as vegetative cover and streams, define the topographic relief of  an area.  Each element of relief - slopes, cover and streams - can have different roles in  defining a landscape, although they are often tightly associated.  The character of the  slopes - steepness, elevation, geophysical composition - and local ecological conditions –  rainfall, climate - will define the vegetation and hydrology of the landscape.  Consequently, one must consider the complete ecological complex associated with  hillsides, not just the steepness of its slopes.  It is this comecological functions and produces valuable services.

Economic Benefits of Open Space Report (1999)

http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=1195&folder_id=727

Economics of Open Space Conservation

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pifcapemay/kerlinger.htm

This paper is meant to serve as a primer, and is applicable primarily to suburban and rural areas, where many open-space conservation battles are being fought. Although I have not provided a detailed "how to" for the reader, it should be obvious how economic arguments can be integrated into open-space conservation strategies.

Governor's Outdoor Task Force Report (2008)

http://www.connectoutdoors.state.pa.us

In March 2007, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell convened a two-day conference and assembled experts and organizations with various perspectives on the relationship between people and the outdoors. A 16-member Task Force met to forge this final report, summarizing input from the conference and public meetings, and offering the recommendations that make up thsi report

LTA Fact Sheet: Economic Benefits of Open Space Protection

http://

This  document  is  one  of  a  series  of  fact  sheets  and  reference  materials  produced  by  the  Land  Trust  Alliance. Please  contact  LTA  for  additional  information  or  to  order  materials.

Open Space Is a Good Investment

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The Financial Argument for Open Space Preservation

Quantifying Urban Forest Structure, Function & Value:

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The Chicago Urban Forest Project

Relationship Between Urban Sprawl and Physical Activty, Obesity & Morbidty

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This ecologic study reveals that urban form could be significantly associated with some forms of physical activity and some health outcomes. More research is needed to refine measures of urban form, improve measures of physical activity, and control for other individual and environmental influences on physical activity, obesity, and related health outcomes.mains completely inactive during their leisure time.2,3 One consequence of physical inactivity—obesity—has reached epidemic

The Economic Benefits of Land Conservation, 2007

http://

This book presents their quantitative and authoritative research on the economic benefits of land conservation. It brings together for the first time scientists, economists, and researchers from all sectors—academia, government, nonprofits, and industry—to summarize the best current studies, to present new original research, and to suggest areas for further inquiry into the economic benefits of land conservation.

The Impact of Open Space and Potential Local Disamenities on Residential...

http://landuse.aers.psu.edu

This research project estimated the impact that surrounding land use and potential  local  disamenities have on residential property values in Berks County, Pennsylvania, based on 8,090 single family houses sold between 1998 and  2002.  Information on surrounding land use, proximity to potential  local disamenities, and structural attributes of the houses were used to explain variation in house  prices. Within 400 meters of the house, the land use that has the most positive impact on house price  was open space, followed by large-lot single family residential land.

The Value of Open Space: Evidence from Studies of Nonmarket Benefits

http://

This paper reviews the now quite extensive economics literature on the value of open space. This study covers more than 60 articles that use the various methodologies, published during the past roughly 25 years. The analysis focuses primarily on the value of open space in and around urbanized areas, including parks, greenbelts, natural areas and wildlife habitats, wetlands, and farmland.

Why America Needs More City Parks & Open Space

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Chesapeake Bay Riparian Handbook

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Guide for establishing & Maintaining Riparian Forest Buffers

Protecting Stream & River Corridors: Creating Riparian Buffer Ordinances

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The purpose of this paper is to support the efforts of local governments in Georgia that have made policy decisions to develop riparian buffer programs. A riparian buffer is a strip of naturally vegetated land along a stream or river which is protected to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems and to provide a range of other environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Riparian Buffer Preservation

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants

A variety of preservation tools are available to interested communities and landowners to guide and limit development along stream corridors. These tools can be designed to fit local conditions.

Riparian Forest Restoration

http://

An article studying the increased rate of forest restoration by reducing plant competition.

Countryside Conservancy Bylaws

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Revised July 12, 2007.

Generic Bylaws

http://

Generic bylaws for nonprofit organization and not land trust specific

Little Traverse Conservancy Bylaws (Michigan)

http://

revised december 1994

Cost of Community Services (Route 41 Corridor)

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Conservation Opportunities for Corridor Preservation & Community Developmnet.  Route 41 passes through or near nine communities that contain  extensive prime farmland, which is under threat by future development.  This study address such questions as (1)  How does this growth affect the ability of local governments and school districts to deliver services?    and (2) What are the impacts to the financial management and tax structures for the residents of these  municipalities and their associated school districts?

Cost of Community Services: Shrewsbury Township, York County, Pennsylvania

http://

This March 2002 report found that for every $1.00 in revenues received from farm, forest, and other open land properties in the Township, only $0.17 was spent in providing municipal services. The Township made a $0.83 profit on every $1 received from open space. 17 pages.

Open Space is a Good Investment

http://

The Financial Argument for Open Space Preservation

Rural Transportation Corridors

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Conservation Opportunities for Corridor Preservation & Community Development. Route 41 passes through or near nine communities that contain  extensive prime farmland, currently threatened by development.
This repory dummarizes what is known about the relationship between roadway improvements and land use  changes and iIdentifies some of the tools and resources that can be used to influence:

Understanding the Cost to Provide Community Services in the Town of Holland

http://

Cost of community services (COCS) studies are undertaken to examine the fiscal contribution of  various land uses in a community during a single year.  The COCS approach works by allocating  revenues and expenditures found in the local government budgets to the land uses from which  they were generated.

Serving on a Sign Ordinance Committee

http://

An excellent document to start your research on crafting a sign ordinance.  This document provides a basic understanding of sign ordinances, permissible and prohibited actions of sign ordinance committees, definitions of various sign terminology, and a brief discussion on Design Review and Design Review committees.

Conservation Capacity and Enforcement Capability

http://

How well are you meeting your commitment to protect in perpetuity the conservation values of your fee lands and easement holdings? Is your stewardship fund adequate? What should you be doing regarding enforcement funds? Download LTA’s newest report.

Land Trust Standards & Practices (2004)

http://conserveland.org/ltsc/tbs/ltasp_2004

There are several fundamental elements to running an effective, sustainable land trust organization. The Land Trust Alliance, a national organization which serves the land trust community, has compiled these fundamentals into a guidebook.

Evaluating & Selecting Conservation Proejcts

http://

This student guide is part of the Land Trust Alliance's Standards & Practices Curriculum and is designed to provided guidance and tools to implement practices 8B, 8D, 8E and 8G.

2008 Model Conservation Credit Act

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A Methodology for Valuing Town Conservation Land

http://

This paper presents a methodology for rating existing or potential conservation land according to ten criteria weighted to reflect the needs of the local community in which the land is located. The ratings may be used to determine priority for public acquisition.

Greenspace Legacy: A Call to Action in Southeastern Pennsylvania

http://www.greenspacealliance.info/conservation/GreenSpaceLegacyCallToAction.pdf

1994 - Adobe pdf file describes the benefits and threat to open space in Southeastern Pennsylvania and outlines some basic ways to protect land and promote compact, environmentally-sound development.  Gives some basic statistics about open space in metropolitan Philadelphia.

PA Rivers Registry - Online Rivers Conservation Plans

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/rivers/riversconservation/registry/

The PA Rivers Registry contains links to full-length, on-line versions of PA Rivers Conservation Plans (Adobe .pdf format) approved by PA DCNR.  Each plan is a locally-developed, watershed-based land and water conservation strategy that includes maps and inventories showing zoning, land use patterns, existing natural, historic and other relevant resources, analysis of the current condition of land and water resources, descriptions of threats to local land and water resources, Management options as well as recommendations for protecting or increasing awareness of those resources (land acquisition, facilities development, habitat restoration, educational initiatives, additional planning, etc.).  Municipalities and qualified non-profits are eligible for state funds to implement recommendations from approved plans.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Protected Lands Inventory

http://www.dvrpc.org/planning/environmental/openspace/inventory.htm

DVRPC maintains this on-line inventory of protected public and private open space in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. The inventory tracks federal, state, county and municipally owned lands, preserved farmland and privately owned protected open spaces. State, county and municipal programs preserve farms by purchasing development rights with public funds. Land trusts and conservancies protect privately owned open space lands from development by purchasing easements or by acquiring land outright with a combination of public and private monies.

DVRPC updates this inventory periodically as new information becomes available

Countryside Conservancy 2007 Annual Plan

http://

The following pages outline strategies and corresponding activities to be taken in 2007 to promote each of these goals.  The plan identifies responsible parties for each task.  This plan will be the source of annual workplans for each committee and staff member of the Conservancy.  The plan will be reviewed at year end, using the “Results” field, to assess our performance, to guide us in assembling the 2008 Annual Plan, and to help us amend and update the Strategic Plan.

KTA Strategic Plan (2006-2009)

http://

This strategic plan is the product of a series of planning sessions held between December,  2005 and February, 2006 and represents the first effort of this kind in the history of Keystone  Trails Association.  These sessions were facilitated by a team of students, under faculty  supervision, from the Nonprofit Clinic, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs,  University of Pittsburgh.  As background information to help guide the planning process, two  documents were initially prepared by the Clinic.  The first document was an Environmental Scan  which consisted of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of  Keystone Trails Association (KTA).  The second document was an Industry Analysis which  focuses on the competition facing the association from other similar organizations throughout the  United States.  These two documents are included in the Appendices.  The plan includes a newly formulated mission statement and a vision statement, the latter  of which is an articulated expression of the kind of environment relative to hiking which will be  realized in the future if KTA is successful in achieving its mission through the implementation of  this plan.  In developing its strategic plan, KTA identified a number of strategic issues which  were considered important to KTA’s survival and future effectiveness.

NPC Pre-Planning Document

http://

This report is a synthesis of information gathered from several sources and is intended to highlight key issues facing the growth and development of Northcentral PennsylvaniaConservancy.  The report draws information gathered from personal interviews, focus group meetings, a board discussion and a review of the organization’s materials.

NPC Work Plan

http://

Identifies organization's strategic goals and objectives with detailed and measurable actions.

Wildlands Conservancy 2007-2011

http://

This strategic plan will guide the organization and its activities for the next five years.  The plan will be the foundation of the direction of the organization and help align the staff and Board with the mission and activities of Wildlands Conservancy.

The Federal Law Re Donations Of Conservation Easements

http://

The Federal Law Re Donations Of Conservation Easements (and other partial interests)

Cluster: Teaching for the Future

http://www.uwsp.edu/CNR/landcenter/cluster/guide.html

The goal of Environmental Education is to help students become environmentally aware, knowledgeable, skilled, dedicated citizens who are committed to work, individually, and collectively, to defend, improve, and sustain the quality of the environment on behalf of the present and future generations of all living things.

Population Density: How Much Space Do You Have?

http://www.teachengineering.com/view_activity.php?url=http://www.teachengineering.com/collection/cub

Students learn about population density within environments and ecosystems. They determine the density of a population and think about why population density and distribution information is useful to engineers for city planning and design as well as for resource allocation.

Saving Pennsylvania For The Classroom TEACHER’S GUI DE — GRADES 7 -12

http://www.saveourlandsaveourtowns.org/classroom.html

S AVING PENNSYLVANIA is an hour-long public television documentary that illustrates the negative impacts of sprawling development and suggests better ways to grow in the future.  The program has been edited into two segments for use in middle school, high school, and college classrooms.  Both segments are contained in one 40-minute tape. An optional 4-minute introduction to a homework assignment is also included.

Youth Land Use Curriculum

http://web1.msue.msu.edu/unitedgrowth/landusecurriculum.html

In an effort to equip today's youth with the knowledge to make wise land use decisions, MSU Extension is partnering with several organizations to compile existing land use educational material into a Land Use Learning Series for upper elementary students and to train teachers how to use the materials in their classrooms. This Land Use Learning Series is tied to the Michigan Curriculum Farmework and Kent County Collaborative Core Curriculum (KC4) standards as well as the National Council for the Social Studies standards.

Kennett Township (Chester County) Timber Ordinance

http://

The Amendments to the Kennett Township Land Development Ordinance, defining generally accepted forestry terminology, setting acceptable standards and practices, esablishing different riparian buffers, etc.

Timber Harvesting in Pennylvania - Information for Citizens and Local Government Officials

http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uh097.pdf

Complete primer for individuals and local government officials who have no knowledge of timber practices.  Includes informative sections on forestry economics, products, management principles, an overview of state regulation, and how to deal with potential road damage.  Of note in the Appendix are  public and private resources and organizaitons offering forestry assistance here in the Commonwealth .

Benefit of Greenways: A Pennsylvania Study

http://

The Benefits of Pennsylvania Greenways Report will be used as a foundation for future communication and outreach efforts focusing on educating the general public regarding the benefits that are and will continue to be provided by Pennsylvania greenways.

Greenways in the USA: Theory, Trends & Prospects

http://

This chapter is organised to address several objectives:

Trail Towns: Capturing Trail-Based Tourism

http://

Recreational use of rivers and trails can bring new visitors to nearby communities.  This guide is designed to help leaders in these communities, these “Trail Towns,” take advantage of the economic opportunity that rides or walks into town. It will help you transform your town into a more inviting and memorable tourist destination, and in the
process, make your town a better place for your own residents to live, work and play. Trail Towns will take you through an organization process; help you work with or create a local group focused on downtown revitalization; give you the tools to identify what your town needs to become a Trail Town; give you ideas as you start your town’s revitalization; and give you tips on how to make your hard work last over time.

York Heritage Rail Trail County Park 2001 User Survey and Economic Impact A

http://

The Heritage Rail Trail County Park was officially opened in August of 1999. The purpose of this study, completed in 2001, was to determine the characteristics of the users of the rail trail and to determine the economic impact of the Trail on York County.

Letting the market preserve land: The case for a market-driven TDR

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?Ver=1&Exp=11-03-2007&VAULT=1&FMT=TG&DID=000000042631344&REQ=1&Cert=p

The inequalities in conventional zoning-based policies leave urban-fringe jurisdictions unable to meet the growing demand for permanently preserved open space. Allocating marketable development rights (MDR) among all landowners treats this problem directly. It also leaves open the option of allowing the market to allocate land to undeveloped uses. A simple market model is used to develop a framework that describes the mechanics of such a program; it allows for comparison with other commonly considered policies. Several concerns policy makers have raised about a market in development rights are addressed. Alternative regulatory responses to perceived market failures are presented. It is suggested that and MDR program offers significant advantages over existing preservation efforts.

Recent Trends in TDR

http://www.asu.edu/caed/proceedings02/PRUETZ/pruetz.htm

This paper reviews the TDR concept and those factors typically found in the most successful TDR programs. It then summarizes the current status of some classic TDR programs and describes some innovations developed by recently discovered TDR programs. Some of these innovations were designed to improve the effectiveness of the TDR program after adoption and some were intended to facilitate adoption itself.

TDR Fact Sheet

http://www.1000fom.org/lctools5.htm

Basic background information.

Transfer of Development Rights in U.S. Communities

http://

This report relied heavily on conversations with local planners, consultants, land use attorneys, and officials at land trusts in the communities under study. The report would not have been possible without the information, data, and insights that they offered.

Protecting Special Places & Building Healthy Communities

http://

Pennsylvania's land conservation community developed the working paper Protecting Special Places and Building Healthy Communities: A Conservation Strategy for Pennsylvania in 2003. It has been endorsed by 70 conservation organizations