WeConservePA has published three new guides at ConservationTools.org. The content of each is briefly described below.
Adverse Possession in Pennsylvania
A long-time trespasser may gain ownership of land by using it with no documented challenge for 21 years. Landowners can avoid this threat with some good, basic practices. (link, 7 pages)
Adding to Land Under Conservation Easement
A landowner has land under conservation easement and is ready to conserve more of their nearby property. How best to carry this out? This guide describes three approaches and includes a model document to help implement one of the alternatives. (link, 8 pages)
This guide complements other WeConservePA guidance related to easement amendments:
- Model Amendment of Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants
- Guide and Model Policy for Conservation Easement Amendment
- Amending and Restating Grants of Conservation Easement: Best Practices to Document Changes
- Amending Grants of Conservation Easement: Legal Considerations for Land Trusts
Trapped in a Contract: Don’t Get Burned by Evergreen and Automatic Renewal Clauses
Organizations should be wary of draconian renewal clauses that are sometimes embedded in seemingly innocuous contracts. If an organization enters into a contract containing such a clause, the organization should have a management system in place to ensure that crucial dates for action are not missed. (link, 2 pages)
